Top and bottom situations

With only eight matches to go for the end of the 2006/07 Premier League campaign, one has to be somewhat optimistic to put his money on Chelsea retaining their title as leaders Manchester United are currently enjoying a six-point lead at the top of the standings with a better goal difference than the champions.

United's stiffest hurdles were away at Fulham and Liverpool and, riding the luck expected from clubs in line for the honours, they did not drop a single point from the two matches.

Their three league defeats so far came against Arsenal home 0-1 (September 17), West Ham away 0-1 (December 16) and Arsenal away 1-2 (January 21).

Chelsea, along with Arsenal, are the only sides in the Premiership that have not lost at home. The Blues' record stretches back to Jose Mourinho's arrival... almost three years ago.

Like United, Chelsea have also been defeated three times this season (all away) - vs Middlesbrough 1-2 (August 23), vs Tottenham 1-2 (November 5) and vs Liverpool 0-2 (January 20).

The difference between the two front-runners lies in the number of drawn matches. Here, Chelsea have dropped 12 points and Manchester United six. The latter have a goal difference of +50 compared to Chelsea's +35.

United's ambitious treble target took another boost with their progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They play Watford after having ousted Middlesbrough in a quarter-final replay.

Chelsea are also on the same track after beating Tottenham in last Monday's quarter-final replay.

Remaining fixtures

Manchester United
March 31: Home vs Blackburn
April 4: Away vs Roma - (Champions League quarter-final)
April 7: Away vs Portsmouth
April 10: Home vs Roma - (Champions League quarter-final)
April 14: Villa Park vs Watford - (FA Cup semi-final)
April 17: Home vs Sheffield United
April 21: Home vs Middlesbrough
April 28: Away vs Everton
May 5: Away vs Manchester City
May 9: Away vs Chelsea
May 13: Home vs West Ham

Chelsea
March 31: Away vs Watford
April 4: Chelsea vs Valencia - (Champions League quarter-final)
April 7: Home vs Tottenham
April 10: Away vs Valencia - (Champions League quarter-final)
April 14: Old Trafford vs Blackburn - (FA Cup semi-final)
April 18: Away vs West Ham
April 21: Away vs Newcastle
April 28: Home vs Bolton
May 5: Away vs Arsenal
May 9: Home vs Manchester United
May 13: Home vs Everton

Fierce fight

A fierce battle is expected at the bottom of the classification as this season's demoted trio will all be out of the equation when clubs in the top flight will start getting a bigger share from a new TV rights deal in 2007/08.

Watford, West Ham, Charlton and Sheffield United will have to fight hard to escape the dreaded drop.

Four more clubs can easily be involved in the mayhem for survival. These are Wigan, Manchester City, Fulham and Aston Villa.

Sheffield United
March 31: Away vs Bolton
April 7: Home vs Newcastle
April 14: Home vs West Ham
April 17: Away vs Man. United
April 21: Away vs Charlton
April 28: Home vs Watford
May 5: Away vs Aston Villa
May 13: Home vs Wigan

Charlton
March 31: Home vs Wigan
April 6: Away vs Manchester City
April 9: Home vs Reading
April 15: Away vs Everton
April 21: Home vs Sheffield United
April 28: Away vs Blackburn
May 5: Home vs Tottenham
May 13: Away vs Liverpool

West Ham
March 31: Home vs Middlesbrough
April 7: Away vs Arsenal
April 14: Away vs Sheffield United
April 18: Home vs Chelsea
April 21: Home vs Everton
April 28: Away vs Wigan
May 5: Home vs Bolton
May 13: Away vs Man. United

Watford
March 31: Home vs Chelsea
April 7: Away vs Middlesbrough
April 9: Home vs Portsmouth
April 14: Villa Park vs Man. United - (FA Cup semi-final)
April 18: Away vs Blackburn
April 21: Home vs Manchester City
April 28: Away vs Sheffield United
May 5: Away vs Reading
May 13: Home vs Newcastle