Manchester City enters the final straight of its title duel with Manchester United this weekend with the Premier League leader launching a challenging run-in with an awkward trip to Swansea.
While City has maintained its two-point lead at the top, the team has been unable to stretch its advantage over second-placed United, which has clung stubbornly to its coat-tails in recent weeks.
A growing body of opinion is backing the notion that United is now favourite to retain its title thanks to a run-in that appears to be significantly less challenging than that of City.
After demolishing Tottenham 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday, United now has only one game left this season against opponents ranked in the top seven — the potential title-decider at Eastlands on April 30.
City by contrast still has to play the likes of Chelsea at home while travelling to in-form Arsenal and sixth-placed Newcastle.
City's immediate focus, however, is its trip to Wales to face a Swansea side which has already taken points off of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium this season.
And Swansea striker Danny Graham has warned that the promoted side is ready to blow the title race wide-open on Sunday.
Kompany out
City will be without skipper Vincent Kompany who suffered a calf injury in Thursday's 1-0 Europa League defeat at Sporting Lisbon.
United, which was also beaten in Europe when Athletic Bilbao grabbed a 3-2, last 16 first leg win, will attempt to maintain the pressure on City as it entertains West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Sir Alex Ferguson was purring with pleasure after last weekend's victory over Tottenham, although the United manager is adamant that the run-in will have plenty more twists and turns for both sides.
Elsewhere this weekend, Chelsea will attempt to get its hopes of a top-four finish back on track against Stoke after a traumatic few weeks which culminated with the sacking of manager Andre Villas-Boas last weekend.
Chelsea icon John Terry is expected to return from injury for Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge after making a quicker-than-expected return following knee surgery.
Terry said Chelsea's problems on and the off the pitch had made him determined to return to action as quickly as possible.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will attempt to bounce back from consecutive league defeats against Arsenal and United when it travels to Everton, which is currently unbeaten in eight games. Everton's last defeat came against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in January.
Spurs is now nervously looking over its shoulders at Arsenal, which has moved to within four points of ots north London rival.
Arsenal, which made a valiant exit from the Champions League in midweek when it defeated AC Milan 3-0, entertains Newcastle at the Emirates on Monday.
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said the club were determined to overhaul Tottenham for third place.
