Don’t mind the gap

The Liverpool v United game tomorrow is a big game in terms of the destination of the title. A United win will give them a huge boost going into the final ten games of the season. A Liverpool win will give Chelsea a real chance of catching United. A draw will probably suit both teams – and the smart money must surely be on a spicy stalemate – but will allow Chelsea to gain ground on United when they face Portsmouth later on in the day.

But this talk of a potential 12-point gap is nonsense. Yes, United could go 12 points clear, but Chelsea will have two games in hand. And given their strength and consistency, you would reasonably expect them to pick up 6 points from those two games.

So United are realistically only 6 points clear. A win tomorrow will allow them to maintain that lead, assuming Chelsea win the two games they’ll have in hand (and they have won 67% of their games this season). A draw, and Chelsea can close the gap to 4 points. A defeat, and Chelsea can close the gap to 3 points.

So don’t listen to anyone who tells you a United win will effectively secure them the title. There’s still an awfully long way to go.