Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate to end the title race as soon as possible
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Chelsea still believe and even Arsenal have not given up hope entirely but Manchester United can put an end (virtually) to the discussions about the destination of the English title this weekend.
By the time they kick off at Arsenal their lead could well be cut to three points, if Chelsea beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, and that could put a bit more pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson's side than otherwise.
But I don't think it will matter and with Arsenal's spirit surely broken by a run of two draws and a defeat in their past three games - and the subsequent nine-point deficit to United at the top - they look a great price at 15/8 to win at the Emirates Stadium.
Considering that they have a second leg of the Champions League semi-finals to play next week, it might have been tempting for Ferguson to rest some players but while he will doubtless rotate, he won't have to go the whole hog because of his side's 2-0 win in Germany and their utter dominance of a very average Schalke side.
Cambers' Calls
- Bet of the weekend: Manchester United to win at Arsenal - 15/8 bet365
- Weekend punt: West Ham United to win at Manchester City - 8/1 bet365
- Weekend treble - Chelsea and Liverpool to win, West Brom v A Villa to be draw - 6/1 bet365
Ferguson will be able to put out a team strong enough to win at Arsenal and though they don't have to win - always a very important consideration when betting - they would like nothing more than to stay six points clear of Chelsea and effectively render their meeting with the Blues as irrelevant.
Arsenal may say they will keep going until the end but I just don't believe it. Their heads were down after their defeat at Bolton because they knew that was it. They are, of course, talented enough to win any game but at the odds, United have to be the bet of the weekend.
Regular readers of this column will know that I often go out on a limb with the weekend punt and it often bites me in the face. But that's the point - it's an unlikely bet that could happen - and indeed has happened at times this season and last.
But it's about picking a bet that is a good price that has a chance and so this weekend's choice is West Ham United to win at Manchester City. I know, I know, but give me a chance to explain.
City are chasing that fourth place and a Champions League berth so their minds should be focused but they will still have half a thought on the FA Cup final, coming up next month. Moreover, they are without Carlos Tevez through injury and the Argentina forward is the source of so much that's good about their play.
Anyone who saw West Ham lose to Chelsea last weekend will have noted how well they played. They should have scored at least twice, perhaps three times after Chelsea took the early lead and they were desperately unlucky to concede three goals that time.
If, and I admit it's a big if, especially away from home, they can score first then I really feel we could see an upset. They are absolute desperate for points and while a draw would be a great result, let's go for the win, which is an 8/1 chance with bet365.
And so to the treble. Chelsea have to beat Tottenham to stay alive in the title race and with Fernando Torres finally off the mark I think they will do just that so take them at 1/2 with bet365 to start things off.
Liverpool will surely beat Newcastle United at Anfield - they always do and they are in form and looking good despite a rash of injuries, so take them at 4/9. And the derby clash between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa can end in a draw, at 23/10.
Put those three together and you get a treble that works out at about 6/1, which is pretty good, if you ask me. Good luck!
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent
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Simon Cambers
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant
