Title Race: Game By Game

With eight games to play, we can say with some certainty that the Barclays Premier League trophy will end up in Manchester. Rather less clear, however, is which colour ribbons will adorn it.

As things stand, United sit in pole position, three points clear. But by the time the Reds next kick a ball, City could well have wrestled back the advantage. That sort of see-saw scenario - one team pulling ahead, the other regaining ground - could be repeated a number of times between now and the end of the season. And whoever plays first tends to have an advantage: after all, they can set the pace and pile on the pressure.

Here we cast an eye over each team's remaining fixtures to see where the title race may be won or lost...

Sat 31 Mar - City v Sunderland (15:00) | Mon 2 Apr - Blackburn v United (20:00)
City play a full two days before United this weekend and will be looking for a 16th straight win at home this season; the Etihad has been a fortress in 2011/12. Despite never having recorded a win on City’s patch in the Premier League, Sunderland will be buoyed by their dramatic 1-0 win over the Blues at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, the Reds need to stop the rot at Ewood Park: we’ve won just two of our last 11 games there.

Sun 8 Apr - United v QPR (13:30) | Sun 8 Apr - City v Arsenal (16:00)
United's Barclays Premier League record against QPR makes for good reading: played nine, won seven, drawn two. QPR are certainly in need of points in their fight to survive, but Mark Hughes’ men have won just three on the road this term and lost 10 of their 15 away games. Hot on the heels of United's game finishing at Old Trafford, all eyes will be trained on the Emirates where City meet in-form Arsenal. The Blues have not won in the league at the Gunners’ home since October 1975, although they did manage a 1-0 victory in the Carling Cup back in November.

Wed 11 Apr - Wigan v United (19:45) | Wed 11 Apr - City v West Brom (19:45)
On paper, United are odds-on to pick up three points at Wigan, having won each of the 14 competitive matches against the Latics. Like the Reds, though, Wigan need points. But with only one league win at the DW Stadium (and the league's worst home scoring record), it looks an uphill task. On the same night, at the same time, City host West Brom, a side the Blues have beaten just twice in five games at home. The Baggies have been excellent on the road this season with six wins, but results all-round have dipped of late.

Sat 14 Apr - Norwich v City (12:45) | Sun 15 Apr - United v Villa (16:00)
City play first on this occasion in a lunchtime clash against the Canaries, who were soundly beaten 5-1 at the Etihad in December. Mancini’s men won on their last league trip to Carrow Road 3-2, in 2005, and while Norwich have hit a bit of sticky patch in the league recently, they've only lost once at home in the league – to us – since December. United, meanwhile, play host to Villa 24 hours later – a team that's managed just one win at Old Trafford in their last 27 attempts. Phil Jones’ first Reds goal was the difference between the sides at Villa Park earlier this term.

Sat 22 Apr - United v Everton (16:00) | Sat 22 Apr - Wolves v City (16:00)
With the matches kicking off simultaneously, both sets of fans will be anxious to know what’s happening elsewhere. United play host to Everton, a side who have won just once at Old Trafford in their last 20 visits, while City face a trip to Wolves. On paper that looks like an easy fixture for Mancini’s men (and the Blues did win 5-2 there in the Carling Cup earlier this season), but Wolves have come out on top in two of the last three league fixtures at Molineux.

Mon 20 Apr - City v United (20:00)
The biggest Manchester derby ever? It’s a label that’s been attached to plenty of United-City fixtures in recent years but this time it might actually be true. There’s the potential for this game to act as a title decider and United fans couldn’t dream of a better place to win the league. But City’s home record is seriously impressive... although the Reds did win there in the FA Cup in January. This one’s too close to call.

Sun 6 May - United v Swansea (14:00) | Sun 6 May - Newcastle v City (14:00)
Sir Alex’s men welcome a promoted side (albeit a Swansea outfit who have earned plenty of plaudits) to Old Trafford while Manchester City are forced to make what’s traditionally one of the trickier trips in the league. Newcastle, on their day, are one of the best footballing sides in the country and in Demba Ba and Papa Cisse possess two of the league’s form forwards. You do have to go back five seasons, however, to find the last time Newcastle beat City at St James’ Park.

Sun 13 May - City v QPR (15:00) | Sun 13 May - Sunderland v United (15:00)
Will the title race be over by the time the final day rolls around? If not, City will certainly fancy their chances of beating relegation-threatened QPR at home, despite having to come from behind to claim three points against the Londoners back in November. United, meanwhile, may need to grind out a win against a Sunderland side who have already beaten Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal (FA Cup) at home this term. The Reds’ last result at the Stadium of Light: a drab 0-0 draw.