Football Betting: Premier League title run-in

Manchester United were undoubtedly the happiest of the Big Four on Sunday after they finished the weekend five points clear at the top of the Premier League - a situation has made them as short as 1/4 to retain the title. United overcame fourth-placed Liverpool 3-0 after the Reds shot themselves in the foot by losing their discipline and, along with it, midfielder Javier Mascherano - who was sent off a minute before half-time for dissent. Arsenal needed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time in over four years to reduce United's lead at the top to three points but, despite taking the lead in an exciting London derby, lost 2-1 - and in all probability their title hopes. Four weeks ago the Gunners were 8/11 to win the Premier League after they took a five-point lead in the English top flight, but four draws and a defeat - their worst run in five years - has seen the chasing pack close in on them and all but swallow them up. Arsenal, this column's 12-1 antepost tip to win the title, are now back to the same price with Canbet to claim their first championship win since 2004, as they find themselves six points behind United and one shy of Chelsea, who leapfrogged the Gunners into second place with the win at the weekend. Chelsea are 7/2 with Canbet to win their third title in four years, although you can get 5/1 elsewhere if you look hard enough, but with United enjoying a superior goal difference and a benign run-in, in terms of their remaining seven games, few punters would back against Sir Alex Ferguson's men. United do still have to go to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have a remarkable unbeaten record, and they must also host Arsenal in two weeks' time. However, the onus will be on Arsenal to go all out to win. And even if they do succumb to Arsene Wenger's side they still have points and goal difference in hand. Arsenal's final stretch of games is arguably the toughest. They must also play Liverpool, in between their two Champions League quarter-finals with Rafa Benitez's side, while trips to relegation-threatened Bolton and Sunderland and the visit of Everton will not make for easy contests. Chelsea probably have the easiest fixture list of all and their home record makes them the most realistic challengers to United's crown. Both United (who face Roma) and Arsenal have tougher European matches in prospect than the Blues, who have been drawn against outsiders Fenerbahce in the Champions League quarter-finals, and if anyone can creep up on the rails its unsung Avram Grant's blue army. Verdict: 1pt Chelsea to win Premier League @ 5/1 Final run-in: Man United: Villa (a), Boro (h), Arsenal (h), Blackburn (a), Chelsea (a), West Ham (h), Wigan (h) Chelsea: Boro (h), Man City (a), Wigan (h), Everton (a), Man Utd (h), Newcastle (a), Bolton (h) Arsenal: Bolton (a). Liverpool (h), Man Utd (a), Reading (h), Derby (a), Everton (h), Sunderland (a) Liverpool: Everton (h), Arsenal (a), Blackburn (h), Fulham (a), Birmingham (a), Man City (h), Tottenham (h)