Football fixtures: Could the last four games decide it?

The Premier League is looking as tight as ever at the top. But as the top four teams battle it out for every last point, could it start to look increasingly like the final football fixtures of the 2011/12 season will be the ones that decide who takes home the trophy?

As it stands, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea are all keen to give away nothing. And despite a couple of hiccups before the end of the year from the teams up north, all will now be very aware things could easily go right down to the wire. Here’s a look at the last four games of the season for each of the top clubs.

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini’s men have started the New Year on a high having knocked three past Liverpool, but will have to keep up this momentum for a few months yet if they are to take the title. On Saturday 21 April they head to Molineuxto take on Wolves before hosting neighbours United at Eastlands for what could be the most dramatic game of the season. After that, May brings an away trip to Newcastle before the final game of the season against QPR.

Manchester United

The reigning champions breathed a sigh of relief when their noisy neighbours at City failed to take advantage of their shock loss at home to struggling Blackburn, but there are other football results to think about now the Blues are apparently back on goal-scoring form. On 21 April United have a home game against Everton before the huge Manchester derby the following week. Then it’s two mid-table opponents in Swansea at Old Trafford and Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Tottenham

Spurs were able to keep things pretty consistent over the Christmas break, but Harry Redknapp will be keen to turn their points-losing draws into wins between now and May. For the last four games of the season they will come up against QPR at Loftus Road, Blackburn at White Hart Lane and Aston Villa at Villa Park before finishing the season with a London derby at home to Fulham. It’s not the most terrifying of run-ins, but Harry will know there’s work to be done before then if they are to stay in contention.

Chelsea

Out of the four teams, it could be argued that Chelsea face the toughest matches to finish out the season – which could be a problem if they manage to position themselves well for the title. After a big away day at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, it’s a west London derby at Stamford Bridge and a big trip up north to face Liverpool at Anfield – a tough place to go if Kenny Dalglish’s men are chasing a European spot come May. Finally, they face Blackburn at home, which might not be so easy if Rovers are still battling against relegation.