NOT IN over ten years have we witnessed a race for the Premier League title as exciting as the one that we are in the midst of this season.

The three teams at the summit of the English top flight are separated by just two points, having all played the same number of games.

It promises to be one of the most thrilling run-ins in Premier League history; the like not seen since Manchester United won the championship in their incredible treble-winning season of 1999. Then, they pipped Arsenal to the post by a single point, while Chelsea, pre-Abramovich, were three points further back in third.

It is the very same triumvirate that are standing toe-to-toe this year, with everything still to play for.

Manchester United have the advantage of having their noses in front, by one point, from Chelsea, while Arsenal are snapping at their heels in third.

Given Sir Alex Ferguson’s side’s unmatched steely composure as the business end of the season approaches, it is easy to see why many bookmakers make them favourites for a fourth successive crown – a feat that has not yet been achieved since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues have the debatable advantage of being able to focus almost entirely on their league exploits, given their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan last week. The FA Cup still commands their interest but it is the thought of league glory that will dominate much of the Italian’s thoughts.

And then there is Arsenal. Written off on at least two occasions already this season, given their four defeats against the top two, Arsene Wenger’s young band of men have equipped themselves brilliantly in the last two months to ensure that they are hanging on to the frontrunners’ coat-tails, while it is they that have the easiest run-in on paper.

So, where do I think the Premier League title will go?

Manchester United and Chelsea must face each other; United must travel to noisy neighbours Manchester City and Champions League-chasing Tottenham; Chelsea must travel to Liverpool and Spurs, while a home clash against Aston Villa this weekend is no home banker. There are a number of potential banana skins for the top two and, given that one or both teams must drop points when they meet in just over a week’s time, there will be an opportunity for Arsenal to sneak in and win their first title in six years.

A trip to fierce rivals Tottenham and a home game against Manchester City are the two trickiest games they must negotiate.

My money is on the Gunners sneaking in under the radar and pipping both United and Chelsea to the post.

The destination of the title has sparked an animated debate on the Guardian’s sports desk, and all three of us have submitted our thoughts about how the final seven games will pan out and who we think will end the season as champions.

Ross

Arsenal:
Current: 67 points Projected: 86 points

v Birmingham (a): W
v Wolves (h): W
v Tottenham (a): D
v Wigan (a): W
v Man City (h): W
v Blackburn (a): W
v Fulham (h): W

Manchester United:
Current: 69 points Projected: 84 points

v Bolton (a): W
v Chelsea (h): D
v Blackburn (a): W
v Man City (a): D
v Tottenham (h): D
v Sunderland (a): W
v Stoke (h) W

Chelsea:
Current: 68 points Projected: 80 points

v Aston Villa (h): D
v Manchester United (a): D
v Bolton (h): W
v Tottenham (a): L
v Stoke (h): W
v Liverpool (a): D
v Wigan (h): W

Paul

Chelsea
Current: 68 points Projected: 85 points

v Aston Villa (h): W
v Man Utd (a): W
v Bolton (a): W
v Tottenham (a): D
v Stoke (h): W
v Liverpool (a): D
v Wigan (h): W

Manchester United
Current: 69 points Projected: 83 points

v Bolton (a): D
v Chelsea (h): L
v Blackburn (a): W
v Manchester City (a): W
v Tottenham (h): W
v Sunderland (a): D
v Stoke (h): W

Arsenal
Current: 67 points Projected: 82 points

v Birmingham (a): D
v Wolves (h): W
v Tottenham (a): W
v Wigan (a): D
v Manchester City (h): D
v Blackburn (a): W
v Fulham (a): W

Dominic

Final table

1st Manchester United 88 points
2nd Arsenal 84 points
3rd Chelsea 81 points

Get involved in the debate: Who do you think is going to finish top of the pile come May? Leave your comment below.