Andy Gray

If I were a Wigan player this weekend, I would love the chance to spoil Manchester United's party. I would be saying 'if you want to win it, you earn it, you're not going to get it handed to you on a plate'.

The same goes for Steve Bruce. I'm sure he would be delighted to see United win the title with the attachment he has to the club, but the key word there is 'win'. He's a proud man and he will not want anyone to think that he could have done more to make it a fairer fight.

I was disappointed with the manner in which Alan Curbishley approached last weekend's game, but while West Ham are in relegation form at the moment, Wigan are a team who have bloodied the noses of the other three big sides this season and, under Bruce, have become a team that is very difficult to beat - particularly at home.

United may not have to go to Anfield or the Emirates to win the title, but they are going to a really tough place where there will be a massive crowd and a team desperate to prove that they can compete with the best of the country. And remember, Wigan don't need to beat United to spoil their day...they may only have to make it very, very difficult.

All the pressure is on United. They might say that the title is in their hands, but that means that the title is theirs to blow. They've already crumbled in recent weeks and dropped points against Blackburn and Middlesbrough as well as losing that pivotal game at Stamford Bridge.

On a normal day you would obviously back United against Wigan but the final day is nothing like a normal day. We all remember 1995 when United had chance after chance to beat West Ham but failed to hand the title to Blackburn. This is a United side that does not have a fantastic away record so you would have to say that there's a far greater chance of an upset at Wigan than there is at Stamford Bridge.

That said, I would still back United to get over the finishing line - I just don't think anyone should be under the illusion that all they need to do is turn up.

I do think they will need the win because I just can't see Chelsea failing to beat Bolton. They are playing the kind of football in recent weeks that suggests that although they don't think the title is up for grabs, they're determined to be in the right place to ask the questions. Coming from behind means that they will be playing without pressure, and they'll still be playing without pressure on Sunday as United are the massive favourites. Chelsea have nothing to lose because United have practically had their names engraved on the trophy for the last three months.

I have been so impressed with Chelsea in recent weeks and I'm convinced that part of the reason is that they have so many players peaking at the right time - players like Michael Ballack, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Frank Lampard are not burnt out because they haven't played full seasons. Contrast that with United and you'll see why the Blues look stronger.

It's all set up for a fantastic climax and I will be at Wigan on Sunday, where I expect to see the Premier League trophy awarded. But not without a few twists and turns along the way...

*****

But if you want to talk about real pressure, forget about the top two and look at the bottom of the table. These players are playing for their careers and the club's future. The teams that go down may never recover.

I know Roy Hodgson well and I'm delighted at the progress made by Fulham in recent weeks. Mind you, I know and like the other two managers involved as well and it's a pity that two of the three are going to have to say goodbye to the Premier League.

I do worry about Birmingham because I can't see a situation in which neither Reading or Fulham win. I think Alex McLeish has struggled to adapt because although he is a very experienced manager in Scotland, he doesn't have great first-hand knowledge of the Premier League.

That perhaps has led to him being a bit naive - Bruce cleverly took Wilson Palacios from him before he had really had time to make a judgement, and that is a decision he could be regretting right now.

But I know Big Eck and I know one thing - if they do go down, I would bet big money that they will come flying back again next season.