Change is in the air in the big five European leagues, with the possibility of new champions in at least four of them, but most of the current leaders have not sealed the deal yet. There is only a one-point lead in England, Italy and Spain (where Barcelona are the only current champions among the big five on top again this season) and the closing games are going to be a test of nerve as much as skill.
Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich (who lead by two in Germany) all hold pole position thanks to recent away wins against their nearest rivals, but now they need to press home their advantage. All three face easy tasks this weekend and can expect another three points, and so can the nearest pursuers in Spain (Real Madrid) and Germany (Schalke), which means the greatest potential for a title-deciding change is in the English Premier League when Manchester United host fourth-placed Tottenham tonight.
This is a must-win game for United - and for Tottenham as they try to hold on to the place that will qualify them for the Champion League. The defending champions will need to be on guard against a buoyant Tottenham coming off back-to-back wins that put a hole in Arsenal's title challenge and a dent in Chelsea's.
The difference this time is that Tottenham are away from the home comforts of White Hart Lane, where they have beaten four of the other six teams in the top seven this season and lost only to United, who won the reverse fixture 3-1 in September despite Tottenham taking a first-minute lead.
Tottenham are far less effective against the top teams on the road with only one point from four road trips to top-seven teams and comprehensive defeats at Chelsea, Arsenal (both 3-0) and Liverpool (2-0). Tottenham have already been to Old Trafford this season, losing 2-0 in a Carling Cup tie in December, and their long-term flakiness on the road is clear in a poor record away to United, with 14 defeats and just three draws from 17 visits in the Premier League.
Punters looking for a bet on this match should look for United wins to nil (another 2-0 being a reasonable choice) and the champions to cover the handicap.