Despite Dave Whelan’s undying love for Fergie, Wigan are capable of an upset

Tuesday’s Daily Mail ran with some intriguing facts and myths about the brain - not the big issues, such as why their readers have such difficulty with the concept of people from Africa and Eastern Europe or the residents of council estates - but “fun” facts, such as “Exercise helps keep your brain fit.” Were this true, Premier League footballers would be amongst the nation’s most mentally agile, yet any post-match interview culled at random from the thousands performed each season would demonstrate that this is patently not so. However, as the season reaches its dramatic climax - one chair, two arses, music stops Sunday - mental toughness has become the key theme of pre-game chatter. Chelsea have “the momentum”, whereas United have to go and play in a potato field at Wigan. John Terry says Chelsea have “a steely determination”, whereas the Guardian believes Alex Ferguson will be “frowning”. The fact that at this late stage Chelsea are still pressed up against United like a sex-pest commuter must be driving the reds mad with irritation.

Using this logic and a shed load of statistics, the boys at chickendinner believe Chelsea will crush Bolton, and take the league title too. Disagree? Then back United here, smart arse.

The statistics

* Manchester United haven’t won any of their last four away games in all competitions.* They have failed to win their final away game

Enterprising Latics selling tickets at 1,000% mark-up

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has done all that he can to make sure United have a super comfy stay in Greater Manchester this Sunday. Firstly, he cancelled a mid-week rugby game to make sure the surface was all lovely and smooth. Then, instead of sounding a war cry to his title-hungry opponents, he has told Sky Sports he would be ‘delighted’ to see Steve Bruce take over from Alex Ferguson this summer, should he retire.

Fergie and Whelan already have a solid relationship - the United gaffer was the guest of honour when the JJB opened in 1999, and according to various made up sources, the chairman sometimes lets the red-faced Scotsman tickle his belly like a cat.

Now, the Wigan supporters are doing their bit to bring Alex Ferguson his tenth title. According to The Guardian, Manchester Utd’s 4,928 allocation sold out last month, but Wigan expect as many as 20,000 extra Red Devils to be locked