Even a win for Manchester United at Sunderland on Sunday is unlikely to guarantee Sir Alex Ferguson's side their 20th league title.
Despite being equal with league leaders Manchester City on points, the Red Devils are eight goals worse off than the local rivals.
They will need something close to a miracle from Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium if they are to snatch the crown from their neighbours.
Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans are all sidelined for United, with Phil Jones and Rafael da Silva expected to come into the defence.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats have no new injury worries going into the match at the Stadium of Light.
Current form:
Sunderland: DLDDDL
Man Utd: WLWDLW
Possible lineups:
Sunderland: Mignolet; O'Shea, Turner, Kilgallon, Bardsley; Gardner, Cattermole, Colback, McClean; Sessegnon, Bendtner
Man Utd: De Gea; Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, da Silva; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Young; Hernandez, Rooney
Sports Mole says: 0-2
Jack Prescott
