Updated at 01.23

WITH JUST A few games left for each team, the Premier League is approaching its climax.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to assess the title contenders and look in detail at how it may or may not pan out…

What do Chelsea need to win it?

Put simply, to be guaranteed the title, Chelsea need 12 points (i.e. four wins) in their final seven matches to triumph.

Their concluding games are against Man United (h), Arsenal (a), Leicester (a), Crystal Palace (h), Liverpool (h), West Brom (a) and Sunderland (h).

So technically, they can afford to lose to Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal, and still have their fate in their own hands.

How can Arsenal win the league?

Chelsea are currently seven points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand.

To give themselves the best chance possible, the Gunners will need to beat Chelsea (h), Hull (a), Swansea (h), Man United (a), Sunderland (h) and West Brom (h).

So the best tally they can possibly hope for is 84 points, while the maximum Chelsea can get is 94.

Consequently, in addition to beating Chelsea themselves, they could win the title if they prevail in other games and the Blues lose two further games — against Liverpool and Man United, for instance — as well as dropping points in one of their other four games.

They could also win on goal difference in the unlikely scenario that both sides finish level on points. Arsenal would need to improve in that regard however, as their currently seven goals behind Chelsea.

Can United still triumph?

Yes, even if it’s highly unlikely.

Their maximum prospective points tally is 83. So even if Chelsea lose three and draw one of their remaining matches seven matches, United would still only be able to win the league by virtue of a superior goal difference (the Red Devils are currently at +29, while Chelsea are +38, so even that seems unlikely.

So they basically need to win all their games — against Chelsea (a), Everton (a), West Brom (h), Crystal Palace (a), Arsenal (h) and Hull (a) — and hope for an improbable Chelsea collapse.

Is there any hope for Man City?

Technically yes, but realistically no. Manuel Pellegrini’s side would be relying on all three of Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal to have very bad finishes to the season.

The highest points they can finish on is 79, so Chelsea need just two wins and a draw at most from their final seven games to officially end City’s title bid.

Has as commanding a lead as Chelsea’s ever been blown before in the history of the Premier League?

There have been a few dramatic collapses.

The most notable were probably Newcastle in 1995-96 and Man United in 2011-12.

The Magpies established a 12-point lead at the top in January in the fourth year of the Premier League’s existence, but United ultimately won the title by four points after an exciting finish.

Similarly, United were eight points ahead of City with six games to play in 2012, but were ultimately pipped to the title on goal difference.

A Chelsea slip-up this season, however, would arguably be even more shocking than the two aforementioned outcomes.

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