Avram Grant struck a bullish note on the eve of today’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United by claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are faltering in sight of the finish line because of the pressure Chelsea are exerting.

A win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime would take them level on points with United at the top of the table with two matches left. United’s superior goal difference means that the destiny of the title will remain in their hands whatever today’s result, but Grant is convinced that the champions are feeling the strain. “You saw what happened last week with their games,” Chelsea’s first-team coach said. “It’s not easy to play under this pressure. They’ve drawn twice in the last three games because we put this pressure on them. I’m optimistic by nature. Now we need to do our job.”

Ferguson’s free-scoring team have stuttered in recent weeks, dropping points away to Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers — and requiring late equalisers to do so — although in between those setbacks they put an end to Arsenal’s title aspirations with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have surprised many by shrugging off their internal problems to stay in the race for so long and, after dead-batting questions for much of the season, Grant stuck his neck out yesterday and predicted that if his team do beat United today, they will go on to win the Barclays Premier League.

“If we win against them, anything can happen,” he said. “We have to do that. If we win, we’ll be very happy and we’d be happy at the end of the season. But first we need to win [today].”

Chelsea’s opponents in Grant’s 50th match in charge are the same as in his first, presenting a good opportunity to gauge their progress under his leadership since he controversially replaced José Mourinho in September last year. The Israeli insists that Chelsea have made great strides, blaming defeat at Old Trafford in his first match on the decision by Mike Dean, the referee, to send off John Obi Mikel.

“You remember the situation we were in,” Grant said. “I’m very proud of the players and the staff for what we did. When you’re behind and you’ve lost so many points, each game is vital. All we want to show now is that we can win.

“Because of the situation, we didn’t deserve to win there [at Old Trafford]. It was my first game in charge and I’d only had one day’s training. We didn’t play badly. We lost to the referee.”

Mikel is expected to replace Claude Makelele today, and Michael Essien also returns for Chelsea, in place of Frank Lampard, who is on compassionate leave.

Ferguson will also make changes from the side that drew the Champ-ions League semi-final, first leg in Barcelona. Nemanja Vidic’s recovery from a stomach problem allows Owen Hargreaves to move back into midfield, where Anderson is expected to return. But the United manager knows the importance of today’s game. “This is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season because, quite simply, none of the ones that have gone previously can measure up to what can be achieved,” Ferguson said. “The incentives for both teams are amazing and it should be a great game.”

United can effectively seal the championship — a remarkable tenth in 16 seasons for Ferguson — by inflicting Chelsea’s first home league defeat in 80 matches.