Man United look for Bolton favour

MANCHESTER, Apr 13 (Reuters) Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is hoping near neighbours Bolton Wanderers can do his side a favour by beating Chelsea on Saturday to keep the Premier League title race alive.

United face bottom club Sunderland at Old Trafford tomorrow when a 10th successive league victory, which would also confirm Sunderland's relegation, will trim Chelsea's seven-point lead at the top of the table and put more pressure on the champions.

''First of all if we do our job we will be four points behind them and they go to Bolton,'' Ferguson told a news conference today.

''I think we all know Bolton is the not the easiest place to go to.

''I'm really hopeful that Bolton can do us a turn and if they do get a draw or a Bolton win it's a massive turn-round in the championship race.'' Bolton helped United clinch the title in 2003 when they came from behind to draw at home to challengers Arsenal during the end-of-season run-in.

Ferguson expects Chelsea to find it equally difficult at the Reebok Stadium, where United have been one of only two teams to win in the league this season.

He added: ''They (Bolton) have an outside chance of being in the Champions League and a good chance of being in the UEFA Cup.

''You know the kind of players they have got. They are honest and honest players usually keep to a level that never disappoints you.'' BROWN RECALL Ferguson believes the title race is ''pretty exciting now'', with Chelsea having seen their 18-point advantage over United whittled down and with the two teams still to meet at Stamford Bridge at the end of April.

''They know we're there and there's no disputing that fact. We are there and they are well aware of that and I think they know if they do slip up we are going to take our chance,'' Ferguson said.

A minor injury sustained in training means Louis Saha is unlikely to face Sunderland but the France international will be available for Monday's trip to Tottenham.

Defender Wes Brown is in line for a recall to United's starting line-up.

REUTERS PDS PM2009