Wednesday 25 March 2015

Is the Title Race back on Track?


EPL TITLE RACE IS BACK ON TRACK
Premier league is the most unpredictable league after all, with clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool all fighting for the top 4 spot. Chelsea are just 7 points clear off Manchester City and behind City is Arsenal with just 1 point difference and Manchester United after defeating Liverpool are 5 points clear of Liverpool and all the top 4 teams are contesting for the league title.
Let’s have a check on who has the better edge of winning the title.



Chelsea


Currently sitting on the top of the table and with a six point gap, are the favorites to win the league with 9 matches remaining compared to other teams who just have 8. Though, a slip now can result in losing the title. Chelsea will face against Stoke(H), QPR(A), Man Utd(H), Arsenal(A) ,Leicester(A), Crystal Palace(H) in the next 6  games. With Arsenal and Man Utd founding their form back it will be difficult for Chelsea who has had a shaky form in the last 6 fixtures (w-w-d-w-d-d). Diego Costa has faced a hamstring injury but it looks like he will be available for Chelsea’s next fixtures. Eden hazard, CescFabregas, Oscar, Willian and especially (Courtois who made 3 back to back saves against hull)all look in good form and if things continue to go well for them they might lift the trophy this season under Jose Mourinho.


Manchester City


The title defenders sit on the 2nd spot with Chelsea drifting apart with a 6 point lead and a game in hand. Manchester City has the class to challenge for the league title and the champions league but why is that they are not able to play themselves through. The records clearly state that their away form has been into questioning with just gathering 8 points from their last 6 away games(W-D-D-W-L-L). Their Recent Champions League defeat to Barcelona again resulted in a disappointing champions league display and if they need to really win all the next games in which they will be facing Crystal Palace(A), Manchester United(A), West Ham(H), Aston Villa (H), Spurs(A), QPR(H). Their top players (Sergio Aguero, David Silva, James Milner, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany) really need to get into action and help their team retain their Title.

 Arsenal


Arsenal can be described as the Phoenix Club, though they had a really poor start but after the winter break they have pulled themselves up and have bagged 6 consecutive wins in the league and sit on the 3rd spot.They defeated Manchester United in the FA cup and again showed their class, when they pulled back 2 goals in the away match against Monaco but were knocked out. Arsene Wenger still claims that the title still can be won by Arsenal and if they continue to perform like this,definitely there is hope for them. They face Liverpool(H), Burnley(A), Chelsea(H), Hull(A), Swansea(H), Man Utd(A).their top players Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Giroud create a powerful attacking force and Arsenal are very much in the title race only of the win all their next fixtures.

Manchester United


Glory Glory Man Utd! The fans love chanting the glory song. Manchester United are certainly back on track under Louis Van Gaal, indeed the strict coach has found his best line and fans now understand the philosophy. United has just lost once in their last six premier league games and have collected 15 crucial points which will help them retain their position in the top 4. United overcame Tottenham and Liverpool in their previous fixture and will face Aston Villa(H), Man City(H), Chelsea(A), Everton(A), West Brom(H) and Crystal Palace(A) and they will need to work really hard to retain a spot for champions league position. However, it isn’t impossible for them looking at their record against tough teams. With Wayne Rooney scoring goals and Fellaini, Mata and Ashley Young showing an impressive form, the next fixtures are a must watch.


Liverpool


They had a really poor start but then after the winter break we saw a rejuvenated Liverpool, bagging 5 consecutive win and 1 defeat in their last 6 games, Liverpool fans are finally expecting to atleast qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool next fixtures are against Arsenal(A), Newcastle(H), Hull(A), West Brom(A), QPR(H) , Chelsea(A) and if they are really hungry for that top 4 spot they need to overcome all of these teams. Coutinho and Jordon Henderson are in the form of their life and will need to take the responsibility of carrying their team forward. Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling are finding their feet to be more consistent infront of the goal


Tottenham and Southampton


The only  good thing happened with Tottenham this season was their academy youngster Harry Kane,giving amazing  performances and fighting for the the golden shoe alongside Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa, Kane has scored 19 goals this season so far and continues to perform, even Cristian Erikson has shown some amazing performances in the past few fixtures and with several clubs keeping an eye on him, Spurs need to really boost up their away performance, though it looks that a top 4 spot might be out of the question.


Southampton really lifted some eye brows when the season began but their form in the last six games has dropped with 2 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats which resulted in losing all their hope for the top 4 spot.






Image courtesy- Google

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