'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This weekend’s Premier League matches had a lot of impact on the league standings. Liverpool are now top of the table with Chelsea dropping down to 2nd place following their embarrassing loss at the hands of Crystal Palace. Manchester City lie in 3rd with 2 crucial games in hand and the most impressive goal difference. Arsenal are 4th following an impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates. Everton moved up to 5th and are very much a threat to Arsenal for the coveted UCL spot.
Liverpool
By far the most impressive club this season; Liverpool have been a revelation under Brendan Rodgers. Suarez and Sturridge a.k.a SAS, are arguably the best strike partnership the league has seen in many years and along with Gerrard and the likes of Coutinho, Sterling and Mignolet, Liverpool have at times been untouchable. Scoring goals for fun, digging out wins with last minute winners and playing with plenty of guts and determination, Liverpool are living a dream, and Brendan Rodgers is guiding them along very well.
They are currently top of the table with 71 points and an impressive goal difference of 49. They do however face the toughest fixtures of the lot- A couple of home games against Manchester City and Chelsea. From 7th place last season to potential champions this season. Well done Brendan Rodgers!
Chelsea
The arrival of the Special one definitely sparked into life a new Chelsea and the big spending West London club are definitely there and thereabouts for the title. Brilliant yet inconsistent, Chelsea are a team who on their day can outperform Manchester City at the Etihad and thump Arsenal 6-0, yet on another day, lose to Crystal Palace. Eden Hazard has been a revelation and he’s been well supported by the new signings Willian, Schurrle and Matic.
Currently lying 2nd with 69 points and a goal difference of 38, they have just one tough fixture in the form of Liverpool at Anfield. An ordinary season so far by Roman Abramovich’s lofty standards, they however are in the UCL quarterfinals facing PSG. Can Jose’s return indeed be special?
Eden Hazard has been Chelsea’s star this season
Manchester City
With Roberto Mancini gone and Manuel Pellegrini coming in, Manchester City have been much better this season. Beating the likes of Tottenham 6-0, Arsenal 6-3 and Manchester United 4-1, all at the Etihad, they much like Chelsea have built a fortress at home. Despite being a Tottenham Hotspur fan, I couldn’t help but admire Manchester City running circles around Spurs. Silva, Aguero, Negredo, Fernandinho and ofcourse Yaya Toure have been amazing this season.
Again, much like Chelsea, inconsistency away from home has been the only thorn to this great season. They currently lie in 3rd place with 67 points and a g.d. of 52 and with 2 games in hand. The tough fixtures they have coming up are against Liverpool and Everton. Definite favourites for the Premier League title, can Pellegrini’s boys get their 2nd trophy of the season, having already won the Carling Cup?
Arsenal
Yes, they are practically out of the title race with 63 points lying in 4th position with a g.d. of 19, however, having being on top of the table for a total of 128 days, I felt they were worth a mention. There are rumours suggesting that Arsene Wenger may retire at the end of the season and Wenger’s potential last season has so far been a good one. Possibly its been their inability to bring in a player like Julian Draxler in the winter transfer window and of course injuries to crucial players like Wilshere, Ozil and Ramsey, that has cost them the title with disappointing results against Liverpool,Chelsea and Stoke City.
As much as I hate Arsenal, the way they have played at times has been breathtaking to watch as a football fan. Then there is the F.A.Cup. The trophyless drought is coming to an end. Hopefully.
Final Verdict
I predict Manchester City winning the title with Chelsea finishing 2nd. Liverpool, despite their brilliant season finishing 3rd and Arsenal, seeing of Everton’s challenge to finish 4th. Manchester City, to me, are just a bit more deserving than the rest.
