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Almost half of the BPL/EPL matches have been completed this season and boy have their been some suprises !
English Premier League
Manchester United , though not in form off late , have played better than most people thought they would but their position in the table is not a suprise. Champion sides do not depend on a single player and although they have missed Cristiano Ronaldo(who wouldnt !) from last season but they have been suprisingly getting in the results. Even with their current injury list , where one would expect them to get bashed from all corners , they have been able to maintain the 2nd position in the league. United tend to peak in the second half of the season and with their injured players yet to return they might well do it this season as well. But the way things are going it might be too little too late.
Chelsea , top of the table on christmas , 4 points above the rest , beating their title rivals Liverpool , United and Arsenal 2-0 , 1-0 and 0-3 respectively life couldnt be better for them . They have had a few rough games in december but that happens even to the best sometimes . With games coming thick and fast though they do need to pull up their socks , the 4 point lead could easily have been 9 and the new Italian manager Ancelotti would be well aware of that. I tip them to finally break United’s run of 3 titles this year and win it . They have a comfortable fixture list during the ACN and shouldnt miss their african contingent too much .
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger says the league will be much closer this time and 8 teams will be vying in for the title . I share his views about the former , I expect Chelsea , Man Utd and Arsenal(if they buy someone quality in January)to be in the mix come April. Wenger’s stubborness to stick with his youngsters , although appreciable , simply is not doing the job. What a club like Arsenal deserve are titles and his young team is not right for that . A mix of some experiened , proven quality players in some key positions are required. You cannot win a title with an average age of 22 Mr Wenger. Unfortunately everyone but Arsene realizes that it seems. The latter part of that statement is , well bollocks .
Liverpool would like to forget this season . I think it would be nothing short of miraculous for them to end up in the top 4 this season. Its inexplicable how badly they have performed , sure they missed Xabi Alonso but as I said earlier great teams do not depend on one player.
The likes of Aston Villa , Manchester City and Tottenham along with Liverpool will fill the 4-7 positions this season and it would be an interesting battle . Aston Villa especially will have a glorious opportunity to even fire into the top 3 if they can maintain this hunger. Sadly , last season as well they were in a similar position only to mess up in the post-christmas season but they surely look more solid this time.
The relegation battle would also be keenly contested as last season , this season it looks even closer with the difference in points between teams positioned currently 10 to 20 just 7 points !
Surely , anything you do , you better be watching the BPL. It doesnt get closer than this !
