Ranking the Top 5 EPL clubs in clashes among them

England is one of the few countries in Europe with a very competitive league, with up to five teams competing for the big prize come the end of May. Everyone starts with a clean slate on Day 1, the real target of the clubs are identified when we approach the business end of the season.With each clubs identifying their target more or less by this stage, it is imperative for the clubs to avoid any slip-ups at this point of the season, particularly in the big matches. Since this will not just cost the team three points but will gift their direct rivals three easy points as wellHence, the club performances in big matches can have a major say in where each club finishes up. Let us look at how many points the top five clubs in England have managed to secure among themselves so far this season:

#5 Liverpool (Fifth place)

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard shown the red card against Manchester United

Rank – Fifth (Four Points)

The Merseyside outfit seemed to have turned some corners in recent weeks with just one defeat so far in the league in 2015. However, the one defeat coming to rivals Manchester United says their story of the season.

Liverpool have won just the one game they have faced against the top four clubs. The only win came against Manchester City at Anfield. Apart from it, Liverpool's only other point in these fixtures was secured against Arsenal in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield.

They have lost the remaining matches – both their matches against Manchester United, the one against Manchester City at Etihad and for the second season running their home game against Chelsea.

Their misery does not end there, as Liverpool are still to face Arsenal at Emirates and current league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their remaining eight fixtures. Liverpool cannot avoid any more slip-ups as they are looking to overcome the five-point deficit behind Manchester United in the remaining games.

#4 Arsenal (Third place)

Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring against old club Manchester United

Rank - Fourth (Five Points)

It is no surprise that the Gunners have managed just the five points in the five games against the big sides. In recent seasons Arsenal have been labeled as 'Old School Bullies', who destroy the so-called lesser teams and often get stuck against the big boys. Hence, few will be surprised with these run of results.

In past seasons Arsenal had at least managed to beat the big boys in Emirates, but this season they are yet to beat a big team there either. The Gunners’ only victory against the top sides came at Etihad, when they surprisingly beat the defending champions Manchester City.

Some of the Arsenal players have currently set sights on first spot as they and the league leaders Chelsea are separated by only seven points. However, if Arsenal are to go anywhere near the top, they have to win their remaining fixtures – particularly the three games against the big sides – Liverpool (Home) Chelsea (Home) and Manchester United (Away).

#3 Manchester City (Second Place)

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero evades Machester United’s Daley Blind and Wayne Rooney

Rank – Third (Nine Points)

One of the main reasons for Manchester City not able to provide a stern challenge for Chelsea at the top of the table is largely because of their performances against the big boys. The Blues of Manchester has played the most against the top teams, but have managed just the two victories.

Of the seven games City have so far faced against the big guns, they won just the two games – Liverpool (3-1 at Etihad) and Manchester United (1-0 at Etihad). Of their remaining five games, they have drawn three times and lost one each against Arsenal (Home) and Liverpool (Away).

The ‘noisy neighbours’, as said by Sir Alex Ferguson, have not beaten any of the top five side since beating Manchester United on 2nd November 2014. Their only remaining fixture against the top clubs is also against the same opponent as City have to travel to Old Trafford on April 12th. If they are to have any chance of winning the title, City cannot afford to lose the game against their derby rival.

#2 Chelsea (First Place)

Altercation between Chelsea’s Diego Costa and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard

Rank – Second (Nine Points)

Chelsea have also collected the same points City have collected against the big boys, but have managed that in lesser games. The Blues have managed to win just the two games in those five fixtures, but have not lost a single one and have drawn all their remaining three games.

In these same fixtures last season, the Blues secured an impressive 20 points from a possible 24. Apart from drawing at Old Trafford and Emirates, Chelsea won all their remaining six games. Hence, it is surprising to see their level drop in these fixtures this time around.

They are yet to beat a top five side since beating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on 8th November, 2014. Their only other victory in these fixtures came against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have drawn all their three games against Manchester clubs (twice against City and once against United).

They still have to face Manchester United (Home), Arsenal (Away) and Liverpool (Home) in their remaining nine fixtures. If the Blues are to secure the title without any blips along the way, they have to make the most out of these games.

#1 Manchester United (Fourth Place)

Rank – First (10 points)

One of the low points of Manchester United during last season was their poor record against the big teams. In 12 games against the top 6 teams they had managed just 6 points from a potential 36. the Reds were totally outclassed by the top sides. Their only victory against the top six came at home to Arsenal.

Seeing the side who were battered against the big boys last time around topping the table against the top five sides this season would have come has a major surprise for many people. Of the five games the Reds have faced so far, they managed to win three, draw one and lose the only one against Manchester City.

Bringing Louis van Gaal last summer to help the club return to the top of the table may not have worked as per plan, but has certainly helped the Reds to regain their strengths against the big teams. After watching their side being trashed by City and Liverpool last season home and away, United fans will be enjoying the club’s current position.

However, the fairy tale is not yet over, as the Reds still have to face their derby rival Manchester City (Home), Chelsea (Away) and Arsenal (Home) in the remaining eight matches. After their impressive record against the big teams so far in the season, the Reds may not fear these big clashes after all.

Edited by Staff Editor