As the New Year approaches this seasons title race is one of the most open in the history of the Premier League. No one is showing form that suggests they will run away with it and five teams will seriously still believe that could become Champions come the end of the season. Let’s take a look at the contenders.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson and his side currently lead the way and that will certainly make them favourites with the bookies and perhaps rightly so. United will enter 2011 undefeated and have yet to consistently produce the form that they are capable of. If Wayne Rooney can find his scoring boots in the New Year then the race for the title could be over before it begins. One thing that will concern the United manager and fans alike is their away form. With just one away win all season United have drawn far too many games on the road. With Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all still to face away from Old Trafford United will need to pick up more points on the road if they are to regain the title.
Manchester City
Currently second in the table are United’s noisy neighbours Manchester City, who arguably have the best squad in the league with an array of internationals throughout the side. With the transfer window opening City also have funds at their disposal. They look to set to be spending again with a deal to bring Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko to Eastlands from Wolfsburg already close. The problem that Roberto Mancini faces is keeping the squad a happy one. Everyone will want to play in the run in and with so many top players some are bound to be unhappy. The depth and cover they have though is enough to deal with all but the biggest injury crisis and that could be key come May.
Arsenal
After an emphatic win against Chelsea confidence was high in North London but the Gunners did what they have continued to do in recent years and that is drop points against the lesser sides in the league. A 2-2 draw away at Wigan has certainly dampened the euphoria around the Emirates Stadium and raised the ongoing questions about their need for a leader in the side. As Wenger’s men proved against Chelsea they are capable of blowing anyone in the league away on their day but that day doesn’t seem to come round enough for them to win the Premier League. Defensive and goalkeeping concerns still need to be addressed too.
Chelsea
Chelsea have been on terrible run of form of late which they finally ended with a narrow win against Bolton last night and many pundits and fans have already begun to dismiss the Blues hopes of retaining the title. This is far too premature. Chelsea have been without John Terry and Frank Lampard for large parts of the season and that is the focal point of their team. With both of these players now back along with Drogba and Essien Chelsea are more than capable of stringing a significant run of results together. Like Manchester United they have a squad full of players who know how to deal with the pressure in the final stages of a title run in and that could prove vital. Talk of them missing out on the top four altogether is nonsense.
Tottenham
Harry Redknapp and his Spurs side have been a revelation this season playing some mouth-watering football. Tottenham now have a very strong squad that are capable of competing with anyone across Europe as there results in the Champions League have proven and there is no getting away from the fact that they are in the title race. One problem that could hurt them is there goal difference which is poor in comparison to the other contenders .Whether they are capable of staying in the race right down to the wire remains to be seen but I wouldn’t bet against them being there.
With the race as open as it is you could make a good claim for anyone of the above sides winning the league but I see the title going to either the red side of Manchester or staying at Stamford Bridge. Experience is key in at the back end of the seasons when surprise results always occur and these two teams have it in abundance. Where do you see the league ending up?
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Paige
January 3, 2011 at 11:54 am
I am going to stick with Tottenham as my favorites. We have a deep squad this year, and quality players. Plus, none of the other “top teams” are looking as strong as they should for the teams they have. For all the play makers Man City has, they are grinding out results. Getting lucky in certain games. Although Man United have not lost a game, they are dropping what should be easy wins. Chelsea have just fallen off, for a couple months now. I’m not convinced they will find it again either. Arsenal have a good team and can play good football when they are on their day. But, they too have not looked as strong as they should.
robert
January 3, 2011 at 3:02 am
I’m not writing off Arsenal. They’re hitting a vein of form with all the right people back (almost), and the poor squad choice by Wenger against Wigan won’t be duplicated again unless it’s necessary. Not that the side he played was bad but they’re not the 11 that will win the title. Even Wenger admitted to blowing it with that choice.
Tough to write off Man U or Chelsea either.
Football Souvenirs
December 30, 2010 at 3:58 pm
i can’t see past United. Chelsea don’t have squad strength and City and Spurs do not have the experience of a title fight
fave
December 30, 2010 at 7:32 pm
City as a club don’t have experience, but many of the players that have come in have experience winning titles. So it shouldn’t affect them too much in my opinion.
JC
December 30, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I see it being close for most of the spring, finishing…
Manchester United
Arsenal
Chelsea
Manchester City
…with Tottenham just missing out.
Which brings up a question I have. If Tottenham wins the CL, do they automatically qualify in addition to, or at the expense of, the top four finishers in the EPL?
Joe
December 30, 2010 at 3:28 pm
That’s correct – if Tottenham were to win the Champions League, they would automatically qualify for next year, meaning whoever finished fourth (if not Spurs) would be out of luck
Evan
December 30, 2010 at 2:33 pm
As a City fan, I would like City to win. But United are best positioned and look to be in the ascendancy with games in hand. The title is between City and United. But it would take a huge slip up for United to slow momentum.
Joe
December 30, 2010 at 2:20 pm
You know, Manchester United winning again would be a snooze, but I’ll take the lesser of two evils approach. I think Manchester City winning would signal a sea change in British football. I think morally dubious billionaires would start buying up clubs faster than they already are, and a league that thrives on the passion of fans would become little more than a rich man’s sand box – billionaires loading up their toys to battle against other billionaires. Some will say the league is already headed there and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. Well, I think that if Man City continues to fall short, it will at least buy the small clubs some time to hope and dream. I’ll take a few more years of delusion!
Jason
December 30, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I pick Manchester United too unfortunately. The fact that they have not lost a game should not be overlooked. They have played poorly several times but still get results. I am a Manchester City fan personally and despite their performance this week their game against Everton just really sunk me confidence in them. Everytime Manchester City gains some sort of momentum they fall flat in a game they are expected to win. Man City can give me hope again if they get 6 points this upcoming week though. Because the pattern this year tells me that they lose at least one of the two games coming up.
Jason
December 30, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I picked Manchester City at the beginning of the season and I’m staying with the pick. They have the strongest squad and will not be hampered as mcuh as other clubs should some of their key players become injured.
It would be great to see the two Manchester clubs fight to the end for the title. Hopefully great drama ahead.
Chelsea and Arsenal will do better in the Champions League and I’ll pick one of them to get to the finals of the CL. However, both clubs will have to watch out for Spurs not taking the 4th spot in the league at their expense.
Andrew Puopolo
December 30, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Arsenal reaching finals of the CL? I hope you realize they drew Barcelona in the round of 16
ruffneckc
December 30, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I think Manchester United will wing as well. I support Arsenal but the team can’t find consistency to save their lives, so they will continue to drop points. I think City has a shout as well, they have a really strong squad that seems to be performing well now.
Jahoki
December 30, 2010 at 1:39 pm
My vote is Manchester United to take the title based on the following factors: Already in the lead, at least a game at hand, have yet to hit full stride. First place in spite of Wayne Rooney contributing nothing? In fact, some would suggest that Rooney’s presence on the pitch is more of a negative than a positive. Rooney doesn’t even need to find his form for United to take the title as long as everyone else continues to pitch in.