The Race to the top

Only 10 games remaining in the EPL season and there is only 6 points separating the top 4 teams in the EPL. This ain't no German league with the leader being 20 points ahead of the rest and all the others playing like scared possums in the headlights. She’s going to be a tight race in England, that’s for sure. As I sit here wondering in 10 weeks time who will have their hands on the trophy, I can’t help but think ‘Jesus I have no idea’. People all have differing views on this dilemma that is going to slowly take over our lives (if it hasn’t already) as we wind down to the finale in May.

Arsenal

Well after dropping 3 points away to Stoke, everyone has assumed the season is over for Arsenal. However with games against City, Chelsea and Spurs to come there are plenty of chances to take points. And drop them. With all the big teams dropping points left, right and centre you wouldn’t be surprised to see a few switches in the top 4 over the last 10 games. The lack of depth in the Arsenal front line has been highlighted enough, but they really do need to get scoring if they are to get back in the race. Being 2-0 down to Bayern Munich and pretty much 80% out of the CL shouldn’t be a problem as they can focus more on the EPL than the CL, which they were never realistically going to win. They will need to take 4 points off City and Chelsea, if they are to have any chance of winning the league. Who knows what will happen. Doesnt look likely though. 4th place.

Liverpool

Liverwhat?? 6 weeks ago no one cared about the Reds and now they are right in the hunt for EPL glory. They say defence wins you championships but Liverpool are trying to blow that theory out of the water! They have overtaken City for the most goals scored this season and they’ve done it primarily in the last month. They are bulging the old Onion Bag regularly with the deadly form of both Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez. Teams keep trying to play a high line against this quick, attacking outfit and the Reds are picking teams off ruthlessly. But they still have those defensive troubles. Kolo Toure has been single handidly trying to drop points for Liverpool and needs to be shipped out ASAP. They are leaking goals consistently and if they are going to go toe to toe with the top teams this needs to be amended. It can be amended, but can it be amended in time to win the league this season? I’m not so sure. They are still the dark horses in the race and you can bet if they keep up their current form in front of goal, they could (miraculously as it sounds) end up in front at the end of the season. 3rd place.

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has claimed all year his side aren’t in the running for the top gong. Get out of here Mou! Currently sitting atop the league and proving to be defensively frugal, this Chelsea side are trying their darn hardest to win this thing. I feel like they have such an old team with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill, but I guess in all great sides there are the old stalwarts who have ‘been there, done that’. Chelsea have a four point buffer at the top of the league and are sitting pretty at the moment. As the most likely of the EPL teams to go through to the next round of the Champions League it could be a busy last couple of months for Mou’s men. The lack of a quality striker has got to be annoying all Chelsea supporters but they seem to be doing just fine without one. A hat trick from a midfielder again this week showcases this nicely. If they can get more production in front of goal they will be difficult to usurp at the top of the table, but being able to score the amount of goals necessary may be too much. 2nd place.

Man City

Are these guys starting to falter? City had been going along nicely but their hectic schedule could be starting to take its toll. Already 2 games behind in the EPL and still in 3 competitions, City will be counting on their supreme squad to get them through the glut of games coming up. Like Arsenal, they have one foot outside the CL as they will need a minor miracle to overcome a 2-0 deficit at the Nou Camp against Barcelona. The less games for City the better their chances of EPL glory. If they win their 2 games in hand then they will be first on goal difference, so there is no way you can say City are out of it. With the most complete squad in England they cant use the excuse of a poor squad if they fail and its fair to say they have players coming back at the right time, like Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri. They have weapons a plenty and if they can manage to get some more quality games out of Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart then they should be fine. They are all big game players and they will definitely be tested over the next month. City are still the team to beat in my opinion and they will be leading the pack when the final game is finished. 1st place.