English Premier League enters home straight

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This was published 8 years ago

English Premier League enters home straight

By Jamie Marcuson
Updated

There's less than 10 games to go in this absurd English Premier League season and picking a winner is not getting any easier.

With six teams still mathematically able to lift the trophy, it's as good a time as any to discuss the final run-in to one of the most exciting, confusing and downright ludicrous Premier League seasons in history.

Leicester, the little engine that could

It's hard to believe that Leicester City, a team that were tipped 5000-1 odds of winning the league in July, are at the top of the league. What's harder to believe is that they aren't losing any steam in their Herculean attempts to turn the football world on it's head.

Top: Leicester City's Jamie Vardy has been a huge factor in their climb to the top of the EPL

Top: Leicester City's Jamie Vardy has been a huge factor in their climb to the top of the EPLCredit: Laurence Griffiths

Everyone has been waiting for the Foxes to fall away, bemoaning their lack of depth, funds and ability. Yet here we are. Leicester are top. By five points. In March.

They have beaten Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and a memorable away victory at Manchester City in their climb to the top.

History is against them.

Their manager, Claudio Ranieri, is the perennial bridesmaid. He has never won the league, in any country, despite holding posts at Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Juventus, Inter Milan, Roma, Monaco and Chelsea.

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Bridesmaid: Claudio Ranieri has never won the league in any competition.

Bridesmaid: Claudio Ranieri has never won the league in any competition.Credit: Getty Images

Yet with the vibe in the dressing room, the goals they are scoring and the fact that they are still top (now with a buffer), this could be their year.

Don't expect a team on a shoestring budget to win the EPL again anytime soon, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

North London: Where no team wants to win the league

Arsenal fans must be kicking themselves. In a season when their fellow powerhouses have faulted, they are the lone superclub chasing the title.

The problem?

They just can't find a route to the axis.

If not now, when?: Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is under enormous pressure to bring a league title to the Emirates.

If not now, when?: Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is under enormous pressure to bring a league title to the Emirates.Credit: Jon Super

It has been a season of 'one-step forward, two-steps back' for the Gunners. They dispatched of league leaders Leicester 2-1 (albeit with a very late Danny Welbeck finish) a month ago, and then capitulated against Manchester United and Swansea.

The angst of Arsenal fans is clear. "If not now, when?"

Causing more distress for the red half of North London is the quiet creeping up the table of their noisy neighbours, Tottenham. Spurs have avoided the hype and made their way to the top two. Mauricio Pochettino has brought an attacking flair to White Hart Lane and, more importantly, confidence that this could be their year.

Confident: Mauricio Pochettino (left) has instilled a new confidence in Tottenham this season.

Confident: Mauricio Pochettino (left) has instilled a new confidence in Tottenham this season.Credit: AP

But faced with a 10-man Arsenal at home last weekend, leading 2-1, they were unable to hang on, conceding late in the game to share the spoils.

Spurs have only started to be talked up as title favourites (as the bookies are still banking on a Leicester collapse) but the pressure may be starting to erode their confidence. They sit five points behind Leicester but three above third placed Arsenal, so are still very much in the hunt for a rare piece of silverware.

The Manchester clubs battle for fourth

There is something deliciously gratifying to think that supercoach Pep Guardiola, architect of Barcelona's dynastic success, could be leading Manchester City in the second-tier Europa League next season.

But that would require City to continue their recent malaise and Manchester United to displace them in the last Champions League spot.

Both seem unlikely as City stormed to a morale-boosting 4-0 drubbing of cellar-dwellars Aston Villa last weekend, while United ended a recent spell of wins with a lacklustre 0-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

Europa?: Pep Guardiola may be coaching Manchester City in the Europa League next season.

Europa?: Pep Guardiola may be coaching Manchester City in the Europa League next season.Credit: AP

City are still alive in the Champions League this season, while United are through to the next round of the Europa League. Depth may prove the decisive factor in the make up of the final four and these two clubs will be at their bare bones come May.

United legend Paul Scholes weighed in to the fourth-place debate this week, bemoaning United's pursuit for fourth as insufficient.

Speaking after their insipid loss to Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League clash, Scholes said, "The last thing I want for [United] is to be happy with finishing fourth and winning the FA Cup. That's what Arsenal do ever year. You see them celebrate out on the pitch when they come fourth in the Premier League. That can't happen at United."

Free-fall: Manchester United and coach Louis van Gaal are falling fast down the ladder.

Free-fall: Manchester United and coach Louis van Gaal are falling fast down the ladder.Credit: Shaun Botterill

West Ham may be blowing bubbles over Manchester

Of course, both Manchester clubs may be competing against each other in the Europa League if West Ham continues their surprising run of form that has led them to the precipice of the top four.

They have in recent weeks defeated Everton (from two goals down) and Spurs, while drawing with Manchester City. Although a game ahead of City, they are just one point behind in fifth.

In a season where all sense has been thrown out the window, there may be a spot in the Champions League for the Hammers next season after all.

Stranger things have happened (such as the current top two teams).

Surprise package: West Ham are within touching distance of a Champions League berth next season.

Surprise package: West Ham are within touching distance of a Champions League berth next season.Credit: John Walton

The Hunger Games: Four teams fighting to avoid the drop

As the season draws to its climactic conclusion, four teams are fighting hell-for-leather to stay in the Premier League.

It is not only a matter of prestige. Relegation to the Football Championship has huge financial implications too.

To put it in perspective, Hull City made $4 million in the 2012-13 season in the Football Championship. Promoted the next season, they made $130 million.

So it's a pretty big deal.

Aston Villa are the worst of the lot, sitting bottom on 16 points. At this stage, divine intervention from any number of deities is needed to keep Villa up next season.

Under threat: Aston Villa's manager Remi Garde is facing an uphill relegation battle.

Under threat: Aston Villa's manager Remi Garde is facing an uphill relegation battle.Credit: Clive Rose

Meanwhile, Norwich and Newcastle are on 24 points and Sunderland are on 25. Newcastle have played 28 games, while the other two have played 29.

The golden rule for survival is a team needs 38 points to stay in the Premier League, or a point a game.

Swansea and Crystal Palace (both 33 points) and Bournemouth (35 points) are still too close for comfort, but should survive.

As for Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland, it's anyone's guess.

Prediction for the end:

1. Leicester City

2. Tottenham Hotspur

3. Arsenal

4. Manchester United

5. Manchester City

6. West Ham

7. Liverpool

8. Chelsea

9. Stoke

10. Southampton

11. Everton

12. West Brom

13. Crystal Palace

14. Watford

15. Bournemouth

16. Swansea

17. Newcastle

18. Sunderland

19. Norwich

20. Aston Villa

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