This season’s Premier League title race seems the most exciting in years. Jose Mourinho described it as «unbelievable» and I’m afraid I have to agree with him this time, I can’t remember the last time we had just two points between the top five teams before Christmas. Who will win the title this season is anybody’s guess. I have checked most of the bookmakers on completebetting.com and they seem to think Manchester City have the best shot. Well, the Citizens do have some advantages but the other teams have their assets as well. Let’s try to make a quick round-up.
1. Liverpool
They are top of the table so it’s normal to start with them, even though being top of the table before Christmas didn’t do them too well so far. In fact, they have failed to win the league title in each of the last three seasons when they were top at Christmas: ended up second in 1990-91, came fourth in 1996-97 and were runners-up in 2008-09. But this time they have Suarez. The Uruguay striker bagged a mesmerizing total of 19 goals in 12 league appearances and also added five assists. His average rating on whoscored.com is 8.92, by far the best in the league so far. Gerrard, Sturridge and Coutinho also did a good job so far but I wonder what will happen when Suarez hits a bad patch…
2. Arsenal
The Gunners finally seem capable of mounting a serious title challenge, the first one in years. Their success so far is mostly due to Aaron Ramsey, 8 goals and 6 assists in 16 appearances, but Olivier Giroud also had an important contribution with 7 goals and four assists. Most fans hail Mesut Ozil but I think he is capable of doing more than 4 goals and 7 assists in 14 appearances. If the likes of Wilshere and Walcott will also deliver the kind of performances they are expected to then Arsenal can surely get the title this season, or at least come very close.
3. Manchester City
As I said, the bookmakers think they are the favourites and I guess they are right if you judge the team by their home performances, eight straight wins, 35 goals scored and 5 conceded. But the Citizens have been lame and tame away from Etihad Stadium, 3 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, 16 scored and 15 conceded! That difference is quite strange to say the least. But now they have an in-form Aguero, 13 goals in 14 appearances, and Yaya Toure in the best season of his career (9 goals so far, a fantastic tally for a central midfielder). If Man City will sort out their away performances then I doubt they could be stopped by any of the rivals.
4. Chelsea
The Blues are a rather curious case, they have just one player in the current average ratings Premier League top 20: Eden Hazard. They didn’t have many impressive performances as a team either but they always seem to grind out the results. It’s a Mourinho trademark by all means but I doubt it will be enough to win the title. In fact, I think that if Chelsea continue like this they might miss out on the top four as well. They could go far in the Champions League though.
5. Manchester United
The reigning champions have to be mentioned even though they are in 8th place at the moment. The only United player that played like a champion so far was Wayne Rooney, he is like a locomotive that carries the whole team behind him. That wasn’t enough so far and it surely won’t be enough to win the title. They surely miss Robin Van Persie at the moment but they weren’t playing like true champions when the Dutch forward was fit either. I doubt that the Red Devils can defend the title this season but stranger things have happened…
That’s about it, the floor is now open for discussions. I’m looking forward to reading your opinions.
Nick Fenn
24 декабря, 2013 at 20:10
It is going to be Manchester City this year because of their strength in attack.
Johnny Karp
24 декабря, 2013 at 20:23
Yeah, I tend to agree. I do hope it will be Arsenal though :)
Jackson
24 декабря, 2013 at 22:26
I think it’ll be Man City as well. Their away form isn’t the best but their home form is just brilliant. As a Tottenham fan, I think Spurs could finish above Liverpool and Man Utd, even if we’re a bit of a joke right now. I’m sure Eriksen and Lamela will come good for us.
Johnny Karp
25 декабря, 2013 at 08:01
Lamela and Eriksen are top quality players, I’m sure they will start doing what they are supposed to sooner or later. As a Romanian I have to ask you: what do you think about Chiriches?
Jackson
26 декабря, 2013 at 13:15
Chiriches is very good in my opinion, he’s very composed and calm and an play the ball well. He’s far superior to Michael Dawson in my opinion, who shouldn’t be in the team. Although this annoyed me; http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenhams-vlad-chiriches-sees-club-2340806
Johnny Karp
26 декабря, 2013 at 13:19
Agreed, that was a piece of poor judgement by his agent but it’s not really the player’s fault.
Ainvar
25 декабря, 2013 at 08:12
I think Man City has the squad depth to face problems that can come up, but any other team has talent to be a real challenger, especially Arsenal could be the winner if all the mentioned players perform good.
Darren
25 декабря, 2013 at 10:21
Well I tend to agree that City look like the most likely. Yes their away form has been a problem but the biggest issues came in defensive displays and (in my opinion) as a result of Kompany missing most matches and not been match fit. Now the tank is back I can see their away form turning for the better.
However, I don’t think we should be writing Chelsea off by any means. They have an insanely talented squad and the issues so far have come because the players don’t suit Jose’s style too well, if they can adjust after X-Mas and if Jose can sign a striker worth his salt or get one of the three he has on a run then I still think they will mount a serious challenge.
Either way the only team from that list that I’d write off at the moment is probably United, they just look like a different side this season, devoid of all confidence, they’ve lost that invincible attitude that Fergie used to implant in everyone. But, as you wrote stranger things have happened, thats why we all love this game so much.
Johnny Karp
26 декабря, 2013 at 13:20
I agree, if Chelsea manage to get a striker that can score on a regular basis then they will be in with a good chance.
Stan
25 декабря, 2013 at 12:07
Newcastle for champion…just cause im a fan…on a serious note though Man City looks very strong and for the first time they have a decent manager so i favorite them to win….but my personal preference would be liverpool…its been so long..
George14
25 декабря, 2013 at 20:11
I want it to be Arsenal but I think Chelsea or Man City will win it!
Archie
26 декабря, 2013 at 11:12
Obviously hope it will be Arsenal, but I think most gunners fans would agree its very unlikely. Sign another striker in January and we will definitley be up there. I cant see past City this year, especially if they can improve their away record.
Birdy
28 декабря, 2013 at 02:03
I personally believe Everton deserve recognition over Manchester United at this stage of the season
Johnny Karp
28 декабря, 2013 at 10:56
You are probably right but I can’t see them holding up in the title race.
Birdy
28 декабря, 2013 at 12:56
fair enough