Another round of Premier League fixtures is out of the way and things are starting to take shape at both ends of the table, here are three things we’ve learnt from the latest round of fixtures (totesport – Barclays Premier League).
1) The title is heading to Manchester
Any hope Spurs had of landing their first league title since 1961 now appears to be over following their 5-2 loss at Arsenal on Sunday. Spurs are now 10 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City and eight behind reigning champions Manchester United. With just 12 games to go it would take a magnificent effort from the north Londoners, combined with poor results for the Manchester duo, for them to take the top prize.
Manchester City are the 8/15 favourites to secure the Premier League crown, United can be backed at 6/4 and Spurs have now drifted out to 50/1 to land the title after their north London derby defeat.
2) Arsenal’s season isn’t over yet
While Spurs may be reeling from their heavy defeat at the Emirates it may mark a return to form for the Gunners.
Following their 4-0 loss at AC Milan in the Champions League and FA Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland it appeared as if Arsenal’s season was all but over before we had even entered March. However, while silverware may again prove elusive for Arsene Wenger’s men this season they may yet secure a top four finish, which could be massive if it convinces star man Robin van Persie to agree new terms at the Emirates.
The Gunners’ 5-2 win over Spurs moved them back into the top four, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference, and after a disappointing couple of weeks that victory may be just what Arsenal needed to get their top four charge back on track.
Arsenal can be backed at 11/8 to secure a top four finish, while Chelsea are priced at 5/6.
Liverpool landed the Carling Cup on Sunday with a hard-fought victory over Championship outfit Cardiff. The Reds are seven points adrift of Arsenal but Liverpool have not given up on Champions League qualification and they’re priced at 10/3 to grab a top four spot, while Newcastle are 16/1.
3) The relegation battle is down to five
West Brom, Stoke and Fulham all picked up three points over the weekend to move well clear of the drop zone and it now appears as if there are five teams remaining in the relegation battle, and all of them are struggling for form.
Wigan, who have picked up four points in their last two games, remain at the foot of the table with just 20 points but only goal difference separates them from a stuttering Bolton side who slumped to a 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Saturday.
Blackburn and QPR have 21 points, while Wolves are on 22, and it seems as if three of the current bottom five will be heading into the Championship, unless one of the sides above them suffers a dramatic dip in form.
QPR have a particularly difficult run in, they still have to face Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs before the season comes to a close, while their final game of the season is a daunting trip to Manchester City. The Loftus Road side are priced at 10/11 to suffer an immediate return to the Championship.
In contrast, Bolton have just Manchester City and Spurs of the ‘top six’ left to play, with a trip to the Etihad on the horizon for the Wanderers this weekend. However, Owen Coyle’s men have been frankly abysmal all season, aside from a couple of impressive displays, and it will take a remarkable change in fortunes, and form, if they are to survive. The Wanderers can be backed at 8/11 to go down.
Wigan have been rooted to the foot of the table all season but they have come back from similar circumstances in the past. Latics are 1/3 to suffer relegation after a seven-year stint in the top flight.
Blackburn have just sold key defender Chris Samba and appeared to have conceded defeat prior to a ball being kicked in their defeat at Man City at the weekend. Steve Kean’s men are 8/11 to be relegated, which would come as no surprise following their turbulent campaign to date.
Wolves were the only side in the relegation mix to show any fight this weekend as they came from 2-0 down to record a 2-2 draw at Newcastle. The Molineux outfit, who are now under the guidance of Terry Connor following the sacking of Mick McCarthy, are priced at 8/13 to be relegated.
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