The race for the Premier League title appears to be a two-horse race between Manchester City and Manchester United, with 17/1 shots Tottenham having work to do to gatecrash the party, but who is set to finish in the top four with them?
Assuming the two Manchester clubs and Spurs don’t blow up over the last 14 games of the season, one of them will be crowned as the champions of England, with City the current 1/2 favourites to secure the title in May.
Third-placed Tottenham, who saw boss Harry Redknapp cleared of tax evasion charges on Wednesday, have a seven-point cushion over Chelsea at the moment, so if it’s a case of just one top-four spot being up for grabs who will grab it?
The race, so it seems, is between Andre Villas-Boas’ Blues, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool, with the answer set to be known in just over three months time.
Chelsea (4/9)
For the first time in years, Chelsea are not challenging for the top prize by virtue of the fact they are 14 points worse off than the league leaders.
This season was always going to be about rebuilding under Villas-Boas and he appears to be safe as long as he makes it into the top four and gives the Champions League a real crack.
The Blues certainly need a fresh injection of funds to freshen up a squad that can no longer rely on the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to reproduce their magic given their advancing years.
But the west Londoners should have enough, although it may go down to the fire as they face Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool in three of their last five Premier League games of the season.
Newcastle (14/1)
The Magpies have been the surprise package of the season although there were real doubts they could compete following the exits of a number of first-team stars and owner Mike Ashley’s sometimes strange decisions.
But the Toon Army have new heroes to worship following the departures of the likes of Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton since January 2011 – although it appears the top four is beyond them for the time being.
That said, boss Alan Pardew, who was not the most popular man on Tyneside after replacing Chris Hughton, deserves huge credit for the side’s form.
However, tough-looking games at Spurs and Arsenal plus the home derby against in-form Sunderland between now and the middle of March will probably put a different complexion on matters.
Arsenal (5/2)
Boss Arsene Wenger reckons his side have a great chance of breaking back into the top four and while his side is bubbling with confidence after destroying Blackburn, it must be remembered Rovers have won just four games this term.
Interestingly, one of those victories was against the Gunners at Ewood Park back at the start of the season, with the north Londoners enduring a dreadful August by also losing to Liverpool and Manchester United while being held by Newcastle.
It must also be pointed out Arsenal are back in Champions League action this month while they have a tough run in the league, with trips to Sunderland and Liverpool plus the small matter of a home derby against Spurs on February 26 at the Emirates.
The best they can probably hope for is an FA Cup run, with Wenger’s boys 11/2 to go all the way to Wembley and win the most famous of football trophies.
Liverpool (2/1)
Kenny Dalglish’s outfit have spent a lot of money to fail to reach the Champions League after an absence of a couple of seasons.
Lesser characters in the game – and at Anfield in particular – might have come under more pressure given the Reds’ woeful form on their own patch.
Like Chelsea, Liverpool’s strongest characters around the club – Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard – are knocking on a bit but there does not appear to be too many ready-made replacements in terms of leadership.
Gerrard, though, still has a few more years in him, but he will be fortunate to feature again at Champions League level again before hanging up his boots.
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