Title race

Manchester City’s (4/6f – Title outright) 1-0 defeat at Everton on Tuesday, coupled with Manchester United’s (6/4) victory over Stoke, means that deadline day may also be looked back on as the night the title race swung in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side’s favour.

City have shown plenty of frailties in recent weeks, going out of both Cups and dropping crucial points in the league, but their undoubted talent means they are likely to continue to compete with their local rivals for the title right up until May.

The two Manchester clubs are level on points at the top now and many think it will be a straight fight between them for the title, but Spurs (14/1) remain lively outsiders at this stage.

Harry Redknapp’s side continue to impress and their easy win over Wigan again showed they are a side to be feared. The wily old boss has strengthened with what could be an astute buy in the shape of Louis Saha to inject a bit of freshness into a squad already brimming with talent with the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in fine form.

A return to the top four would have been the requirement in the summer and, while a serious title bid is still not out of the question with them sitting five points behind the other two, third place should be enough to satisfy the north Londoners come May.

Prediction: United 1st, City 2nd, Spurs 3rd.

Top-four finish

Assuming United, City and Spurs do claim the first three places in the Premier League, there is then just the one spot left to battle for in the race for Champions League football next term.

At this stage, it looks like a straight fight between Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal for fourth and there is a case to be made for all three to eventually land it.

Chelsea (1/2 – top four finish) occupy fourth at the minute and are therefore in the driving seat, despite plenty of question marks over their form and long-term prospects of coach Andre Villas-Boas.

There has been a lack of fluidity about the Blues this season – something which was a hallmark of previous title-winning sides – and they remain inconsistent.

That should give the Gunners and Reds hope but, they too have been unpredictable which means this could be a battle which has plenty more twists and turns to come as spring approaches.

Liverpool (11/4) have done well in the Cups so far and whether getting through to the Carling Cup final proves to be a distraction remains to be seen but if they do hit form and go on a winning run, fourth can be achieved.

They have already beaten Chelsea twice and Arsenal once this season so that will give Kenny Dalglish confidence.

Question marks remain over big summer purchases Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson but there are signs they are finally settling in and, with Luis Suarez primed to return next week, suddenly things are looking up at Anfield following a difficult few months.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s (9/4) poor start to the season was forgotten after a fine winning run before Christmas but they have again stalled of late. Defeats at Fulham, Swansea and at home to Man United highlighted their familiar failings while boss Arsene Wenger has been targeted by some fans for not strengthening in the transfer window.

They are capable of going on a decisive run again, though, and may just have the last laugh in the battle for fourth to surprise some and just about satisfy all at the Emirates that Wenger remains the man to take them forward.

Prediction: Arsenal 4th, Liverpool 5th, Chelsea 6th.

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