Sport
The title that nobody wants to win
The title that nobody wants to win. Does anyone really want to win the Premier League title this season? It is hard to tell because not one team has been able to assert their authority in one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.
This time last year Chelsea were over the hill and far away as they cantered to the Premier League title, but fast forward 12 months and the reigning champions find themselves languishing in 14th spot 19 points behind the leaders and just four points above the drop zone.
Those battling to take Chelsea’s crown have been unable to take a firm grip of the title race which means Arsenal lead the table from Leicester on goal-difference, with third-placed Manchester City a further point behind and fourth-placed Tottenham just five points off the summit.
Manchester United who have been far from convincing so far this season, but Louis van Gaal believes they are very much in the title hunt as they are just seven points behind Arsenal
With 16 games left this season the destiny of the Premier League title is wide open and predictions of who will be victorious come May change from week to week.
Manchester United were meant to be on the verge of a crisis, but a win at Liverpool ( a fortunate win) and van Gaal has declared they could end up winning the title.
Some of United’s performances have not gone too well with the Old Trafford faithful this season with van Gaal heavily criticised for his style of football, but it could have substance come May when the prizes are handed out.
United have a decent run of fixtures on paper between now and the end of the season, but the unconvincing displays up until now and the countless goalless draw could haunt United in the final reckoning as they have left themselves with a real mountain to climb to reel in the leaders.
Tottenham are seen as the dark horses in the title race having come under the radar to mix it with the leading pack this season.
Mauricio Pochettino is building an exciting young side at White Hart Lane and they are beginning to shake off that old tag of being nearly men.
This season might just be a season too early for Pochettino’s troops, but they are displaying credentials that underline them as real contenders for English football’s top prize for years to come.
Leicester are the surprise package of the season and show no signs of fading away against their more illustrious rivals.
Claudio Ranieri’s men were many people’s favourites to get relegated this season, but they have proved the sceptics wrong in style and the least they deserve come the end of the season is a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
Arsenal are the current leaders and many suggest this is their best chance in years to end their title drought of 12 years when Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” claimed the championship by going unbeaten all season.
This current Arsenal side are no “Invincibles” this season having already lost four games this term and they arguably have the toughest run in of any of their rivals with away trips to Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City still to come.
Manchester City are the favourites to win their third Premier League title in four years as arguably Manuel Pellegrini’s side have the strongest squad in the league full of world-class talents.
City also have course and distance in a title race having come from behind in both their recent title successes, so nerves should not be a problem for them when it becomes ‘squeaky bum time’ in the final few frantic weeks of the campaign.
If City find form and their rivals continue to falter they could end up running away with the title, but in this most topsy turvy season you would be a brave man to back anyone to run away with it and I am not that brave!
