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The EPL Title Race… Who is your money on?
Published by Ian John on December 7, 2009
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I really don’t know how to judge the EPL at the moment, certainly as regards the title race. Certainly Chelsea and Manchester United have been the most consistent footballing teams thus far, grinding our results with their now customary consistency, but at the moment I just have niggles about both sides and I really am wondering if the title race is already a two horse race, or whether there are a few twists and turns to come just yet.
Chelsea, up until this weekend, were certainly the team most people felt able to take the title from Manchester United. However despite their fine start and the exceptional form of players like Drogba, Lampard and Ashley Cole, there are still one or two concerns I have with Chelsea. Both City’s goals were not defended particularly well, especially the free kick, where I felt Cech, once again, looked very shaky. I think Carvalho’s best days are behind him and I foresee big problems for Chelsea in January when they miss the promptings of Essien, Mikel and Drogba in particular. I think Chelsea are a great side when they go in front, but if they go behind, I think they have real problems against the counter attack and I think more teams will exploit this over the course of the season.
Manchester United, despite their stunning 4-0 win at West Ham, still strike me as being a little short of quality in the long run. Their decimated defensive corps hasn’t helped either and I wonder if they were to do without Rooney for a lengthy spell, what that would do to their team. I’m not sure Valencia will have the late season impact that someone like Ronaldo had and I fear that the defensive injuries and problems that have beset United at times, even with their first choice players, may come back to haunt them. In their favour, they have vast experience and are programmed for success. United will be there or thereabouts regardless of their weaknesses, that is why they are a great team.
Arsenal got back to winning ways at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Stoke, but Arsene Wenger’s men are flattering to deceive a little at the moment. With all their main strikers out Wenger is really struggling to find the focal point in attack to reap the benefits of his midfield’s craft and vision. A striker in January is a must for Arsene, he has admitted as much himself, but who that is remains open to question. Dzeko of Wolfsburg is a possibility it seems, but Wenger has ruled out a move for Van Nistelrooy this morning. If they can get a striker or two in during January and get lucky with injuries, they could still do it Arsenal, but it is a big ask from their current position and much will depend how they do in the remainder of December, including next weeks crucial clash at Anfield against Liverpool.
Liverpool meanwhile have big problems. There are long term injury/fitness worries over both Gerrard and Torres and without them the team is not even a shadow of the team that finished so strongly last season. To say this season has been an unmitigated disaster is being too kind. When the only positives out of the season so far are that Lucas Leiva and David Ngog are not quite as bad a players as we first thought, then you know things are not the best. The Aquilani situation is a shambles, as is Gerrard and Torres injury situations. The management at the club from boardroom level has been laughable, the manager has built a squad entirely reliant on two players and with no alternative. It is a shambles. Fourth spot would be a miracle given the current situation.
Tottenham I felt had a good chance of fourth. Given their financial situation, the squad they have and their results, but recently I’m just a little concerned that they have a bit of a tendency to drop points too easily. I think Harry needs a much more imposing goalkeeper. I am not sure Gomes is the solution long term, even though his form has improved significantly. I also think that they’d be better going with a strike pairing and sticking with it, which would mean one of Keane, Crouch or Defoe being a perma-sub, which I don’t think will go down too well.
Man City could well force themselves into it. Despite too many draws of late, they’ve not been losing games and they have beaten Arsenal (twice) and Chelsea at Eastlands this season as well as getting a point at Anfield and almost snatching a draw at Old Trafford. Mark Hughes has already identified that they need to improve against the weaker teams and if they can do that over the second half of the season, and keep their key players free from injury, then I can see city finishing fourth. However I think a signing or two in January could really strengthen their claims, especially if they are top class and defensive as, at the moment, Lescott’s performances have not warranted the money invested in him.
Aston Villa however would be my tips. I think Martin O’Neill has got a talented young squad on his hands and I think they will cause teams a lot of problems, especially at Villa park. It remains to be seen how well they do in the crucial away games but they have won at Anfield this season already and I think with a little more experience and a key signing in January (a right back would be ideal), and Villa could surprise a few people to steal that fourth spot.
What do you think?
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Nabyl Charania on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 2:18 pm
I think its still too early to pick the EPL winner, Chelsea look good for it, but lets see how the loss of Drogba, Essien and Mikel affects them in January.