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What is going to decide the EPL title?

Published by Ian John on March 7, 2010

Over the next three months, March, April and May, we are are going to see twists and turns, drama and excitement, shocks and formalities and in the very end, one of Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal is going to lift the Premier League title. But what are the key factors that are going to decide the destination of the title? Let’s have a look at several and see how they compare…

1. THE RUN IN
It has already been stated by Sir Alex Ferguson that the Gunners have the easier run in. Certainly on paper this looks to be the case with Arsenal’s two toughest fixtures being a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham and a home game against Manchester City. By way of comparison Chelsea must face Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool on their travels and have a home game with Aston Villa. Manchester United host Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool at Old Trafford and have to go to Eastlands to take on Manchester City. So on paper the Gunners hold a slim advantage with Chelsea having the toughest run in on paper. ADVANTAGE : ARSENAL

2. THE KEY MEN
Each team has key men who have had a massive impact on each sides season. This includes players like, for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney, Arsenal Cesc Fabregas and for Chelsea Didier Drogba. Unfortunately for both United and Arsenal, Rooney and Fabregas have both picked up niggling injuries in recent weeks. Drogba however remains in good fitness and form and this seemingly hands Chelsea an advantage, but when you add into this the loss of Ashley Cole, John Terry’s off the field problems, Bosingwa being ruled out for the year, Cech’s injury and that Florent Malouda is currently playing as an emergency left back. It is a similar story at Manchester United, Vidic’s future remains unresolved, Ferdinand’s troublesome back could flare up at any moment, Rooney has joined Owen and Macheda on the injury list (with Welbeck out on loan), Giggs too is out. Arsenal meanwhile are reportedly set to welcome back Robin Van Persie from injury for the run in in what could be a huge boost to the Gunners, especially after the horrible injury to Aaron Ramsey. The upshot of all this is, that no club has a clear advantage in the injury and key men stakes and much will depend on how quickly players recover and then how they avoid further injury over the next few weeks of the season. ADVANTAGE : NO DISCERNABLE ADVANTAGE TO ANY TEAM.

3. EXPERIENCE
It is hard to pinpoint just how important having “been there and done that” is at this crucial stage of the season. All three of the top managers have enjoyed success and have players who have also enjoyed great success, but there is little doubt that Manchester United hold the greater experience and knowhow of how to deal with this crucial ‘business end’ of the season. When you can call upon the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, that is something very special. ADVANTAGE : MANCHESTER UNITED

4. WORKLOAD
It’s worth remembering that the clubs not only have the EPL to go for, but the Champions League also. All three of the top sides have a similar workload, but Chelsea will probably play more games due to their continuing involvement in the FA Cup. It seems a tad unfair to suggest that success could be their downfall, but if they reach the semi finals and then the final, that will then give the Chelsea players at least two energy sapping 90 minutes on the Wembley pitch, that has already been identified as being a major reason why Owen and Rooney were injured. United and Arsenal are focused solely on the League and Champions League and even just a game or two less may be enough to give them a slight advantage. ADVANTAGE : MANCHESTER UNITED & ARSENAL

5. FORM
It has been an odd season in many respects. Everyone of the top sides has shown glimpses of their best form, but at some point a surprise defeat has also followed. No team seems likely to go to the end of the season without at least one ot two results going against them. The key issue here however is that Arsenal have seemed to make less mistakes against the lesser teams and although they have been well beaten by Chelsea and Manchester United already this season, the fact the Gunners tend to fare more consistently against the lesser teams, especially since that is who they will play on their run in, may well just give them the advantage over Chelsea and United, who have shown a tendency to lose games against teams that, on paper, they shouldn’t. ADVANTAGE : ARSENAL

So a quick look through this suggests that the title race may well come down to Arsenal and United. Chelsea’s tough away games and continued interest in the FA Cup may prove to be their undoing. Arsenal’s easier run in, the return of Van Persie and the fact they have done well against the ‘lesser’ teams this season stands them in good stead. United have the experience, squad depth, inspirational players and knowhow to win the league from here and they know they will need to come good in key games, especially after a European week.

One thing is for sure though, it looks like being the most exciting title run in for many years.

Image Courtesy of ***Jennifer M Rukyo*** on Flickr.com

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