As football resumes across Europe, it appears there would be no stopping an eventual coronation of Liverpool as Premier League champions this season, but there are questions over which teams would finish in the top four.
Reigning champions Man City, who have amassed 198 points in the previous two seasons, have
shockingly fallen well below their own standards in this campaign.
They still produce remarkable performances and show they can be ruthless against any team caught napping, but the absence of injured center-half Aymeric Laporte has left them exposed at the back.
A handful of teams including Wolves and Man United – who have each inflicted defeat on Pep Guardiola’s men twice this season –have exploited this weakness, dealing a blow to the Cityzen’s ambition of sealing a third consecutive
title.
However, with their star defender Laporte set to return to action when the league resumes next
Wednesday, it’s hard to imagine City going off 2 nd place at the end of the day – talk less of ceding a
Champions League qualification spot (hopefully, if their appeal at CAS is successful).
Now to the 3rd and 4th spots. Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers this season have truly impressed, no doubt. The improvement is there for all to see. After 29 rounds of games, they have already scored more goals and amassed more points than they did in the entire 2018/19 league campaign.
But worth noting is the fact that they have experienced a dip in form since the turn of 2020, garnering
just 11 points in 9 games.
Jamie Vardy’s goal drought coupled with the absence of midfield general Wilfred Ndidi largely contributed to their winless run. However, the Foxes made an emphatic return to winning ways in their last game before the season postponement due to Covid-19 – a 4-0 win against Aston Villa with Vardy scoring a brace off the bench and Ndidi making a return to league action.
Now on 53 points, eight clear of fifth-placed Man United, the top four race is all theirs to lose.
Conversely, the race for 4 th place is quite open. Eight points separate Chelsea who currently hold the
spot and 9th placed Arsenal, who notably have a game in hand.
Chelsea haven’t really had problems with scoring thus far but their defending has left a great deal to be desired of Frank Lampard’s team. Infact,you will have to go back to November, 2019 for the last time Chelsea had back-to-back league wins –such is the state of their inconsistent run this season. All the same, their 4-0 win over Everton in March was enough to keep their three points lead over Man United in 5 th place.
Talking of United, the return of maestro Paul Pogba and the possibility of his pairing with Bruno
Fernandes in midfield is expected to bolster the side’s chances.
It’s no coincidence that Ole Solskjaer’s wards have avoided defeat in all nine games (6W, 3D) since Fernandes debuted in February. The arrival of the Portuguese talisman has restored confidence to the side and there’s no gainsaying that his combination with Pogba will ensure United finish the season on a high.
Wolves – as they’ve proven time and again – are no pushovers, so are Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who are seemingly punching above their weight in their first season on return to the topflight.
Tottenham outrightly lost the plot – winless in last six games in all comps – just before the break, but
Jose Mourinho can be trusted to make the most of the respite and try to turn their fortune around.
Arsenal haven’t lost a league game this year, you really can’t write off such a resurgent team in the race
for the top-four.
A smart punter will easily put his money on Liverpool, Man City and Leicester finishing in the top-three.
The fight for 4 th place looks destined to be between Chelsea and Man United, but of course it’s the
Premier League: be ready for suprises.