Premier League- What is left to play for?
This year has been- well ODD- but we have reached the home straight now with only 5 games left to go- And While my team the might Liverpool have got the title they richly deserved other teams haven't felt so happy. I am going to go through all 20 teams and predict where they will end the season
Liverpool-1st (confirmed)
So Liverpool have won their first premier league title for 30 years. You can't say it was a fluke or they didn't deserve it. However, since they are out of all cup competitions you could be excused for thinking the team can go on holiday and relax (they seemed to be when Man City thumped them 4-0) however there is one more thing to play for. Beating Man City's record points total. With 15 points still to go they could do it. It would be the icing on the cake for a terrific season.
Man City Almost certainly 2nd
This year has been tough for Man City. Their luck had completely run out with injuries etc. And to top it all off they are facing a ban from the champions league from Next season which for the owners is the holy grail of success. However, there is a ray of hope- Foden could be a worthy successor to David Silva and they are the favourites for the champions league. And in my opinion, they could do it this time. With Liverpool already out and Chelsea basically out as well (yes I know Spurs are out too but they don't really count in this matter) they don't have any worries via the domestic competition and as for other European neighbours only Bayern and PSG could pose problems (when the season was halted they were beating Real Madrid 2-1 with 2 away goals in the first leg so I would assume they would get though that last 16 tie.) However, Bayern are not perfect as Liverpool beat them comfortably last season and PSG will not be sharp as their domestic season was completely called off. As for the elephant in the room Barcelona- They are not the powerhouse they were even two years ago and their season is falling off the tracks. Man City will never have a better opportunity to win the champions league as they will not have to bother with domestic issues.
The Race for Europe (Leicester, Chelsea, Man United, Wolves, Arsenal, Sheffield United and Spurs)
Man City's ban (unless it gets overturned) from the champions league means that 5th place may be enough to get into the champions league. Before Lockdown Sheffield United looked to be that team who could reach it (god help us). However, since the restart, Chris Wilder's side haven't looked great and are falling down the table hard. However Man United have had the opposite response though. Barring an interesting draw with Spurs, they have looked very sharp upfront and with Pogba fit and interested again Man united may get a spot in the champions league. Chelsea and Leicester have had mixed fortunes since the restart but Leicester in particular need to pick up some points soon because unlike United and Wolves (and Chelsea I suppose but they are only in the champions league still by default since they are losing 3-1 to Bayern and won't beat them in the return leg) they don't have insurance just in case they miss out on a champions league place. What Wolves (who did start brightly in the restart but will be hoping that the loss to Arsenal is just a blip) and United have is the Europa league where the winners get through to the champions league. Man United are the favourites to win it (and I personally think they will). Wolves are the second favourites as well. They won't want to rely on winning the competition to get in though and one of those teams will miss out. Out of Leicester, Chelsea, Man United and Wolves I think Wolves will just miss out.
As for the two North London clubs, this season has been a disaster for them both but they could still get Europa league places. I don't think either of them wants it though as the Europa league can sometimes be an unwelcome burden. Arsenal did return dreadfully but have started to pick up results while Spurs remain an ageing team that no manager could work wonders with. I think that Spurs will miss out completely and St Totteringham day will be happening again soon.
Pride and Top Ten if Nothing else (Burnley, Everton, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Southampton)
I know Burnley are currently above Spurs but I highly doubt they are thinking about the Europa League. Most of these teams have restarted fairly well (with the exception of Palace who are looking like 14th maybe their home)- I have to say that Prior to December that I wouldn't have said that Everton or Southampton had a chance of finishing in the top 10. Well, they could still do it. But Newcastle have been the real stars of the restart. okay, they haven't had too many hard tests (saying that they have City next. Gulp) Maybe the fans not being there has been a blessing for them for once. With the unknown about the takeover (Talk about a Sophie's choice moment Picking either Mike Ashley or Saudi Arabia) they have done a good job and Steve Bruce deserves a lot of credit this season. My gut instinct says that Burnley may hang on to their top 10 place.
Relegation (Brighton, West Ham, Watford, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Norwich)
Okay, let's face facts. Norwich are down. They can't defend and can't score. And they are SEVEN points adrift with only 15 left to play for. They are down. While the table looks kinder to Bournemouth the results haven't. They have been shocking and have conceded 12 goals. in only four games. and they have Spurs, City (god help them) and Leicester for their next 3 games. They are down. Villa have kinder fixtures ahead and their final game against West Ham could be a major game. quite Frankly barring Brighton (who have saved themselves And I think are now safe) they bottom 5 have been shocking, and fully deserve to be where they are. Personally, since West ham got the win against Chelsea (the only time they have looked decent) it looks like the bottom 3 at this current time (Norwich, Bournemouth and Aston Villa) will be the 3 that go down. However, the Watford vs West Ham game and the Final fixture of west Ham vs Villa could be a real treat.
So that's my ramblings over with. Let's see if any of the above happens or Chelsea can stunt us all and win the Champions League again.
