Premier League Set For Another Close Finish

The end of the Premier League season is closing in and yet there is still everything to play for at both ends of the table. At the top there is a four way race for the title and at the bottom, ten teams could still be realistically relegated. The race to stay up is one of the closest in recent times as ten points separate the bottom half. Rooted in 20^th place are Fulham, having played more games than most of the sides above them and four points from safety things are looking bleak for a side that have underperformed all season.

Above the Cottagers lie Cardiff having also played 30 games and Sunderland on 25 points apiece. Sunderland however have a lifeline with at least two games in hand on some teams and three on others due to their League Cup excursions. Three points above the relegation zone sees Crystal Palace and West Brom. The Eagles were favourites for the drop pre-season but since the arrival of Tony Pulis, Palace have shown real determination to stay up. More than can be said for West Brom who have only won one game under Pepe Mel, however that victory may just stem the tide for the previously free falling Midlanders.

One point further up are Norwich and Swansea. For Norwich the next four games are crucial, failure to secure a strong points return from these games could see them in real trouble as their final four games are against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Swansea meanwhile have been distracted by their participation in the Europa League, though after their elimination at the hands of Napoli, the Swans can now focus on staying up.

In 13^th place are the most impressive of last season’s promoted sides, Hull City. The Tigers have been organised under Steve Bruce and were one of the most productive sides in the January transfer widow, signing strikers Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic who have both impressed. A single point above Hull are West Ham who are reaping the rewards of sticking with their manager when things weren’t going right.

Sam Allardyce is an experienced manager and the Hammers seem to have turned things round. A further three points clear are Stoke in 11^th and Aston Villa in 10^th, Villa having played a game less than the Potters. Both sides should be okay if they can reach the Holy Grail of 40 points sooner but will still be looking over their shoulders for the rest of the campaign.

Far away from the struggles of relegation are the four teams vying for Premier League glory. Top of the table are Chelsea, in Jose Mourinho the Blues have one of the most successful managers around and also have the league’s meanest defence. However one potential fly in the ointment is that Chelsea are still in the Champions League, how well Mourinho can juggle his squad will determine whether the Blues will be League champions in May. Second in the league are dark horses Liverpool.

The Reds entered this season with the primary aim of qualifying for the Champions League, yet it is nearly April and they find themselves four points off top with a game in hand. Armed with the most potent strike force in the country Liverpool may be about to return to their long vacated throne. Arsenal sit in third place level on points with Liverpool and have been contenders throughout. The Gunners are in the midst of some tough fixtures so it is testament to their title credentials, should they manage to still be within touching distance on the other side of these games, with no Champions League distraction Arsenal will become a real threat.

However, the team with their destiny in their own hands is Manchester City. City have games in hand on all their title rivals and know that if they win every game they have left they will be crowned champions. Easier said than done but if they do manage this feat which includes games against Arsenal and Liverpool plus the Manchester Derby, they will be deserving champions.

There are still many twists left in this most competitive of seasons with only one certainty and that is we are sure to be on the edge of our seats right until the final whistles on the 11^th May.