Since the turn of the year, the Premier League has remained behind closed doors: players are being tested every week and new corona virus cases are emerging even more frequently. Off the pitch, the world of football has been brought to a halt, the idea of teams celebrating a last-minute winner with their fan’s seems a distant memory. But on it, the games have come thick and fast. This season the premier league has been more unpredictable than ever with nine different teams having topped the table at one point. The most recent addition to this list is Manchester City, who since the start of the year have amassed a whopping thirty-three points out of a possible thirty-three; recently scoring four at the home of champions Liverpool, who have only managed seven points from twenty-seven in that time. Manchester City have been without the injured Aguerö for the most part of the season, and have had to go without Gabriel Jesus for long parts of the season too. This has shone the light on midfielder Gündogan. The German has been playing as a false nine and since the middle of December has had 13 goal involvements, acting as a goalscorer rather than a facilitator. His form has also coincided with the new found centre-back partnership of Rueben Dias and John Stones. Dias was the club’s record signing, for £64 million. The Portuguese international has made a noticeable difference to City’s defence, with his natural ball playing ability, and leadership skills. John Stones has made his way back into City’s starting XI after a long time sat on the bench, and the pair have kept the most clean sheets in the league, seven since the turn of the year. City currently have a ten-point lead at the top of the table, ahead of rivals Manchester United.
Manchester United have been City’s closest challengers this season, spearheaded by the Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Bruno is second for both goals and assists this season, and has followed on from his record-breaking year last year, with the most goal contributions in a calendar year. In recent weeks, the reds have been inconsistent, losing 2-1 to Sheffield United in the same week which they dished out a 9-0 thrashing to Southampton at Old Trafford. Unless Manchester City manage to slip up, the title is theirs for the taking. Manchester United would need a very good run of form from now until the end of the season if they hope to catch up to their Manchester rivals.
The race for Europe remains close, withal the teams in the top half of the table still in contention for the coveted Champions league and Europa league places. A team on form are West Ham, who have only dropped 4 points since the beginning of January and are in pole position for fourth spot. David Moyes has assembled a very good attacking force, with new loanee signing Jesse Lingard amongst the goals already. Central midfielder and Czech international Tomas Soucek has also contributed heavily from midfield, in addition to Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio who have 16 goals and assists between them. The Hammers have to face Man City, Man United and Arsenal within their next 4 games, so we will see how strong contenders they really are.
Arsenal have been off the pace for the most part of the season, but following their Boxing Day triumph over London rivals Chelsea they have been on better form, but still not enough to take them up the table. After their F.A cup final victory last season over the blues, Arsenal were among many people’s favourites for a Champions league spot, but they are very far off that now. The Gunners have lacked fire power in attack this season, which isn’t something we are used to saying with Arsenal. Their star-striker Aubameyang has only managed 8 goals this season, which for his standards are well below par. Manager Mikel Arteta has certainly fixed Arsenal’s defence, and this season they have the third best defensive record in the league. This has been the club’s main problem in previous seasons, but Mikel made it his number one priority. New signing Gabriel, the Brazilian centre-half from Lille, has impressed in his first season in the league, and has been helped by the brilliance of Scottish fullback Kieran Tierney. However, the problem lies on the other end of the pitch, where Arsenal are 12th for goals scored this season, which will have to change is they want to secure European football for next season.
Noisy neighbours Tottenham had an exceptional start to the season, and were top of the table due to the scintillating partnership of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. The pair have a combined 43 goals and assists between them, and are on course to be one of the Premier League’s best all-time partnerships. However, the team from North London haven’t had the results they’d hoped for these last two months, and this dip in form has seen them slip to 9th in the table. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool and Everton are all in and around the Champions league places, but as the season goes on, we will surely see some clubs drop off the pace in the race for top 4.
At the foot of the table, bottom club Sheffield United look set for relegation, as do fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion. Fulham are third from bottom under Scott Parker, but Newcastle, Brighton and Burnley all remain near the relegation zone. Only time will tell which of them will face the drop into the championship.
Written by Sammy Bouchebaba, 11NG
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