Can Manchester City win the Premier League as they did in 2012?
I say new because it would a miracle, within a dream, within an epiphany for former champions, Manchester United, to win the premier league this season. Even then some may question the likelihood.
The sudden decline of last season’s Champions under Moyes left the opportunity for arguably the most hotly contested season in modern British football, with the proliferation of England’s best, both old and new, to attempt former glory and win the Premier League once again.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. This season’s top three who have all shown dominance, have dreamt of the possibility of lifting the Premier League trophy in May… and there hasn’t been much between the teams. With only three games left, let’s assess each team’s stake in the premier League spoils for May.
Liverpool (80 points)
Against the other two:
Man City Loss 2-1 Loss Away
Chelsea Loss 2-1 Loss Away
Man City – Win 3-2 Home
Chelsea Home (April)
Liverpool, whether or not they lift the trophy next month have received the award for most improved team in the Premier League, and have gone from Europa League contenders to establishing themselves within the Premier League’s most powerful.
What Brendan Rogers has achieved since transferring to Anfield is a little shy of wizardry. The improvement of the squad without outrageous spending should be sure to earn him the manager of the year award.
Rogers’ managerial talent has improved each player individually. The huge investment in youth has paid huge dividends in the form of starlets Sterling, Henderson and Coutinho, whilst Gerrard has continued to captain his team through fine example. Agger and Skrtel have lead the defence in the same way Vidic and Ferdinand once kept the best strikers at bay in recent years. Further afield, this season has birthed arguably the most feared strike-force in the world in form of Suarez and Sturridge (or SAS as they have been commonly known as). Based on their jointed goal record alone (50 goals in 35 appearances), Liverpool could very well lift the trophy in May. The importance of Suarez has been key in Liverpool’s success and Brendan Rogers should be looking to purchase outfield players who could play around him as it has worked so well this season.
Liverpool remain five points clear at the top, with Anfield a fortress which could prove fundamental in the home game against Chelsea which could see Liverpool crowned champions. Even with Man City’s game in hand, at this point you’d expect Liverpool to remain favourites to lift the trophy, and if there is any season where Liverpool deserve such dues, it would be this one.
They may have won only one of the fixtures against Chelsea and Man City, but as Manchester United have repeatedly shown us, winning the big games is only one side of the coin in a league where any team can beat anybody. Liverpool have retained a strong sense of confidence on the pitch and commitment between games. And the result? After 25 years the Premier League is finally theirs to lose. Odds: 2/1 favourites.
Chelsea (75 points)
Against the other two
Man City Win 2-1 Home
Liverpool Win 2-1 Home
Man City Loss 2-0 Away
Liverpool Away (April)
Chelsea had relished the return of their ‘Chosen One’ and Mourinho has failed to disappoint with Chelsea contenders for the Champions League as well as mounting a challenge against Liverpool and Man City. Mourinho reintroduced depth in his squad the same way which he did for Inter and Real Madrid.
The squad he left six years ago still remained in some form, and transferring the players that previously played under him meant Mourinho could bring in the right players, which he has. Matic, Willian, Shurrle, Salah have comfortably taken to the field to prove their worth with respect to the void filled by the likes of two-time Chelsea player of the year Mata, Malouda and the Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. Coupled with international stars Oscar and Hazard who have come into their element under the guidance of Mourinho, Chelsea have mounted a serious challenge all season, even finding themselves points clear at the top of the Premier League at times this season. Whilst there have been problems up front for the Blues, their sheer quality in midfield has contributed to home wins against the other two this season.
Chelsea have been one of the most consistent between the three, in a season which has produced the greatest three-way tie of recent years. Their inclusion in this season’s Champions League could prove costly in their fight against Liverpool and City who have less to think about when it comes to squad rotation, however if there is any of the three who could handle the last leg of this campaign in such a way it would be Mourinho’s men who have demonstrated a high commitment to taking each game as it comes and maintained a high confidence within the squad. With the leadership of Mourinho, it would be the first time Chelsea prove their worth by winning the league as they did in
the 09/10 season. Odds: 4/1.
Manchester City (74 points)
Against the other two:
Liverpool Win 2-1 Home
Chelsea Win 2-0 Home
Liverpool Loss 3-2 Away
Chelsea Loss 2-1 Away
Manchester City. The strongest team of the three in recent seasons, Pellegrini’s men have already claimed silverware in the form of the League Cup against Sunderland in March. However since then, they have been defeated in the champions league by Barcelona, in the FA Cup by Wigan, drew against Arsenal and lost against Liverpool.
They have an abundance of depth within the squad with the likes of Nasri, Fernandinho, Silva… Aguero… Yaya Toure… Must I go on? In short, their ‘second’ team is effectively as proved at times as strong as their first. Based on the pure talent within the squad alone, City have mounted a strong challenge in the Premier League all season long. City must attempt to win the league by simply concentrating on their remaining games with hope that a draw between Chelsea and Liverpool will help their claim to Premier League Glory. But a League Cup is of remote importance for a team such as Man City. But if the opportunity arises, I would bet on Manchester City grasping it with both hands. Odds: 3/1.
What a season this one has been. Three games left and either Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City can win the Premier League. Who do you think deserves it?
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