City, Chelsea, Arsenal…is that how it will end up?
A Third Of The Season To Go: Who’s The True Favourite?
This weekend’s 25th round of matches will mark the transition into the final third of the Premier League campaign. In the eyes of most supporters and analysts alike, there are essentially three clubs vying for the title: preseason favourites Manchester City, Chelsea, and, in a bit of a surprise to some who forecasted a grim season, Arsenal. Liverpool is still in the equation to an extent, and Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have put in very respectable efforts, but the three at the top are the true contenders, barring a miraculous turn of events.
But which club is the true favourite, if there is one? Heading into the final third, here are a few thoughts on key factors relating to this crucial debate.
The Official Odds
Perhaps the most accurate place to look as far as determining a favourite from here on out would be the BetFair sports betting platform, where odds are updated constantly based on the latest results and events. This site, like others of its ilk, has had the “Big Three” out in front all year. Currently, Man City is listed as the overall favourite, with even odds to capture the league title. Chelsea and Arsenal are just behind at 2/1 and 4/1 odds, respectively.
The Current Standings
No need to dwell here, but one peek at the league tables will show you that Arsenal maintains the slimmest of advantages, with 55 points to 53 for both Man City and Chelsea. Arsenal has had a slim lead for the majority of the season thus far.
The Fixtures To Come
A third of the season amounts to a lot of matches remaining, really, and there will certainly be some surprising results. But here’s how the three contenders stack up in terms of difficult challenges remaining (here we’ll define that as any match against a top-five team) according to the fixtures listed at Fox Sports.
- Manchester City have only two matches remaining against top-five teams, both away from home: against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, and against Liverpool at Anfield.
- Chelsea has three such matches: against Everton and Arsenal at home at Stamford Bridge, and against Liverpool at Anfield.
- Arsenal has four such matches: away against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Everton, and at Emirates Stadium against Man City.
The Current Trends
Just as Man City was beginning to look like a rather unstoppable goal scoring machine, Chelsea stopped them in their tracks on their own field this past week. Jose Mourinho is claiming his Chelsea team are not frontrunners, but at this point they have a claim as the hottest team in the league, the January 29 draw with West Ham notwithstanding. Meanwhile, Arsenal have an argument as the steadiest team thus far, but have largely been beating up on lesser opponents since December, when they drew with Chelsea at home and lost badly to Man City.
So… who does all this leave as the true favourite? Really, even with a detailed look like this it’s tough to say. And frankly, it may be foolish to count Liverpool out when they still play each of the top three at home! Adding it all up, however, Chelsea looks like the team to bet on because they have the strongest recent play and probably the easiest remaining schedule. But only time will tell, and as of now Arsenal is out in front with a strong chance to win the league!
If it wasn’t for their Billionaire owners buying what they could never and would never achieve (cheating in other words) then chelsea and man city would be in mid-table mediocrity (at best). Arsenal and Liverpool would be fighting it out for the title.
What makes up capital of a business? Is owners fund not part of capital? Stop deluding urself, even without Chelsea and mancity u cannot win the league
Liverpool have been spending upward of 50M every season. The difference is while Chelsea and Man C have bought wisely; Liverpool have squandered their funds (barring Suarez). Take the money factor away and Arsenal & Everton would be fighting it out!
I think it would be Arsenal & Everton , not liverpool based on spending who would be fighting for the title.
Enter cheat code 673978468362 for ‘unlimited funds’.
@ste Well I think, that’s just the way it is..
On the other hand, the top three was unbeatable for the past few weeks and they played very well. Manchester City and Chelsea though are tied up on the second spot.
U guyz frm the start u stil sayng the sem…arsenal r nt title contenders til now bt we still on top of de league keep saying n wait n see…arsenal….
Its very funny how u managed to leave out man city going away to everton.u biased writer.city are where they are cos in the first half of the season all the top 7 sides except chelsea went to play at the ethihad.we all knw how ordinary they look away from home.how do u think they would fare at some of the toughest grounds in d epl.anfield,gooddison park,emirates,old trafford.we all know they lost at stanford bridge.
You conveniently kept away Everton from top 5 when analysing Man City’s remaining matches. Well, fact is …Man City will still visit Godison Park and a very terrible ground for them in recent past.
On the other hand, Arsenal will visit Anfield and Godison Park…but when last did The Gunners drop maximum points at both venues?
From Chelsea’s home draw with West Ham, it is clear the trend hasn’t changed. Mourinho may be an expert at big games…but ‘smaller’ teams still remain his Achilles heels and he has more of such matches in wait. Man City has the best starting 11 in the League but without Aguero and Fernandinho, they looked ordinary against Chelsea…the same effect whenever they miss Kompany or Yaya.
So, don’t place a bet yet!