Who is for the Top (Four)?

The Premiership seems to be heading for an interesting conclusion to the season.

1: Man City		2: Man Utd
P36 GD+61 Pts83		P36 GD+53 Pts83
Newcastle (a)		Swansea (h)
QPR (h)		Sunderland (a)

Manchester United and Manchester City are both vying for the title.


Fight for the Remaining Champions League Places and Third Place

3: Arsenal		4: Tottenham		5:Newcastle		6:Chelsea
P36 GD+24 Pts66		P36 GD+23 Pts65		P36 GD+9 Pts65		P36 GD+21 Pts61
Norwich (h)		Aston Villa (a)		Man City (h)		Liverpool (a)
West Brom (a)		Fulham (h)		Everton (a)		Blackburn (h)

Recent results have seen the race for the final Champions League places get closer.

Updated: 03/05/2012

I think that the top four will finish:

1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Tottenham Hotspur
4. Arsenal

I think that Chelsea and Liverpool just lack an real momentum to gain that fourth place. I think Arsenal catching up will urge Spurs to improve.

Liverpool lack a clinical striker to propell them to fourth, it pains me to see how many chances we've wasted this season and leaves me wondering had we taken them where we'd be.

Arsenal have to be careful with RVP, if he gets injured they are very short upfront, and defensively they still look all at sea but should have enough to see of Chelsea.

City
Utd
Arsenal
Chelsea

As soon as Capello left and @Arry's name was mentioned as England manager the wheels were destined to come off. As an Arsenal fan, I'm over the moon.

City
Utd
Arsenal
Spurs

I wouldn't rule out spurs finishing above Arsenal but looking at the run ins for the teams chasing 3rd and 4th, Chelsea have the hardest.

Chelsea have a huge squad with experienced players who will not feel the pressure as much as spurs. Expect to see Bale attempting to qualify for the Olympic diving team.

I have updated the original post and added fixture list tables.

Man Utd
Man City
Arsenal
Tottenham
Chelsea
Newcastle
Liverpool

Utd
City
Tottenham
Arsenal
Chelsea
Liverpool
Everton

Citeh
Utd
Spurs
Arsenal

Updated tables. Man City had a crucial win against Chelsea to maintain their title challenge, with the reintroduction of Tevez - who showed his master quality in setting up the second goal - perfect positioning to receive the ball, protecting the ball with his body, waiting for Nasri to run through, and then a ball "through the eye of a needle" back to Nasri. It makes me wonder whether the "Tevez" incident could have been handled differently. Alex Ferguson (or a former player) revealed there had been a similar situation with Scholes refusing to play a few years ago, but obviously Ferguson handled that differently.

In terms of the battle for championship places, Arsenal have moved into third place. Chelsea's home tie with Tottenham looks to be crucial for Chelsea, who also have to play Arsenal away later on in the season.

I have UTD to win league by 5 - 9 points looking at the games that are left.

Arsenal seem to be bankers for third, they have the experience and the form to push forwards from here on in.
Then it's a dogfight between Chelsea and Spurs for fourth and if Chelsea win on Saturday, I'd expect them to sew it up, with Spurs struggling to finish ahead of Newcastle for the Europa league spot.

...but what happens if Chelsea pull off a miracle and win the CL and finish fifth in the league, do we get 5 teams in the CL next year, or would fourth (probably Spurs) miss out on a place?

They altered the rule when Liverpool did it, the champions have to defend their title and I don't think it affects the league spots.

It has been said that Mancini has a tendency to go defensive when playing away from home, that he is less attack minded than Ferguson's team. I think this difference is one of the reasons why Man City have "dropped" points relative to Man Utd. Stoke 1 - Man City 1.

England will only be given 4 places regardless of IF Chelsea win the CL - therefore whoever finishes 4th will miss out on the CL. Not sure if that means they'll then be given the Europa league spot and 6th will miss out altogether or what.

I see it as

1. Man C
2. Man U
3. Arsenal
4. Chelsea
5.Spurs
6. Liverpool
7. N/castle

1.city
2.united
3.spurs
4.arsenal

If united win tonight they would have to be favourites.

They would then have won 6 in a row with 4 games against 4 of the bottom 6, Everton at home then the city game.

Citys next 5 games include 3 away games, with visits to the emirates and Norwich who are decent at home. They've also Newcastle away in the penultimate game.

It is feasible that City could beat United and still finish 2nd - see a lot of people backing city, any particular reason why?

Also think Spurs have a great run in and it will take 2 big wins from Arsenal against city and chelsea to pip them to 3rd.

Still think City have a very good chance to win the league, Tevez will have a massive say in Citys season for me. They should have beaten Stoke at the weekend, and if not for the goal of the season by Crouch they would have.

I would fancy City to beat Norwich, Sunderland, QPR, Wolves, and Newcastle, probably getting a draw at Arsenal and who knows at OT.

I'd fancy United to beat Swansea, QPR, Wigan, Blackburn and Villa, I think Fulham could snatch a draw tonight, Everton could get a draw and Sunderland last game is no easy place to go and win, even more so now Steve Bruce isn't there to do them any favours

It looks like Man U are going to win the Premiership for the second year running with workmanlike and pragmatic football rather than with the sort of attacking, swaggering soccer of some of the past Fergie sides.
I know that everything has gone into silencing the noisy neighbours this campaign, but it has led to some rather dour performances. One thing that can be said is that United have been unbelievably clinical in front of goal and you can't fault their goal-per-match ratio.
Just wish the title could have been won with a bit more style.

I blame it on Mancini's natural tendency (the Italian style?) to play a more defensive strategy compared to Ferguson's more attack minded approach, that has swung things around in favour of United in the second half of the season.

sirfredperry wrote:It looks like Man U are going to win the Premiership for the second year running with workmanlike and pragmatic football rather than with the sort of attacking, swaggering soccer of some of the past Fergie sides.
I know that everything has gone into silencing the noisy neighbours this campaign, but it has led to some rather dour performances. One thing that can be said is that United have been unbelievably clinical in front of goal and you can't fault their goal-per-match ratio.
Just wish the title could have been won with a bit more style.

Well ita far from over (given our terrible performance last night), but I think the criticism of the manner of victory is harsh. We are top scorers and even last night had nearly 20 attempts on goal.

We've taken 6 points from arsenal, spurs and 4 from Liverpool and Chelsea.

Granted the leagues weak this year but it is weak for city too.

United will win the league but they should have dropped two points last night if it was'nt for that weak homer ref bottling giving that stone wall pen at Old Trafford. I hope it does'nt get decided by that shocking decision or it will be another tarnished title for bacon face.

Don't care who wins the league both clubs are sell outs.

I hope Newcastle can go on a similar run to the one they produced in the first 11 games, which would be likely good enough to over throw Spurs.

Tables updated.

It's funny that during the season all the talk has been about Man City (Tevez, Ballotelli), Arsenal (poor start, Van Persie, Oxalade-Chambers), Tottenham ('Arry for Engerrland), Chelsea (AV Boas being sacked, aging side) yet there has hardly been anything said of Man Utd.

At the beginning of the season there was mention of Paul Scholes being brought out of retirement, and that Sir Alex probably has two more years left managing the side, but during the season they have gone more or less under the radar. Yet in a few years time all that will be remembered of this season is that a) Man Utd win yet another title (most likely).

Man City losing 1-3 to Sunderland.
Arsenal losing 1-2 to QPR.
Chelsea drawing 2-2 at Aston Villa (it was 2-0 to Chelsea five minutes ago).

Two goals in two minutes Man City 3 Sunderland 3. Man City still need to win.
Chelsea go back ahead of Villa 3-2.

Torres scores 4-2 to Chelsea.

Newcastle are currently beating Liverpool 2-0. Newcastle's next four fixtures after today are all winnable, which means they too could be a realistic challenge for the top four, or at least be good contenders come May, where their last three matches are very difficult (but they will have something to play for).

city do appear to be bottling it at the wrong time of the season.

cricketfan90 wrote:city do appear to be bottling it at the wrong time of the season.

That's what happens when you load your team with ex arsenal players

With seven games to go the (BBC) experts predict the top four finishers:
All six go for
1. Man Utd
2. Man City
All six go for Arsenal and Tottenham to make up the remainder of the qualifying champions league places, with three going for Arsenal to finish third and the other three going for Spurs to finish third.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17588745

Congratulations to Man Utd for winning the title, although today they had a big helping hand from the referee. They are now 8 points ahead of Man City plus have a better goal difference (by +2), and there are only 6 games remaining. Man City also had Ballotelli sent off meaning at least a 4 four game suspension (due to his poor disciplinary record). Man City last 9 games away in the League have resulted in 2 wins 2 draws and 4 losses.

It looks that way although I'll still be biting my nails until it's mathematically nailed on

Gotta say though Ballotelli is an absolute muppet, there's players in that City team, mainly Hart and Kompany who don't really deserve to have their season end like this because of this chumps actions

It would be amazing if Newcastle were able to finish above Spurs in the league - they are currently level on points although Spurs have a massive goal difference advantage. Reasons why it will still be very difficult for Newcastle to finish in the top four - their last three games against top opposition (Chelsea, Man City and Everton), and Chelsea are given a big helping hand from the referee and linesmen due to their "big club / russian wealth" status - which helped get them three points against Wigan.

It looks like Spurs also had the big team benefit from the referee and linesmen, with Norwich being denied two stone-wall penalty claims. Fortunately none of the Norwich players were sent off, and Norwich kept going to score goals in open play that couldn't be ruled for off-side etc.

I really think Newcastle have every chance, they're winning game after game at a better rate than virtually anyone else. Stoke at home next and although the last three games are tough, Man City will have probably lost the title, Chelsea are not the team of a few years ago and Everton are decent, but Newcastle are better as we can see with the big gap in points. I say Arsenal third, Newcaslte fourth

The Argentinian pairing of Aguero and Tevez, really works for Man City. Tevez has just scored away to Norwich in the 18th minute, he won't of course last the match. There is no doubting Tevez is a brilliant player and Man City have missed him. It's a shame for Man City that everything went pear shaped between him and Mancini. Aguero has now scored, Man City leading 2-0 away to Norwich.

I can see it going to the last game. I expect City to beat Utd in the derby match and probably win their remaining games. Goal difference will be critical and with city free scoring again, a draw in UTD's last match against Sunderland will cost them the EPL title.

Newcastle away will be huge for city. Its a win at all costs game. If Newcastle have Champions league ambitions, it will be a fun game.

i want totenham to get in however its gonna be

man u
man c
arsernal
chelsea

Updated tables.

I think Chelsea now have a chance of finishing fourth, with Newcastles loss today to Wigan and difficult run-in, and Spurs loss of form.

After 30 minutes Chelsea lead QPR 4-0 with a brace from Torres. Whatever happens next I think Di Matteo has done enough to get the Chelsea job. The change from AVB to Di Matteo has been astonishing - all starting with the Napoli reversal.

spurs to snatch it but miss out when chelsea win the champions league

updated. Critical match between the two Manchester clubs on Monday.

Updated - Man City now lead Utd on goal difference.

Manchester City's return to form has coincided with the reintroduction of Tevez into the side. Coincidence?

Not at all. The partnership between Aguero and Tevez should have been their partnership all year, in terms of footballing ability Dzeko and Balotelli aren't close to Tevez and that's not taking into account the fact that Aguero and Tevez compliment each other much better than Aguero and any other striker.

All three teams competing for the fourth and final European Champions League Spot are playing this evening:

Chelsea v Newcastle 19:45
Bolton v Tottenham 20:00

On a separate matter, a Bolton win will more or less consign Blackburn to the Championship and relegation from the Premiership.

Updated - it now seems likely that the final two "champions league" places will go to Arsenal and Spurs. I don't see Spurs dropping any further points, now that the uncertainty surrounding them has been lifted.

It's funny - Mancini's post match comments after his wins against Man Utd and Newcastle - bleary eyed, dazed and drained. The pressure is really getting to him, but he has shown his tactical excellence in beating both Man Utd and Newcastle. A win at home to QPR will see him guide Man City to win their first top league title for over forty years. What a season - Balotelli and Tevez in the same team!

if tevez stays on- which i hope he does, and i hope he apoligies on a mass scale!! man city will be frightening next season