THE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE IS STILL ANYONE'S TO WIN

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin

Despite all the hurdles off the pitch, this has been one of the most exciting English Premier League seasons in a long time. Yes, the pandemic is playing a role (over 200 players have had to self-isolate to date) but the level on the pitch remains top quality. We have not been treated to a title race this unpredictable in years. An easy argument can be made for five teams to lift the trophy this year. Let’s break down the contenders.

Manchester City forward dribbles past two Manchester United defenders; Source: Fortune | Photo from Laurence Griffiths

Manchester United (12-4-3 - 40 points)

United sitting at the top of the table is probably the biggest surprise of the season. Fresh off a 2-1 win over Fulham, midfielder Paul Pogba has found his old form again. A midfield consisting of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes has spelled trouble for opponents all season. There’s no secret signing striker Edison Cavani was plan B, possibly plan C for United last summer. I don’t think anyone expected it to work out this well. Four goals and two assists may not sound like much but it’s the timely manner of those goals that make him so valuable. It seems when United need a goal most, he’s the man to step up.

Will they keep it up and ultimately win the league? I don’t think so. One or two losses can push you out of a Champions League spot when the table’s this tight. Ultimately, they will finish top four and qualify for the Champions League which was the goal entering the season.

Manchester City (11-5-2 - 38 points)

Despite the slow start, Manchester City has climbed up the table in recent weeks and have an opportunity to reach the summit this weekend. The Citizens are rolling and have not lost a game in over a month. Spoiler alert, City will most likely never look back once they reach the top. Yes, I think the other Manchester squad will win the league. City was and currently remains the favorite to win this season and I don't think that should change. Credit to the teams around them for keeping up but City is just too deep. Led by Kevin De Bruyne in midfield, the Belgian has endless options when on the ball. Between Raheem Sterling on the wing, Gabriel Jesus at striker, or the emergence of midfielder Phil Foden, all systems are go for the team in blue. I expect them to make a deep run in the Champions League this year as well.

Leicester City (12-2-5 - 38 points)

Everyone’s second team Leicester City is at it again. Just when everyone thinks they will stumble they continue to amaze. Sitting just two points off the lead, you can’t count the foxes out of the title race. In fact, many are starting to believe they can do it again. When Leicester won the Premier League in 2016 soccer fans around the world, even non-soccer fans were in love with the story. Judging how fierce the competition is this year, I would argue it would be even more impressive.

Striker Jamie Vardy has been on fire all year, notching 11 goals and four assists in just 18 games. Midfielder James Maddison has continued to impress as well, adding six goals and two assists. Maddison was believed to be on his way to Manchester United during the offseason. You have to believe if that transfer went through the table would look much different. I want to believe in Leicester. They are a very good team. I just don't think they will be able to continue the form they are in. If Leicester can finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League next year it should be viewed as an outstanding success.

Liverpool (9-7-2 - 34 points)

Perhaps the first team on this list to be disappointed about their position, the defending champions will have a bit of work to do if they want to make it two in a row. Liverpool currently sits six points back of leaders United, albeit with a game in hand. The fact that they sit six points back with a game in hand is probably less concerning than the way they have been playing as of late. Liverpool has failed to score in their last three Premier League games. Last year they scored the most goals in the history of the league. Seemingly out of nowhere the front three of Sadio Mane, Mohammad Salah and Roberto Firmino have become rather predictable and easy to defend. If there is any manager in the world that can rally a team for a game it's Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool has had a fair share of injuries this year, defender Virgil Van Dijk is out for the season, Diogo Jota remains sidelined after an incredible start, but so has everyone else. The defending champions and Champions League winners just two years ago need to find a spark fast. They will turn it around but I don’t see them over-taking City. It’s looking like Liverpool will have to settle for runners-up.

Tottenham (9-6-3 - 33 points)

Last but not least the Tottenham Hotspurs. All in all, it's been a great season for the Spurs. Last year did not go as planned. A full season with Jose Mourinho at the helm seems to have changed that. A reunion with forward Gareth Bale was a win-win for all sides as well. Striker Harry Kane continues to be arguably the top striker in the Premier League. Hueng-Min Son remains one of the top midfielders. Not qualifying for the Champions League last year allowed the Spurs to put all their attention into the league this year and it is showing. The Spurs have been lucky in terms of injuries and if that luck can continue it will show in the standings. I expect the Spurs to finish third in the league, passing Manchester United and Leicester City by season's end.

Of all teams that did not make the list of contenders Chelsea absolutely have been the most disappointing. Chelsea spent big in the summer bringing in germans Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. Currently, the Blues sit eighth in the table, eleven points back. Regaining eleven points on any of the top five teams will be an extremely difficult task.