The burning question on everyone’s lips as we enter 2011, is whether we have a legitimate five-team race for the Barclay’s Premier League title. The past decade has seen a few exciting two-three team contests but never have this many clubs still been in the hunt at this stage of the season.
When judging the respective merits and chances of each of the five clubs in contention, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham the first point of call is usually the bookies. They’re right more often than they’re wrong and after the blitz of matches over this holiday period they have decided the following:
Manchester United - evens
Arsenal - 10/3
Chelsea - 9/2
Manchester City - 11/2
Tottenham - 20/1
It’s hard to argue with the odds makers but in this particular case I think they’re being a little to generous to some while not recognizing the case of others. With roughly 19 matches to go, give-or-take a couple of postponements, let’s take a look at each club's credentials.
Tottenham
Considered the rank outsiders, I feel that Spurs would definitely be worth a punt on, for a number of reasons. First and most importantly they usually win trophies at the beginning of the decade. No, that’s not the real reason why, but this is a team that is improving match after match. They’ve now discovered how to win the games that in the past they’ve tied or lost. Case in point is the last three fixtures against Villa, Newcastle and Fulham. In previous campaigns, especially after going down to ten players, this is a club that has folded. But now with the added competition in the squad, there is a hunger that has previously been missing.
If defensive consistency can align with the attacking class oozing through the squad and Harry Redknapp makes a shrewd signing or two in January, Spurs could turn the race on its head.
Pivotal Matches: January 16th home to Man United and April 30th away to Chelsea
Manchester City
With a blank checkbook panting for a pen and some zero’s to be added, City have the luxury that their opponents don’t. Namely more money than Bill Gates. So far, we’ve seen that gelling all these baubles isn’t as easy as it looks but like Spurs, City have had a sensational week that has given them belief.
Defensively they look like a throwback to Jose Mourinho and his early Blues days. They’re incredibly tough to break down and are beginning to show signs of the professionalism needed to kill off matches.
The million dollar question is whether Roberto Mancini can manage the minefield of egos at Eastlands. To be fair he has skillfully dealt with the Carlos Tevez situation and looks like he has a handle on Mario Balotelli. If these two stay hot, City will be there at the death.
Pivotal Matches: February 12th away to Man United and March 19th away to Chelsea
Chelsea
With the Blues in freefall, the bookies are being very generous with odds on the defending champions. Something is rotten to the core at Stamford Bridge and unless it’s surgically removed I can’t see Chelsea being anything other than spoilers.
This, though, is a team of champions and they’ve been through tough times before. However, they look tired and seem to lack inspiration. In the past they’ve bought that spark but with Roman Abramovich signaling that the days of girls and champagne are over, it’ll be up to the likes of John Terry and Didier Drogba to raise themselves for one last push while the leadership and man management of Carlo Ancelotti needs to be spot on.
Pivotal Matches: March 1st home to Man United and May 7th away to Manchester United
Arsenal
Is this it? The culmination of five years work, as the professor, Arsene Wenger with the subtle use of alchemy, has finally turned his kids into gold. Unfortunately, for the Gunners the jury is still hung as they have the ability to mesmerize and frustrate in seemingly equal measures.
I actually think Arsenal has the best chance to upset the bookies. However, two things must happen for this to come to pass. Firstly UEFA Champions League involvement ends next month, which it probably will, because Barcelona are the opponents. Secondly, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas remain injury free for the rest of the campaign.
Deep down Wenger knows that this is the scenario that will give his team the required leadership when it comes down to crunch time. He can mix and match the rest of the side but these two must be included in every single match. It really is a no-brainer.
Pivotal Matches: January 5th home to Manchester City & April 30th home to Manchester United
Manchester United
The bookies' favorite to regain their title and in my opinion rightly so.
This is a team that traditionally gets better after the turn of the year and with the luxury of matches in hand they control their own destiny. I also believe that Sir Alex Ferguson has his eyes on two records. Obviously number one is overtaking Liverpool in league titles but the second and so far only whispered, is that of ‘invincibles.’
Yes, his relationship with Wenger has healed over the years but this is a man who remembers every slight. What could be better than knocking the Reds off their perch and then ramming greatness down Arsenal’s throat?
The team looks settled and more importantly has some depth, while Ferguson has instilled that insatiable hunger for success through the core. There are also players within the squad that have much to prove, not only to management but to the fans as well, a combination that will surely generate that extra ten percent when needed.
Pivotal Matches: March 5th away to Liverpool and April 30th away to Arsenal
With just six points separating these five clubs have everything to play for and to add extra spice it pits Manchester versus London, the North against the South.
This will be a race that you’ll not be able to take your eyes off; I’ll bet you on that.
Nick Webster is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the Barclay's Premier League and the English national team.
