Approaching the 2/3 mark of the Premier League title race

As the two-third mark of this Barclay’s Premier League season approaches, how are the big clubs faring?

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]helsea already seems to have one hand on the trophy, Southampton has been turning more than a few heads and Manchester United has displayed a valiant effort in recovering from its disastrous last season, and is still chasing a Champions League spot.

But how will things end? We look back in order to look forward.

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho and his men show no sign of faltering. Aside from a few minor hiccups, the Blues are playing what the manager is calling “perfect football”. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have formed a goal-scoring partnership feared by every team in the world. What more can be said?

It is almost a certainty that Chelsea will claim the Premier League trophy at the end of the season. The question is, does Mourinho have what it takes to win the Champions League?

Manchester City

Just five points off current league leaders Chelsea, the defending champions are still in the chase with a reasonable amount of stability. Many may argue that the title-holders are not playing their very best at the moment, dropping points on home ground and to clubs in the lower end of the table.

For the most part, class has prevailed and the Citizens look confident in challenging their rivals, the Blues, right to the finish.

[quote]It is almost a certainty that Chelsea will claim the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.[/quote]

Manchester United

Despite its critics and expectations of fans, Louis van Gaal has done an excellent job so far in reviving a previously deflated Manchester United. The Dutch mastermind has hauled the Red Devils back into the top four, and they are perhaps not out of the title race as well.

Nonetheless, no matter the final standings, Manchester United is likely to at least leapfrog dark horses Southampton into a 3rd place finish, and fans can should be happy that they will be able to see the team in Champions League football next season.

Arsenal

The Gunners have been all about one man this season, their new star Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez has starred in all but one of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season.

The rest of the squad has yet to hit top gear. During the press conference for its most recent game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, manager Arsene Wenger stated that Arsenal has never had this many attacking options at this stage of the season. As its top players start to return from injury, fans will undoubtedly be expecting more.

Liverpool

Liverpool was somewhat of a surprise package last season when it fell short of the title by a hair’s breadth. Unfortunately for the Reds, Luis Suarez’s shoes have proven too big for new signing Mario Balotelli to fill.

Liverpool is a pale shadow of its last season’s self, languishing around mid-table. With talisman and captain Steven Gerrard leaving, the future looks uncertain for the Reds.

Tottenham

Contrary to fans’ expectations, year-old signing Erik Lamela has not yet been able to blossom at his new club. The gap in the squad has been filled by an unexpected hero, the much-lauded 21-year-old Harry Kane.

In true Spurs tradition, they remain perpetually below Arsenal in the table. Is two points too big a hurdle to surmount? Comparing the two squads, it just might be.

By Basil Lee