THE English Premiership League is full of ambitions and targets that make differences in positions on the table. Whatever the situation, Manchester City has set itself apart. Their mission is clear, win the EPL in style, devoid of the last-minute hassles that put the title in contention to the closing stages in the past four editions. The most contentious was the 2018/19 season when they beat Liverpool to the title with a point.
A countback was almost required to be sure who won.
City are clear at the top. As I had mentioned the other week, everyone is depending on City’s next opponents to slow down the more successful of the two Manchester teams. The march to the trophy has been steady even with the two points that City lost in their 22 December rally against Southampton threatening City’s drive to victory. The 1-1 result saw City leading in all the vital statistics, but struggling into the second held to counter a goal lead that Southampton hit in the 7th minute.
Southampton delight in being City’s embarrassment. They could lose to other teams but when it is City, they are back to life. The first leg of that tie had been scoreless. These stumbles make the title seemingly available.
The joke is that City tries to make the title competitive by not blowing teams away even if they can. Is that the situation? As the League goes into the more challenging stages, teams battle with different issues. We would also feel the impact of the January transfer window on some teams.
AFCON 2021 affected some teams too though the schedule helped most teams as there were fewer matches while their players were away to AFCON, sheer coincidence. The teams still complain about how long it takes the returning players to become part of their teams again.
The city goes against Brentford on Wednesday. The game would impact on City’s firm hold at the top. On 29 December Phil Foden’s 16th minute goal earned City the full points against Brentford. The return leg could be tougher against Brentford whose biggest ambition would be to remain in the League next season. They are doing well in that respect.
The other fixtures cannot affect the top three. Chelsea are away to the FIFA World Club Cup. Plus their FA Cup commitments, they are not expected to appear in EPL until February 19. Their third-place appears safe.
Liverpool are paired against lowly Leicester. Some would shout a win for Liverpool who are not with two key players – Mo Salah and Sadio Mane – who are still in AFCON. A victory would maintain a stronger second position for Liverpool. Leicester has three outstanding matches, a Leicester victory would not count for much, they are too down on the table.
Manchester United cherish being in the top four. They could have it or lose it if the opposition from West Ham, Arsenal, and Tottenham continue. United face Burnley on Tuesday; it would be Burnley’s second tie in two days. If United win, they stay in the same position. If they lose, they risk any of these teams West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham, grabbing the fourth position from them.
Three Watford players are back from AFCON. William Troost-Eking, Nigeria, and Moroccan pair of Adam Masina and Imran Louza have rejoined the team after their countries’ eliminations. They would be needed support when Watford duel with Burnley on Saturday for superiority at the bottom. A victory, a loss, a draw, leave them still stuck in the relegation zone. Watford with players from Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Cameroun, called up for AFCON, had a depleted squad in the past few weeks.
One of the wonders of the Premiership is that the efforts of some teams do not reflect so much in their place on the table. Wolves are examples of recent excellence. They are one of two teams to have grabbed 13 points out of a possible 15 in their last five matches. They share the distinction with Manchester City.
Arsenal would be wishing for another opponent for their Thursday fixture. The outcome could see the Wolves replacing Arsenal as sixth on the table and threatening Manchester United. Wolves have outstanding matches too.
Enjoy the games.
EPL Fixtures
Saturday 5 February
19:00 Burnley v Watford
Tuesday 8 February
19:45 Newcastle v Everton
19:45 West Ham v Watford
20:00 Burnley v Man Utd
Wednesday 9 February
19:45 Man City v Brentford
19:45 Norwich v Crystal Palace
19:45 Spurs v Southampton
20:00 Aston Villa v Leeds
Thursday 10 February
19:45 Liverpool v Leicester
19:45 Wolves v Arsenal
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