A MORE complete contest for EPL points would be available this week. It has been weeks since the EPL had a full participation of teams. Of note would be the return of World Club champions Chelsea. What difference will they make? They should for their own survival.
There are 16 points separating them from Manchester City who are firmly planted at the top and seem unmovable.
Let us paint a picture of the EPL with the state of things. The picture could be clearer at the top where the first three teams would not be moved or change positions, whatever happens, or at least, not this week.
The top three is almost sealed to this listing – Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea.
Not so fast Manchester United could be a factor in the outcomes. They seem to be clubbing their way to resurrection. They could change the picture after Sunday’s encounter with Leeds United.
favourable result against Brighton restored the bragging rights of their teeming fans. The “ifs” that can be in Manchester’s side and bring more contests into the League are – Chelsea lose, Manchester win.
Chelsea have been too wasteful with points that two teams lying in the morass of relegation have better records in their past five matches than Chelsea.
Newcastle and Norwich City have better records from their past five games than the world champions.
Only six points from a possible 15 is not the stuff of champions when Newcastle have 11 points and Norwich City got seven points from five games.
A Chelsea win over Crystal Palace will restate their return, warm up the top three and give Liverpool the chase that has been lacking since Manchester City annexed the first spot.
Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace, three straight draws from five games, are hungry for a victory. EPL is a League of no minions. Palace have a point to make and would like to take points making it.
More possibilities abound in the pushes up. The middle of the table, the relegation zones, offer great games that would be garnished with the gritty fights for points.
West Ham and Newcastle come with all the complements of those fights. West Ham fancy a return to number four at the expense of Manchester United. It would happen if United lose or draw. The task would be to stop Newcastle who are bent on giving the relegation belt a decent distance.
Nobody respects Arsenal with all their efforts. They remain under-rated though their results show a consistency in getting the job done. Brentford, their opponents have lost four matches at a stretch, managing a draw in the fifth.
Initially announcements of Brentford’s arrival in EPL have evaporated.
A win is important to sustain Arsenal’s ambition of finishing in the Champions League range. West Ham and United are ahead of them though Arsenal have three games in hand that may be the changer.
Liverpool are on the fast gear to catch Manchester City. Norwich City should not be much of an opposition to their three points. You can count this one for Liverpool.
Brighton versus Burnley; Watford with Leicester, would see two teams in desperate search for points going against the fairly comfortable Brighton and Leicester. Burnley and Watford are dangerous at this point.
Manchester City have remained ruthless whether in Europe or England. Tuesday’s 5-0 defeat of Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 showed again the striking depths of City. The five goals were in 51 minutes of action. Three goals in the first half. By the 58th minute when the scoring blitz that started in the 7th minute ended, four City players had their name on the score sheet.
City scored six goals in their last two EPL games. Will it be different on Sunday?
Tottenham should scare City. They handed City a 1-0 defeat on 15 August 2021, one of two City’s losses this EPL season. How much revenge would be enough in the circumstance?
Enjoy your week.
*Saturday 19 February*
12:30 West Ham v Newcastle
Arsenal v Brentford
Aston Villa v Watford
Brighton v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Liverpool v Norwich
Southampton v Everton
17:30 Man City v Spurs
*Sunday 20 February*
14:00 Leeds v Man Utd
16:30 Wolves v Leicester
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