WHICH is more important to supporters of Manchester City and Liverpool? Is it the UEFA Champions League title or winning the EPL? The debates are raging.
Either team could win both, win one or none. Their successes have pitched them against each other. The rivalries ripple with new possibilities as the contests narrow to their pinpoint conclusions.
Between the duo lies the certainty that the EPL title is only for two teams,. Short of a disqualification, none of the other teams stands a chance. Chelsea posed a challenge but that has long fizzled out.
The EPL tensions get higher daily. Any slip is disastrous. City and Liverpool are holding on well with only five matches to go.
Liverpool should be tenser. They are after four titles this season. The Carabao Cup is in the kitty at the expense of Chelsea. Another confrontation with Chelsea over the FA Cup with determine the second trophy.
Then there is the UEFA challenge in the form of Spanish contenders Real Madrid and Villarreal. Like the English teams, they stand a chance of ensuring an all-Spanish final, one of them qualifying, or not making it at all.
City mismanaged the first leg with their 4-3 victory. A wider margin would have provided more comfort in the second leg in Madrid. The huge away scores could count in Madrid’s interest.
Liverpool did a little better with a tight 2-0 victory over Villarreal. The return tie would be fiercely contested. If Liverpool wins, they would be minutes away from their second title of the season.
Who would be their opponents in the final?
Their opponents in the EPL are known for encounters that could sharpen the swing of the victory. city will contend with Leeds United for the three points in the reverse fixture of their December 2021 game.
City won that leg in Manchester 7-0. The victory is the largest goal margin in the 2022 season and a bit of a shock for a team that held City 1-1 in one of their ties of the previous season. With all the tensions around, the result is best awaited.
Jonjo Shelvey is a name that would be on Liverpool minds as they encounter Newcastle. Liverpool took the first leg 3-1 in December. The result conceals the horror of Jonjo striking in the 7th minute. Liverpool lived with that indignation for the next 18 minutes of equalising and rolling over the game. The stakes are higher this time to take any mistakes. Dota, Salah, Mané and in formidable form to avoid an upset.
Arsenal and Tottenham continue the race for the final spot in the top four. Technically, Manchester United have diminished their chances. They are actually out considering the number of matches they have left.
United have a slim chance if both Arsenal and Tottenham mis-manage their remaining matches. Their ambitions will keep the EPL simmering in the top four race.
Relegation appears inevitable for Norwich. Who will join them?
Enjoy your weekend of more football fiesta.
Saturday 30 April
Aston Villa v Norwich
Leeds v Man City
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Watford v Burnley
Wolves v Brighton
Sunday 1 May
Tottenham v Leicester
Everton v Chelsea
West Ham v Arsenal
Monday 2 May
Man Utd v Brentford
Discussion about this post