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By Andy Jones.
In recent years, the Premier League has often been a race of two, or even one, with players like Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea taking the lead, leaving the rest to fight for the Champions League qualification.
The unusual environment we find ourselves in in 2020 has broken that book of forms, and this season’s title race is as open as it has been since Leicester City claimed it in 2016.
As Christmas approaches, and with a flurry of matches on the horizon for all teams, as many as seven clubs are within earshot of league leaders Liverpool.
Nine points, a three-win swing, separate the top eight, and with both Manchester clubs having a game in hand, it’s anyone’s title this year.
Great starts from Southampton, Everton and Leicester, along with traditional giants such as Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, have opened the league in what appears to be one of the most exciting Premier League races in years.
The intense match schedule, common in England at this time of year, tends to separate true contenders from potential contenders from true contenders when it comes to league standing, and this year is no different.
With just two matchdays left between now and the end of the year, there will be plenty of movement on the table and some exciting matchups involving clubs at the top of the league.
Surprise packages
The appearance of Southampton has surprised many. Danny Ings, Che Adams and James-Ward-Prowse have impressed so far this season and are playing with a freedom and joy reminiscent of Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester. Could we see a rerun of that incredible feat?
Former Premier League winner Carlo Ancelotti appears to be turning Everton into real contenders. Everton have managed to beat results against Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal in recent weeks, catapulting them back into contention after an excellent start to the season.
Players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Rodriguez and Allan have earned applause from fans and experts alike, with the former challenging Harry Kane for England’s number 9 jersey.
Brendan Rogers has taken Leicester to the next level after some flat performances from his predecessor Claude Puel. The Foxes now look like a team that will constantly compete for the Champions League spots.
Jaime Vardy shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 33, and the addition of Wesley Fofana has finally filled the void left by Harry Maguire at the heart of the defense. His win against Tottenham only reinforces his credentials.
Recent Leicester title success, coupled with Rogers’ vast experience, including a title challenge with Liverpool and multiplying trophies with Celtic, make it hard to argue that they don’t have what it takes to challenge at the top. from the table.
Challengers
Mourinho believed that ‘the best team lost’ when his Tottenham side was beaten by Liverpool, and the man is a serial winner both here and abroad. This Tottenham team is thriving under your leadership, just look at how Kane and Son Heing-min are tearing the league apart with their goals and assists.
So far this season Kane has scored nine with 10 impressive assists already, while Son has managed 11 goals and four assists, that’s the way to win the championship for sure.
Not to be outdone by his former manager, Chelsea manager and club legend Frank Lampard has overseen a changing of the guard at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz all arriving in windows. recent transfers.
The English manager is making this young Chelsea a force again after several disappointing seasons by the club’s high standards, and Lampard will not want to give up the title just yet.
The London club are nine points behind current leaders Liverpool with a game in hand (Monday night against West Ham) and with two-thirds of the season to play, they will be looking to close the gap.
Then we have the two Manchester clubs, both with a game in hand and both with the opportunity to put pressure on the sides above them.
Guardiola may be disappointed with the inconsistent form of his city team so far this season, with the recent West Brom draw highlighting how the former champions have suffered in 2020.
It’s hard to ignore a team that contains the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, and as most believe that the real City has yet to get going this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Manchester’s blue half undefeated starting. From now. until May and claim another league title.
Manchester’s red half, on the other hand, is in what seems like a perpetual transition. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been under intense scrutiny since he replaced José Mourinho, and that scrutiny has continued this season.
If they win their game in hand, Man United will find themselves just two points behind leaders Liverpool, and an impressive 6-2 win at Leeds United revived their numbers in the goal difference column.
Bruno Fernandes can still beat the player of the season, regardless of who wins the league. The Portuguese star has scored nine and assisted five goals in 13 league appearances so far, and is at the heart of all good things at Old Trafford.
The once great Red Devils withdrew from the Champions League in a kind of European collapse, but after all, they almost qualified from a group that featured two of last year’s semi-finalists, which is not the worst of tragedies. .
It may seem so unlikely that Arsenal will fall in the Championship, but Solskjaer is used to pulling rabbits out of hats … Anyone at Camp Nou 1999?
The same again?
If many years of Premier League football have taught us anything, the cream almost always comes to the top. Klopp’s Liverpool have had some positive results despite some poor performances, notably their 7-2 win at Aston Villa, and the most recent lackluster performance at Craven Cottage, as Scott Parker’s Fulham gave the champions a run for their money in a 1-1 draw.
Despite a couple of wobbles, the Merseysiders appear to be in a solid position to regain their title. After beating Spurs on Wednesday night and securing an unprecedented 7-0 win at Crystal Palace over the weekend, Mohamed Salah and company have come forward.
So while we still don’t know who will win this year’s Premier League, we do know that the next few weeks could be key in deciding who has the stamina to go all the way.
In early January, we may see some sides start to clear and the race may lose a few horses along the way, as the so-called most competitive league on the planet may live up to that statement.
