Time top catch up a bit. The Premier League is rolling along and this weekend is finishing up Week 25. 13 Weeks to go and things are definitely taking shape. Battles are forming for the League Winner, as well, battles will be fought for a Top 4 Finish and finally, the Relegation Zone is heating up as teams position themselves to remain in the Premier League next year.
A few big developments over the past few weeks, first, the big news, Liverpool is human, after losing to Manchester City they have NOT looked like a runaway League Champion. They look vulnerable. The past three weeks have produced a dramatic 4-3 win over Crystal Palace and then two draws against Leicester City and West Ham. Pretty underwhelming results. Manchester City has taken advantage of the dip in form for Liverpool. Over the past three weeks they have wins over Huddersfield and Arsenal but aso a confusing loss to Newcastle. They have picked up a point on Liverpool and after an early match this week have actually caught Liverpool with 62 points. Liverpool will play this weekend with the chance to regain the top spot, but the certainly of a Title no longer exists for Liverpool.
Chelsea have hit a drop in form and are holding desparately to the 4th spot. A bad loss followed by a big win, so the question is which team will show up. The game of the week was Manchester City vs. Arsenal and it featured a hat trick from the leagues best striker, Sergio Aguerro. The second goal is a thing beauty. The third goal…..well…not so much….I think a Hand Ball that was not called.
I keep finding highlights with the cool Spanish announcers. Exciting! Just sounds better in Spanish. In other developments, Gonzalo Higuain has delivered for Chelsea, scoring two goals in his home debut. Can the new striker keep Chelsea in the Top 4? Manchester United are still rolling, having not lost since they named their new manager and fired Mourinjo. Only 1 draw to blemish their run. Now sitting in 5th and looking like a serious threat to finish Top 4. It should be a pretty tight race beteeen Chelsea, Manchester and Arsenal.
Week 25 Recap
Winners over the past week:
Tottenham 1-0 over Newcastle. Kane. Ack soon, so watch out.
Wolves 3-1 over Everton.
Chelsea with the 5-0 thumping of Huddersfield.
Crystal Palace 2-0 over Fulham.
Cardiff City 2-0 win over Southampton.
Manchester United with a tight 1-0 win over Leicester City.
Race for the Title & Champions League Top 4
Win-Loss-Tie
1- Manchester City 20-4-2. 62 Points. Have played an extra game!
2- Liverpool 19-1-5 62 Points.
3- Tottenham 19-6-0 57 Points.
4-Chelsea 15-5-5 50 Points
5-Manchester United 14-5-6 48 Points.
6-Arsenal 14-6-5 46 Points.
Wolves, Watford, Everton and Bournemouth round out the Top 10.
Relegation Zone
There are now 6 teams within 3 points of the 18th position and fighting to stay up. Newcastel (24), Southampton (24), and Burnley (24) are sitting just outside the relegation zone. The new bottom three:
18. Cardiff City 6-15-4. 22 Points
19. Fulham 4-16-5. 17 Points.
20. Huddersfield 2-18-5 11 Points. Unless something changes quickly, Huddersfield is toast!,
Match Week 26/27 Preview
Game of the Week. #4 Chelsea vs. #1 Manchester City. A really big game for both clubs. Manchester City chasing Liverpool and Chelsea hanging on to 4th. Somethings gotta give, probably Chelsea.
Week 27 features Liverpool v. Manchester United. Is Man U going to make some noise and be a player for Top 4 while hurting Liverpool’s chances to take down a Title.
Get ready for an exciting finish to the season. 13 games to go.