To many, at least a couple of weeks ago, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were clearly on their way to defending the premier league title but not anymore. Klopp’s Liverpool who’ve won their games in hand including a 6-0 thumping win over Leeds United, with City dropping points to struggling Tottenham Hotspurs and an in form Southampton in recent weeks only means the gap at the top has been reduced to just three points from the previous twelve.
The icing on the cake will be a mouth watering clash on the 10th of April as both sides take on each other at Anfiled in what could be the title decider if both teams continue with their fine run of form until then.
Both sides still are battling it out in the FA Cup and the Champions League, but certainly they boast of a sizeable squad full of quality players. However, Liverpool who’ve been rejuvenated by the return of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane from AFCON could have more firepower at their disposal with the $37M acquisition of Colombian attacker Luis Diaz from FC Porto.
As eyes focus on who will be crowned champion come May, another fierce contest is surely on the cards in the race for champions league football come next season. Manchester United and Arsenal are among the favorites for the fourth spot with Westham, Wolves and Spurs also angling for the the same position. The Red Devils currently sit fourth with 46 points with both Arsenal and Wolves closely behind them with three and two games in hand respectively. However, they play against each other on Thursday night at the Emirates.
Manchester United and Westham could possibly face hard times with both teams still battling for glory in Europe’s biggest competitions. Conte’s Spurs have recently looked out of touch in the race for top four with a loss to minnows Burnley despite causing an upset over Manchester City at the Etihad a week ago.
This could be the most entertaining race for top four yet with all the four teams battling for the fourth spot are yet to play against each other in the second leg of the premier league. Wolves, however, are the most in form team with only one loss this year and United unbeaten in seven games, but face a tough run of fixtures in coming weeks including Spurs, City and Liverpool. The gunners who have been solid defensively in recent weeks could occupy the fourth spot if they manage to secure at least five points from their games in hand against Chelsea, Wolves and Tottenham.
At the end of it all, Manchester United can avoid the fight for top four only if they manage to do the almost impossible and win the UEFA Champions League, which Cleary is a long shot with their woes this season.
However, as managers love to say, it’s a game after the other but only the team that can be solid defensively and prolific in front of goal will be in the company of Europe’s elite in the UEFA Champions League next season.
SPORTS DIGEST 