Even though Manchester United and Chelsea had been considered favourites in the title race this season, Liverpool managed to gain an early advantage over the rivals thanks to the impressive start to the league campaign. The Reds were looking really good and their fans started hoping that this could be the season when their team will finally lift the Premiership title. However, the big dip in form saw Liverpool slip from the top of the table, while they also allowed United to create a substantial advantage in the title race. But, just when everyone were writing them off, Rafa Benitez’s team hammered United at Old Trafford and they are now back in contention for the trophy. I will try to give you my view on who is going to win the Premiership after all.
Let me start with Chelsea, the team that have shown a lot of improvement under the new boss Guss Hiddink. The Blues managed to stabilize their form and they are looking much more confident at the moment. Michael Essien has finally recovered from injury, whereas Drogba and Anelka have created an excellent partnership in attack and the goals keep coming. However, just as they were getting close to the leaders, Chelsea suffered a big setback, having lost to Tottenham and that defeat will probably cost them the title. The Blues don’t have such a difficult fixture list as playing Arsenal at the Emirates will be their toughest match but still, I don’t think that they will be able to catch United and Liverpool.
Liverpool have improved a great deal in the last couple of weeks and the comprehensive wins against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa are the testament of their new-found confidence. 13 goals in the three games against such good sides was definitely a big boost of confidence and the Reds are looking excellent at the moment. They are now just one point adrift of the leaders, although United have a game in hand and nobody can afford to write them off as they are in excellent form. Gerrard and Torres are outstanding at the moment and if the pair can continue playing at such a high level anything can happen. Still, Liverpool don’t have such a big squad and playing in the Champions League will have a negative effect on the league campaign. That is why they are unlikely to pip United to the title and I can see them finishing in second place.
Regardless of two successive league defeats, Manchester United are still the main candidates for the Premier League title. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team allowed Liverpool to close the gap to just one point, but the odds are that United will win the rearranged game with Portsmouth and go four points clear at the top. The team are definitely shaken by the latest defeats but they have too much experience to let that affect their title defence. The Red Devils have a very easy fixture list and Alex Ferguson has plenty of options at his disposal. This should ensure him a calm finish to the season as his team should suffer no ill effects of playing in the Champions League. Thus, even though United will not have an easy job in the remaining games, I cannot see how they will miss out on the Premiership title.
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what? are you carzy? United have got to play Arsenal, spurs, boro, hull yet they unlike liverpool are short on confidence!