Is the title race back on?
The title race looked done and dusted at the turn of the year with Man City being miles ahead of everyone and unlikely to drop off. But Liverpool's win over Norwich on Saturday followed by City's defeat to Spurs saw the gap reduced to six points as a result of Liverpool's recent form. With the reds having a game in hand against Leeds in midweek; Is the the title race back on?
A win for Liverpool against Leeds on Wednesday will see the gap reduced to 3 points which would definitely bring the title race back into life. Liverpool may not be playing next weekend as they're in the Carabao Cup final but they'll still be looking to keep up the pressure on City whenever they play. They'll have another game in hand as a result of them being in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday which will present them another opportunity to keep up the pressure and close the gap if they carry on in the form they're in. They could even go above City if they lose one or two games before the pair face each other in April.
Could the relegation battle go down to the last day with all the teams still in it?
For the first time in my life, I am struggling to pick three teams to go down at the end of the season. Newcastle I think will have enough to stay up as a result of the players they brought in during January and I also think Watford will get better under Roy Hodgson after getting their first goal and points under their new manager. The teams above them should have enough to stay out of it in Everton, Leeds and Brentford but with Burnley winning at Brighton and Saturday and Norwich having more belief than before; Could the relegation battle go down to the last day with teams still in it?
Burnley's win over Brighton along with their performance will give them some much needed confidence as winning games can do exactly that. Especially when you're down there fighting to stay in the league. Norwich may have lost their two recent games against Man City and Liverpool, but they'll still have the belief that they can get out of it as a result of their little resurgence prior to those defeats. Those two may be the most likely of the teams involved to go down, but their recent results could give them the confidence they need to stay in contention till the end of the season.
Leicester need their best players back
Leicester are still without a win since the turn of the year and are having a poor season overall by their own standards. The pressure is understandably on manager Brendan Rodgers because of the season they're having so far but reason for their poor season has to be down to injuries to key players who they need back now more than ever.
They've obviously missed Jonny Evans as they haven't looked as solid defensively as they have been for the last couple of seasons. Wesley Fofana has also been miss but Evans has been the bigger loss as he's the one who organises the defence and makes it more solid.
They're also missing Jamie Vardy and particularly in recent games where they've looked more like their old selves. They've been pressing teams like they used to and have caused them problems going forward. But haven't taken the chances they've had in front of them. Vardy would've taken the chances they missed if he was on the pitch because of the ruthless player he is and the Foxes have missed that kind of player in their attack in recent weeks.
If Leicester are to salvage their season they need their best players back and quickly. Especially Jonny Evans and Jamie Vardy who have both been big losses at both ends of the pitch.
Comments