EPL Title Race Heats Up

 

This weekend's Premier League matches could cause a serious change in the title race.  Out of form Arsenal fell 1-0 at Britannia Stadium on Saturday after Jonathan Walters converted a 76th minute penalty.  With both Liverpool and Chelsea winning this weekend, the race for first place is drastically heating up!

Arsenal, who has held the top of the table for the majority of the season, has slowly been fading away in recent matches.  Injuries have plagued the Gunners lately, with both Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott out indefinitely.  On the other hand, both Liverpool and Chelsea have been in outstanding form, both being undefeated in their past five matches and taking thirteen of fifteen possible points.  Manchester City is currently in fourth place two games in hand after their Manchester Derby was postponed for the League Cup Final against Sunderland.  With the top four teams within six points of each other, the title race is heating up. 

As of now City is strongly in title contention solely due to the games in hand that they hold.  While the other top tier teams are playing in the cold English March, Manchester City will get to play their matches in much warmer weather.  Man City are scheduled to play the make up matches in May, which is more favorable football weather.  Despite having played two less games, City are still in fourth place, and are only six points behind first place Chelsea.  Man City is also currently pursuing a treble, after having won the League Cup and still playing in the FA Cup.

Liverpool is currently in second place ahead on goal differential, and are currently trying to hold on to a Champions League place for next season.  Lack of depth of the Reds squad is a danger as they try to hold their place in the table.  Though Liverpool has had some problems at left back this season, they are currently playing very well and constantly moving up in the table.  Liverpool's hopes of Europe's top league grow stronger as the season winds down, with only eleven matches remaining.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side is also in strong title contention, currently in first place by four points.  Depth of the Blue's side is undoubtedly a strength.  With several January signings and a strong established lineup, has helped the Blues remain in title contention, and has now pushed them into first place.  The London side will be playing bottom half of the table teams in three of their next five league fixtures.  This is sure to boost the Blues as they strive to maintain the top spot.

The last eleven matches of the season are sure to be exciting.  With a four-way race, and not many games left, fierce competition is almost a guarantee.  At this point last season, first and second place were separated by fifteen points.  This year's title race is sure to be much more exciting than last year's domination by Manchester United who ultimately won the league by eleven points.