Following a recent run of good form, there have been many suggestions that Manchester United could make a late surge towards the title. Mathematically speaking; yes Manchester United can win the league however realistically I can’t see United making a dash towards the top of the league, but saying that stranger things have happened in football. The top 3 still have testing run-ins towards the finish line;
Chelsea’s run-in: Manchester United (H), Arsenal (A), Leicester City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (H), West Brom (A), Sunderland (H)
Arsenal’s run-in: Reading (FA Cup), Chelsea (A), Hull City (A), Swansea City (H), Manchester United (A), Sunderland (H), West Brom (H)
Manchester United run-in: Chelsea (A), Everton (A), West Brom (H), Crystal Palace (A), Arsenal (H), Hull City (A)
As you can see by the run-ins, all the teams have to play each other – which could lead to an intriguing dash to the finish. I am a firm believer at this point in the season you want to be playing against the teams who are safe. The teams towards the foot of the table will be fighting for their lives, as we have seen in Leicester and QPR’s recent form.
In that sense Arsenal would appear to have the more favourable run in, however they do have to play extra games due to their participation in the later stages of the FA Cup. With their eyes set on winning some silverware in a well respected competition, the league may no longer be their priority despite the regular heartbreak.
Chelsea have to go on their travels to two relegation battlers in West Brom and Leicester City, which will be extremely difficult games, on top of having to play both Manchester United and Arsenal. They have also have to face top four chasers Liverpool, which could lead to points being dropped.
Manchester United have recently been thrilling to watch and the recent form shown by Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata has been on another planet compared to the poor performances they put in last week. Unbeaten in five considerably tough matches, Manchester United look like they could possibly make that surge. Nevertheless, I believe it will be in vane come the end of the season, as the Red Devils are relying on too many teams to do them favours in order to finish first.
Given the run-ins, we could have an intriguing finish to the league on our hands. Chelsea have been dominant all season, but they seem to be scraping victories, whereas Arsenal and Manchester United have hit impressive form, just enough to ask questions of the ‘champions elect’. However, this is the Premier League and like a wise Scotsman once said, “As long as there are games to play it’s not over.”
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