Premier League favourites and predictions
The destination of this season’s English Premier League title looks set for either Manchester or North London. The top two sides: Arsenal and Manchester City have been joined by Manchester United as clear front runners in the 2022/23 title race. Arsenal have 54 points, City 52, and United 49, 7 points clear of 4th place Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal also have a game in hand over their Manchester rivals; which could be crucial in the final reckoning in what is proving to be a tight championship. So as we enter the final third of the season it’s looking like a three horse race for the Premier League Title.
Arsenal (54 points, 1st)
Image Credit – Instagram
Arsenal, who enjoyed a comfortable lead in the title race just a few weeks ago, came in to their match against Aston Villa last weekend in something of a mini crisis: with just one win in their last 4 matches, including a 3-1 defeat at home to big rivals City in mid-week. A match which saw them lose top spot for the first since the third week of the season. So it was crucial for Arsenal to shrug off a dip in form and regain much needed confidence and momentum. Which is exactly what they did with a 4-2 victory. This was a huge win for Arsenal in the context of their own form and the title race in general. Twice they came from behind, and rode their luck at times, against a resurgent Aston Villa side. This match showed that this young Arsenal side have steel to go with the silk, and that sometimes you have to win ugly to win titles. They reclaimed top spot from Manchester City by 2 points and have a game in hand. Next match Leicester City away.
While the top two teams with move between first and second place on the list, Man City are still slight favourites. Arsenal are currently 11/10 to win the Premier League
Manchester City (52 points, 2nd)
Last season’s champions have been, by their high standards, somewhat of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season – they already have more losses than all of last season, and have conceded as many goals, and there are still 14 matches to go. Last weekend’s fixture at Nottingham Forest was a perfect illustration: City had 73% possession, 23 shots, 6 on target, but only 1 goal to show for their dominance. This proved their undoing as Forest snatched a late equaliser to secure an unlikely draw. Sometimes things don’t go your way. But don’t expect too many more results like this till the end of the season – City are too good, too experienced – they will push Arsenal all the way. Although Arsenal have a game in hand, City’s superior goal difference could be the difference. Plus, unlike the young and inexperienced Arsenal side, City have been there and done it – they’ve won 4 titles in the last 5 seasons – they know what it takes. This could be a key differentiator in the pressure moments to come.
The teams play each other on the 26thApril in what could be a winner takes all fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Man City 11/10
Manchester United (49 points, 3rd)
That United are only five points behind league leaders Arsenal speaks volumes on how they’ve turned their season around after a somewhat shaky start. Last season they finished a distant 6th in the League; this time out a minimum 4th spot is almost assured, although they’ll have their sights on much greater glory – their last title came in 2013. This would be a remarkable achievement given the turbulent recent history at the club, and testament to the solid job manager Erik ten Hag has done since coming to Old Trafford. His firm handling of the Cristiano Ronaldo situation, which was an unwanted distraction and seemed to effect United’s performances, was something which Alex Fergusson himself would have appreciated – it sent a message to the dressing room that no one player was bigger than the club. It’s no coincidence that the team’s form, and results, improved after the Portugueses’ departure. With Champions League football almost certain to be back at Old Trafford next season this could be the beginning of a prosperous new period for the Red Devils.
Man United have widened out to 14/1
Tottenham Hotspur 4th 42pts
Although only 7 pts behind Manchester United with 14 games to go 4th place is the best that Spurs can hope for such is the up and down form they’ve shown throughout the season thus far. Even so, 4th spot and another Champions League qualification would represent a relatively successful season in the circumstances. Although this would be tempered somewhat with seeing their North London rivals lift the title.
A further worry for Spurs fans is whether their record goal scorer, captain, and talisman, Harry Kane, will wish to move to pastures new in the summer in search of silverware. This may be his last chance. Likewise, will manager Antonio Conte be searching for the exit of he isn’t given the funds needed to strengthen the squad, which is clearly needed if they wish to compete for the big prizes. One feels a 4th place finish and Champions League qualification is crucial for Spurs’ to remain amongst the elite.
Next match Chelsea at home, Tottenham are 500/1!
Newcastle United 5th 41pts
Newcastle are arguably the team of the season. Few gave new manager Eddie Howe a chance when he took over a team in dire straits toward the end of last season.
The turnaround from the brink of relegation to potential Champions League qualification in less than a season is nothing short of remarkable. Even more impressive is the fact that they achieved this with more or less the same squad of players. A top six finish would be more than Newcastle fans would have dreamed of; this would guarantee European football next year and, with the riches available from their new Middle East backers, the future looks bright for the Magpies.
Next match Manchester City away.
Newcastle to win 250/1
Liverpool 8th 35pts
What to say about Liverpool’s season so far? A disaster might be too strong a word but this week’s humiliating 5-2 home defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League was a perfect illustration of the current malaise inflicting Jurgen Klopp’s slide. 2-0 up inside 15 minutes playing with vigour and fluidity, it looked all set for one the great European nights at Anfield, but a goalkeeping blunder and hapless defending turned potential victory in to ignominious defeat.
It’s been the story of their season and why they find themselves down in lowly 8th place and any hope of title ambitions a delusion; on current form even Champions League qualification might be a tall order. It’s baffling how a team of such quality have fallen so far from their own high standards; bigtime players like Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold haven’t shown the form of previous seasons, and the loss of midfield dynamo Sadio Mane was a blow. Certainly hard questions need to be asked of the players and management. Expect manager Klopp to find them, but not this season.
Next match Crystal Palace away, Liverpool are now 500/1 to win the league.
The rest
Teams chasing 4th place and Champions League Qualification
Fulham 6th 38pts
Brighton 7th 35pts
Brentford 9th 35pts
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