More than halfway into the Premier League season, we are finally getting to start a faint idea of how the clubs will finish in the table come May. While there is a tough battle on hands for the Champions League spots, there seems to be only one favourite to clinch the title based on how things stand now. The relegation battle too is starting to heat up, with a lot of clubs clustered around the similar number of points, making it for an interesting run in into the business end of the season.
After 23 rounds of some scintillating and action-packed football, let’s take a look at which four clubs will finish in top four based on their progress over the course of the season thus far and their current form and momentum:
1.Chelsea
Nine points clear at the top with the best goal difference in the Premier League and the joint best defence, along with Tottenham, it is clearly Chelsea’s title to lose from here on. Their excellent defensive form combined with their attacking triumvirate of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Pedro have gone on to slay teams in the top-flight this season with comfort.
Add to that, the lack of European football at Stamford Bridge this term means, more time to rest the players and lesser chances of them tiring out, which will be very crucial as the end of the season approaches. An excellent backline, a strong and robust midfield and an attack that is firing on all cylinders, Antonio Conte has turned this team into a powerhouse this season and after a dismal campaign last year, Chelsea look well on their way to return to the summit of the Premier League.
2. Tottenham Hotspur
Currently second-placed in the league standings, Tottenham are definitely going to finish in the top four for the second season running and after having ended up third last time around, the North Londoners might do one better and finish as the runners-up, ahead of bitter rivals Arsenal. With the joint best defence in the league and arguably the most consistent striker in England currently, after Diego Costa, in Harry Kane, Spurs look destined to finish in the second place.
There is a confidence flowing in abundance at the White Hart Lane. The recent performances from the likes of Dele Alli, Son Heung Min, Danny Rose have been nothing short of brilliant and despite an injury to Jan Vertonghen, Spurs seem to have enough in their tank to stave off the Gunners and Manchester City and hold on to their current spot come May.
3. Arsenal
Midweek’s poor performance against Watford aside, Arsenal have been a delight to watch this season in the league. The title will most likely once again elude them, with Chelsea building such a big gap already, but there is no stopping the Gunners from finishing in the Champions League spots for the 20th time running.
Alexis Sanchez has been in inspirational form for Arsene Wenger’s side having already scored 15 times this term along with 8 assists, whereas the return of form for the likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott will give them further boost. The summer signing of Shkodran Mustafi has seen them improve vastly in defence whereas another summer arrival, Lucas Perez, has hogged the limelight with great displays each time he has been given an opportunity. Having finished above Spurs in the second position last campaign, there might be a role reversal on the cards this season.
4. Manchester City
This was a tough one, with Liverpool having given a good account of themselves this season, barring the abysmal last month and Manchester United too making the slow creep upwards, closing in on the gap. However, Manchester City’s immensely talented and gifted attacking force should see them through to a top-four finish.
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the best players in the league this season and has been instrumental for Pep Guardiola’s side while David Silva and Raheem Sterling too have done very well. Sergio Aguero may have hit a roadblock in terms of form, but he is a world-class striker and will bounce back. The return of Fernandinho in the midfield along with the emergence of new signing Gabriel Jesus, who has taken the Premier League by storm, City seem to have the firepower to see out the competition and finish in the final Champions League spot.