While we’re two-thirds through the season, there’s still a long way to go in terms of just how the top of the English Premier League will end up on that final day.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool round out the premiership hopefuls, yet none are necessarily guaranteed a Champions League qualification place.
Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Manchester United all hope to capitalise on any slip ups in form by the title challengers, and earn that all-important spot in the top four.
Southampton and Newcastle are safely secure in the top half, and look to further improve their league form to possibly make a late run up the table.
Chelsea, 57pts
Jose Mourinho’s London side have surged into first place on the back of the outstanding form of young Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard, who has proved himself to be a world class attacking midfielder.
They face Galatasaray in their round of 16 tie in the Champions League, and will be expecting to progress to the quarter finals.
Their campaign in the league could well depend on how far they go to reclaiming Europe’s most coveted trophy, and how well they can balance this with league form.
Arguably the most consistent team in the league at this point in the season, the Blues could be on track for their fourth league title if they maintain their form.
Predicted finish: second
Arsenal, 56pts
Fellow London side Arsenal seem to have run out of steam in recent weeks, failing to replicate their early season form.
Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil’s performances catapulted them to the top of the league early on and hopes of a first title since the undefeated ‘Invincibles’ in 2003-2004 grew in north London.
Since the turn of the year though they’ve suffered a drop in form, including a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
While redeeming themselves with an FA Cup win over the Merseyside club, they now find themselves with a Champions League tie against holders Bayern Munich and an FA Cup quarter-final against Everton.
Form is the key for the Gunners in the latter third of the season, and they need to find it to have any hope in the three competitions they remain in.
Predicted finish: fourth
Manchester City, 54pts
The blue team from Manchester has been scoring for fun at home this season, Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo forming a deadly partnership upfront.
The only thing that troubles the new big boys on the block is their inconsistent away form that sees them often being held for draws by lower opposition.
They face heavyweights Barcelona in their Champions League tie.
However in the FA cup they have an almost guaranteed ticket to Wembley with a quarter final against the team that upset them in the final last year, Championship side Wigan Athletic, a run which shouldn’t see their league form affected too much.
With a game in hand on Arsenal and Chelsea against relegation-threatened Sunderland, I’m tipping them to take out their second Premier League title.
Predicted finish: first
Liverpool, 53pts
Liverpool in recent weeks have turned themselves from Champions League qualification contenders to title challengers, following demolitions of rivals Everton and Arsenal at home.
For the Reds it’s a simple equation, keep out-scoring teams and they’ll ascend up the league.
The combination of strike pairing Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez is one of the best in the world, and with youngsters Raheem Sterling and Phillippe Coutinho feeding them with greater quality each week, it would take a couple of season-ending injuries to see them drop down the league.
Predicted finish: third
Tottenham Hotspur, 50pts
Tottenham were disappointing in the first half of the season, yet managed to keep the pace with the league’s leaders.
Many were waiting for their new signings to ‘gel’ before Spurs hit form, but instead it has come from second choice striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who has been in stellar form since the sacking of manager Andres Villas Boas returned him to the starting side.
With their results seemingly dependent on the strikers form, it begs the question of can the Spurs rely on an infamously inconsistent striker to deliver them Champions League football next season?
Predicted finish: sixth
Everton, 45pts
Like Arsenal, Everton have failed to maintain early season form due to a shocking list of injuries. The Toffees haven’t had any trouble with creating chances with their new style of play, but had plenty with finishing them off.
With a game in hand, Everton will hope the return of Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley and Barcelona wonder kid Gerard Deulofeu will assist in regaining that early season momentum.
The key is in the form of their strikers, with Steven Naismith proving an unlikely candidate to fire them back up the table.
Predicted finish: fifth
Manchester United, 42pts
David Moyes side has struggled this year to mount any sort of challenge to the league’s topsides.
The acquisition of playmaker Juan Mata gave hope to those at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are still rooted 11 points outside of Champions League qualification.
United fans are understandably frustrated with the same squad that won the league last season opting to play aerial balls into Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Predicted finish: seventh
Southampton, 39pts and Newcastle, 37pts
Both teams have done well to separate themselves from the relegation threatened teams in the bottom half.
There’s still room for some progression from both sides, particularly for an impressive Southampton outfit that is only three points behind Manchester United.
Newcastle on the other hand, seem unlikely to do much.
Predicted finishes: Southampton eighth, Newcastle ninth
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