With 12 matches to go, the English Premier League title race is nearing its climax. There are three teams in the running, but who will take the crown?
Leicester City
The team that finished seven points above the relegation zone last season, and which was aiming to avoid demotion again this season, is firmly sitting at the top of the table.
The football world is still pinching themselves, because what they have been watching is quite unimaginable. The combined cost of Leicester’s starting XI is just £21 million. Their whole squad is £50 million, lesser Kevin De Bruyne’s pricetag. The roster is £200 million cheaper than Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.
What made Leicester the title favourites? How did Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez find their peak? What magic has Claudio Ranieri conjured up at this football club?
The questions are huge, but the answer is simple, Leicester are one of the three clubs in the race to lift silverware.
Leicester fans will be happy with the upcoming schedule. The Foxes have faced Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City. Over the next nine matches, they are going to face teams outside the top eight.
Their last three matches will be Manchester United (away), Everton (home) and Chelsea (away). They hammered both Everton (3-2) and Chelsea (2-1) earlier in the season and drew against Manchester United at home. Leicester have a huge chance of carrying their momentum and turning it into a historic title victory.
Tottenham
Every year Tottenham fight for one objective: a Champions League berth. They are one of the unluckiest clubs in the Premier League. Despite playing satisfactory football, the fans are anguished every year for their position below the arch-rivals Arsenal when the season ends.
This time their misery is going to end, because they are going to witness something special.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are two points behind league leaders Leicester City and they have lost only three times this season. Yet their upcoming schedule is quite demanding.
They entertain Arsenal on March 5, in what is going to be a marathon battle. After that, they go against Manchester United (home), Chelsea (away), Liverpool (home), Stoke City (away) and Southampton (away). Can Spurs overcome all the odds to win their first title in 55 years?
Arsenal
Nobody can take Arsenal out of the equation, as Arsene Wenger knows this is the best chance for Arsenal to land their first title in 12 years. Arsenal fans have been in the shadows of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea for many years, but this time around their progress is much better than their rivals.
After all the hard work and emotions shown over the years, Arsenal’s development this year has been effective after spending just £10 million for Petr Cech. There are no doubts that Arsenal have benefited from the service of the former Chelsea man.
Wenger knows the big silverware is a must. The FA and League cup are not enough. Having won the double over the league leaders, Arsenal’s grip has been increased by the arrival of Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky.
Their upcoming fixtures are really tricky, however. They face two huge encounters against Manchester United (away) and Tottenham (away). The away fixtures at Manchester City and Everton also loom large in the final stages of the season.
The stage is set perfectly for the Gunners to finally deliver for their fans.
This three clubs are in the running for the English Premier League title, but who will succeed?
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