The Amazing Race (not so much)

Let’s not kid ourselves-Man Utd need to lose this league before anyone else (Chelsea) can win it. Here was I all set to pretty much wrap up the season and look forward to what might happen in the summer when Arsenal implode in consecutive games and Man Utd stutter away to a toothless Newcastle United. In the meantime, Chelsea took care of business (impressively) against Birmingham and we have a 6 point gap with 5 games to go.
Still, let’s have a look at the fixtures:

Man Utd: 70 pts; +38 gd Chelsea: 64 pts; +34 gd Arsenal: 64 pts; +32 gd
23 April Everton (h) 23 April West Ham (h) 23 April Bolton (a)
1 May Arsenal (a) 30 April Spurs (h) 1 May Man Utd (h)
8 May Chelsea (h) 8 May Man Utd (a) 8 May Stoke (a)
14 May Blackburn (a) 15 May Newcastle (h) 15 May Aston Villa (h)
22 May Blackpool (h) 22 May Everton (a) 22 May Fulham (a)

Let’s start with Arsenal, as despite Monsieur Wenger’s belief that they are still in the race, I am sceptical, especially after recent results-fair enough they are unbeaten in the league since mid-December, when they lost 1-0 at Old Trafford, but there have been too many damaging draws-4-4 v Newcastle after leading 4-0; 3-3 with Spurs after leading 3-1; 0-0 at home v Blackburn and at home v Sunderland. There’s no real shame in drawing 1-1 at home to Liverpool, but it was the manner of the result that raises questions-going ahead deep into injury time, a contender needs to see out the 2 minutes left to seal the win-the defending that led to Liverpool’s penalty equaliser was criminal.

Out of the 5 fixtures remaining, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal fail to win any, although I suspect that Stoke may have other things on their mind a week ahead of the FA Cup Final, and surely Arsenal will be more motivated to take the points at home to Villa and away to Fulham. However, that motivation will depend largely on the next 2 results. They visit a Bolton team smarting from their FA Cup thrashing at the hands of Stoke last weekend. Bolton appear to have little or nothing to play for at this point, with the Europa League surely out of reach, however, you would expect that they will want to rebound after that defeat to Stoke, and, will have in-form striker Danny Sturridge back in the fold today. Let’s say that out their 4 games not involving Man Utd, Arsenal will garner 10 points, and improve their goal difference by 5 goals-which assuming Man Utd breakeven in goal difference at worst would not be enough to break a tie.

Chelsea moved ahead of Arsenal on goal difference after beating Birmingham 3-1, but still trail Man Utd by 4 goals. Chelsea should take full points at home to West Ham and Newcastle, perhaps able to pad their goal difference in the process. Spurs at home and Everton away are harder to call. Chelsea should have beaten Spurs earlier in the season, even in the midst of their horrific form through November and December, and Spurs are undoubtedly running out of steam, so I’ll assume 3 points (just) from that game as well. Away to Everton on the last day is a tough fixture-Chelsea have beaten Everton in 3 games this season, and Everton could be playing for points to move ahead of Liverpool, but not qualify for the Europa League, so it’s hard to say how motivation that will offer today’s professionals. Let’s say that excluding the Man Utd fixture, Chelsea can also win 10 points, but should improve their goal difference by 7.

Finally to Man Utd-the team very much in the driving seat. So much hinges on today’s game against Everton. Even if Chelsea and Arsenal can beat Man Utd and win their other remaining games (which I have not assumed above), they would need to make up a significant enough goal differential in the process. Given that Man Utd face Blackpool at home, you wouldn’t bet against a 3 or 4 goal haul in that game, which could be the deciding factor in the event of a tie on points. Away to Blackburn shouldn’t really present many difficulties for Man Utd, but, their away form is poor and Blackburn could be desperate for points. Based on their home form, I see Man Utd taking 6 points from Everton and Blackpool, and at best I expect a draw at Ewood Park, so 7 points from 3 games, which would leave Chelsea and Arsenal with 15 points to make up.

Assuming Chelsea and Arsenal both take 10 points from a possible 12 and then beat Man Utd at Old Trafford and the Emirates respectively, they would both finish on 77 points, with Chelsea ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. Man Utd would also finish on 77, perhaps only a goal ahead of Chelsea, assuming they can beat Everton by 2 goals and Blackpool by 3, and only suffering single goal defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal. Wow-looks interesting, doesn’t it?

But, here’s what I think happens in reality. Man Utd beat Everton handily today, Arsenal lose to Bolton and then Man Utd get a result at the Emirates and at least a point from their home game with Chelsea. Assuming they still beat Blackpool and get a point at Ewood Park, they would finish on 79 points, with Chelsea on 75 points, and Arsenal finishing perhaps on 74. Man Utd to regain the title, with one of the lowest points tallies in Premier League history (Man Utd won the league with 75 points in 1996-97).

Only one thing is certain-most of my predictions above will be wrong, but Man Utd will still win the title.