Title Run-in Update

Without a fixture for Manchester United due to their defeat against Leeds United in the previous round of the FA Cup, I decided to look at the title race run-in for United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Rather than look at the final remaining fixtures I analysed the next 6 games for each team.

Here is the link for the full article: Title Run-in

United played

• Everton (away)
• West Ham United (home)
• Wolves (away)
• Fulham (home)
• Liverpool (home)
• Bolton (away)

I felt the Merseyside teams were United’s difficult games in the set of six fixtures. As it happens United lost to Everton but defeated Liverpool.

My prediction: 16 points out of the 18 available. With five wins United amassed a total of 15 points.

Chelsea played

• Wolves (away)
• Man City (home)
• West Ham (home)
• Blackburn (away)
• Portsmouth (away)
• Aston Villa (home)

At the time I felt Chelsea had three tough fixtures – City, Blackburn and Villa.

I expected fireworks when Chelsea faced City due to the John Terry and Wayne Bridge incident. There was a real possibility Chelsea would drop points and they did with a 4-2 victory for City. Surprisingly, I felt Blackburn would be a tough away trip as Chelsea had already lost three times in the North-West this season. The game finished 1-1 thanks to a late goal from Diouf.

The final fixture of the set of six saw Chelsea take on Aston Villa. At the time I believed this to be a tough fixture as Villa was battling for a top 4 spot. Since then however, Villa have looked a tired team so it came as no surprise Chelsea defeated Villa (perhaps not as convincingly though).

My prediction: 14 points out of the 18 available. With four wins and a draw Chelsea amassed a total of 13 points.

Arsenal played

• Sunderland (home)
• Stoke (away)
• Burnley (home)
• Hull (away)
• West Ham (home)
• Birmingham (away)

In the set of six fixtures I felt Stoke and Birmingham (both away) were difficult games. I felt both teams would prevent Arsenal playing their style of football with overly physical play. Fair play to Arsenal though, they overcame a horrific injury to Aaron Ramsey to defeat Stoke but could only draw with Birmingham due to a late goal from Kevin Phillips.

My prediction: 14 points out of the 18 available. With five wins and a draw Arsenal amassed a total of 16 points.

My league table prediction

1. United: played 32, 73 points
2. Chelsea: played 32, 72 points
3. Arsenal: played 32, 66 points

Actual league table

1. United: played 32, 72 points
2. Chelsea: played 32, 71 points
3. Arsenal: played 32, 68 points

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