Mid-Season Premier League Review
Arsenal - 4th
(49 points)
Arsenal's comeback at the weekend could prove
to be a turning point in their season. Led by an inspired second-half
performance by Theo Walcott and stellar goal by RVP, the Gunners overcame a
two-goal deficit and earned a vital 5-2 over Tottenham.
One could justify Walcott's performance as the
primary storyline, however, Van Persie's goal-of-the-year caliber finish rightfully captured the headlines. In typical RVP fashion, the Dutchman turned on two
defenders and fired a wonder-strike past Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who
helplessly watched the ball fly into his net. If Arsene Wenger can rally the troops behind the win, Arsenal are a safe bet to finish inside the top four.
Tottenham - 3rd (53 points)
While Arsenal's five unanswered goals was an
impressive feat, the defeat will be a tough one to swallow for Spurs. At
the forefront of the conversation is manger Harry Redknapp, who must now prepare hi side for a clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Tottenham currently have 53 points and hold a six-point lead ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal in the table. However, in order to keep pace with Manchester United (61 points) the only result Spurs can have this weekend is a win. Regardless, the form of both Manchester clubs foreshadows one hoisting the title come May 13th. As for Tottenham, chances are high they'll finish in third or fourth.
Chelsea - 5th (46 points)
It's no secret that Chelsea is underperforming,
considering the club has won just three of their last 10 Premier League
matches. If their league form wasn't bad enough, the scrutiny of
first-year boss Andres Villas Boas picked up more steam after last week's
abysmal 3-1 defeat by Napoli in the Champions League. Although Chelsea has been
a fixture in the top four during the modern era, they look destined to be on the outside looking in when the season ends.
Newcastle United - 6th (44
points)
The Magpies have been nothing short of
brilliant this term. Manger Alan Pardew has his club in stellar form, thanks largely in
part to the emergence of striker Demba Ba.
The Senegalese international was tipped for an exit during the January
window after a marvelous first-half of the season that saw him score 13 goals in 20 league
matches. However, to Pardew's delight, the club was able to retain his services.
In addition to Ba staying put during the
window, the club appears to have struck gold with the addition of his
international strike partner: Papiss Demba Cissé. Cissé, who netted a spectacular match-winner against Aston Villa on his debut, has scored twice since his arrival from
German outfit SC Freiburg in January. In short, if Ba and Cissé can stay healthy, Newcastle should finish no worse than fifth.
Liverpool – 7th
(39 points)
Liverpool are currently nine
points adrift of the top four but are trending in the right direction thanks to
the recent form of Craig Bellamy, and the return of Steven Gerrard. Despite a team sheet filled with talent, the inconsistency through the first 27 matches is likely to continue over the course of the term. Unless Andy Carroll and Luiz Suarez can produce stellar runs to close out the season, a top-five finish seems unrealistic.
Norwich City – 11th (35 points)
Norwich City has, for many reasons, been the
upstart club of the season. Led by the
frontline partnership of Grant Holt and Steve Morrison, the Canneries have held
their own despite the odds. Central to
their success has been the play of fullback Kyle Naughton, on loan from
Tottenham, and creative influence of attacking midfielder Wesley Hoolahan. Although Norwich suffered a tough lose to
Manchester United this passed weekend, their run of four wins in their last
seven matches has pulled them within four points of Liverpool.
Mid-Table Tussle
Although Norwich has been in great form, just
seven points separate 14th placed Swansea City and seventh placed
Liverpool. Among the club positioned in
the cluster, the two clubs that seems best equipped to push through the fray
are Fulham and Everton.
Fulham has been lead by U.S. international Clint
Dempsey, who has scored nine goals and tallied three assists in 26 appearances. With Dempsey in line for a career season, all
signs point the Cottagers making a return to the Europa next season. To ensure that this comes true, club made
three key signings during the January window.
The addition of defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has given Danny
Murphy an ideal partner in the center of the park, while there has been quite a
buzz over the arrival of striker Pavel Pogrebnyak from VfB Stuttgart.
It appears they are gearing for a forward push towards the top of the
table.
Meanwhile, Everton are a side seasoned in
weathering the storm of mid-table scrambles.
While the club has parted ways with LA Galaxy loanee Landon Donavon, the
Toffees have brought in striker Nikica Jelavic and added Steven Pienaar on loan
to help fill the void. The moves have fortified
David Moyes frontline in an attempt to shift the weight off their always-strong
defense. Anchored by center-backs Johnny
Heitinga and Sylvain Distan, Everton’s back lines is home one of the Premier
League’s best attacking left-back in Leighton Baines. The combination of a sound defense and
weapons through the squad, including Tim Cahill and youngster Ross Barkley, has
them positioned for a favorable second-half run.
The Relegation Battle
The bottom of the table is equally as tight as
the mid-table race above. Wigan and
Bolton are currently at the bottom, even on 20 points, but sit just two points
off a pack of three—Wolves, Blackburn and QPR.
Despite Wigan’s current position, the Latics and QPR are the pair of the
group that are well enough equipped to stave off relegation.
QPR are the clear-cut favorites survive because
they went out and added two strikers before the transfer window closed. The arrival of Bobby Zamora from Fulham and France
international Djirbril Cisse were great pieces of business, and should be
enough to see what the relegation scrap from afar.
On the other hand, Wigan will have a much
harder time given their lack of offensive firepower. The saving grace and primary reason they
should be able to stay afloat is goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. The Oman international spent last season on
loan at the DW Stadium and was named Wigan’s Player of the Season, which
prompted the his permanent signing during the summer. While a reliable goalkeeper gives them a leg
up on the competition, manger Roberto Martinez will need to light a fire under
his frontline of Franco Di Santo and Victor Moses. All things considered, chances are high the
last two matches of the season will decide their future—a visit from Blackburn
then followed by a trip to Wolves.
Table Predications
1. Manchester United
7. Liverpool
8. Everton
9. Fulham
10. Norwich City
11. Swansea City
12. West Brom
13. Stoke City
14. Sunderland
15. Aston Villa
16. QPR
17. Wigan
18. Wolverhampton
Mid-Season Premier League Review
Arsenal - 4th
(49 points)
Arsenal's comeback at the weekend could prove
to be a turning point in their season. Led by an inspired second-half
performance by Theo Walcott and stellar goal by RVP, the Gunners overcame a
two-goal deficit and earned a vital 5-2 over Tottenham.
One could justify Walcott's performance as the
primary storyline, however, Van Persie's goal-of-the-year caliber finish rightfully captured the headlines. In typical RVP fashion, the Dutchman turned on two
defenders and fired a wonder-strike past Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who
helplessly watched the ball fly into his net. If Arsene Wenger can rally the troops behind the win, Arsenal are a safe bet to finish inside the top four.
Tottenham - 3rd (53 points)
While Arsenal's five unanswered goals was an
impressive feat, the defeat will be a tough one to swallow for Spurs. At
the forefront of the conversation is manger Harry Redknapp, who must now prepare hi side for a clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Tottenham currently have 53 points and hold a six-point lead ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal in the table. However, in order to keep pace with Manchester United (61 points) the only result Spurs can have this weekend is a win. Regardless, the form of both Manchester clubs foreshadows one hoisting the title come May 13th. As for Tottenham, chances are high they'll finish in third or fourth.
Chelsea - 5th (46 points)
It's no secret that Chelsea is underperforming,
considering the club has won just three of their last 10 Premier League
matches. If their league form wasn't bad enough, the scrutiny of
first-year boss Andres Villas Boas picked up more steam after last week's
abysmal 3-1 defeat by Napoli in the Champions League. Although Chelsea has been
a fixture in the top four during the modern era, they look destined to be on the outside looking in when the season ends.
Newcastle United - 6th (44
points)
The Magpies have been nothing short of
brilliant this term. Manger Alan Pardew has his club in stellar form, thanks largely in
part to the emergence of striker Demba Ba.
The Senegalese international was tipped for an exit during the January
window after a marvelous first-half of the season that saw him score 13 goals in 20 league
matches. However, to Pardew's delight, the club was able to retain his services.
In addition to Ba staying put during the
window, the club appears to have struck gold with the addition of his
international strike partner: Papiss Demba Cissé. Cissé, who netted a spectacular match-winner against Aston Villa on his debut, has scored twice since his arrival from
German outfit SC Freiburg in January. In short, if Ba and Cissé can stay healthy, Newcastle should finish no worse than fifth.
Liverpool – 7th
(39 points)
Liverpool are currently nine
points adrift of the top four but are trending in the right direction thanks to
the recent form of Craig Bellamy, and the return of Steven Gerrard. Despite a team sheet filled with talent, the inconsistency through the first 27 matches is likely to continue over the course of the term. Unless Andy Carroll and Luiz Suarez can produce stellar runs to close out the season, a top-five finish seems unrealistic.
Norwich City – 11th (35 points)
Norwich City has, for many reasons, been the upstart club of the season. Led by the frontline partnership of Grant Holt and Steve Morrison, the Canneries have held their own despite the odds. Central to their success has been the play of fullback Kyle Naughton, on loan from Tottenham, and creative influence of attacking midfielder Wesley Hoolahan. Although Norwich suffered a tough lose to Manchester United this passed weekend, their run of four wins in their last seven matches has pulled them within four points of Liverpool.
Mid-Table Tussle
Although Norwich has been in great form, just
seven points separate 14th placed Swansea City and seventh placed
Liverpool. Among the club positioned in
the cluster, the two clubs that seems best equipped to push through the fray
are Fulham and Everton.
Fulham has been lead by U.S. international Clint
Dempsey, who has scored nine goals and tallied three assists in 26 appearances. With Dempsey in line for a career season, all
signs point the Cottagers making a return to the Europa next season. To ensure that this comes true, club made
three key signings during the January window.
The addition of defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has given Danny
Murphy an ideal partner in the center of the park, while there has been quite a
buzz over the arrival of striker Pavel Pogrebnyak from VfB Stuttgart.
It appears they are gearing for a forward push towards the top of the
table.
Meanwhile, Everton are a side seasoned in
weathering the storm of mid-table scrambles.
While the club has parted ways with LA Galaxy loanee Landon Donavon, the
Toffees have brought in striker Nikica Jelavic and added Steven Pienaar on loan
to help fill the void. The moves have fortified
David Moyes frontline in an attempt to shift the weight off their always-strong
defense. Anchored by center-backs Johnny
Heitinga and Sylvain Distan, Everton’s back lines is home one of the Premier
League’s best attacking left-back in Leighton Baines. The combination of a sound defense and
weapons through the squad, including Tim Cahill and youngster Ross Barkley, has
them positioned for a favorable second-half run.
The Relegation Battle
The bottom of the table is equally as tight as
the mid-table race above. Wigan and
Bolton are currently at the bottom, even on 20 points, but sit just two points
off a pack of three—Wolves, Blackburn and QPR.
Despite Wigan’s current position, the Latics and QPR are the pair of the
group that are well enough equipped to stave off relegation.
QPR are the clear-cut favorites survive because
they went out and added two strikers before the transfer window closed. The arrival of Bobby Zamora from Fulham and France
international Djirbril Cisse were great pieces of business, and should be
enough to see what the relegation scrap from afar.
On the other hand, Wigan will have a much
harder time given their lack of offensive firepower. The saving grace and primary reason they
should be able to stay afloat is goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. The Oman international spent last season on
loan at the DW Stadium and was named Wigan’s Player of the Season, which
prompted the his permanent signing during the summer. While a reliable goalkeeper gives them a leg
up on the competition, manger Roberto Martinez will need to light a fire under
his frontline of Franco Di Santo and Victor Moses. All things considered, chances are high the
last two matches of the season will decide their future—a visit from Blackburn
then followed by a trip to Wolves.
Table Predications
1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Tottenham
4. Arsenal
5. Newcastle
6. Chelsea
7. Liverpool
8. Everton
9. Fulham
10. Norwich City
11. Swansea City
12. West Brom
13. Stoke City
14. Sunderland
15. Aston Villa
16. QPR
17. Wigan
18. Wolverhampton
19. Blackburn
20. Wigan
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