Daily Times

The English Premier League (EPL) has entered its final six weeks, and by the looks of it, Manchester City are the favourites to win the title. The blues sit on top of the table with a 13-point daylight between themselves and second place Manchester United.

For United, third placed Liverpool and and fourth ranked Tottenham, only an outrageous turn of events or a never-before seen miracle could earn them the EPL. If one of the three wins all six remaining games and if MCFC loses of all theirs, only then could things get interesting.

But even with a couple of disappointments of late, it is close to impossible that such a bizarre thing happens. For this season, MCFC are just a few steps away from being crowned as champions, while Liverpool, United and Tottenham are most likely to qualify for Champions League football.

For defending champions Chelsea and fellow-Londoners Arsenal, UCL football appears a dream. Chelsea are 5th with 57 points while Arsenal are 6th with 3 points less. For Chelsea, UCL football is highly unlikely, but for Arsenal, an entry could be guaranteed if they go on to win the Europa League.

Here’s an analysis of how each of the top six fared in this season’s EPL thus far:

Manchester City

MCFC has been unstoppable in England. The team is on course to win the EPL, while it also beat Arsenal 3-0 in Carabao Cup’s final earlier this year. Pep Guardiola’s second season as the team lead has been nothing but brilliant.

Although, the team faced a disastrous 3-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in UCL quarter-final first leg, it would be a mistake to count them out just yet. That their biggest slip-up came in a decisive fixture is one thing, but their overall performance has been commendable.

The team, under Guardiola, is more fluid, swift and decisive when moving forward. At the back, they might crumble if you put enough pressure, but getting the ball off them is the big thing.

Manchester United

Traditionally, Mourinho’s second season always produces the best results. We have seen that before at Porto, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea. With Manchester United, however, it has not been the case. Mourinho has made the signings, has done well but MCFC is just a little too powerful.

71 points in 32 league fixtures is not a bad score by any means. It is just that the score is not 84. Given EPL’s historic records, 80-90 points are the average to win the title and MU are close enough to the target, and if it was not for MCFC, MU would be the winners.

If we judge the reds by their own standards, and not by MCFC’s, United has performed exceptionally well this season. They too, however, have had a UCL set back after Sevilla knocked them out, but the team has an FA Cup to defend and a potential trophy in sight.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s season could have been much better had they not piled up 10 draws in the EPL this season thus far. The team has looked just as good as they were last season in the league and had it not been for Muhammad Salah’s breakout year, who knows where the team would have been in the rankings.

In Europe, the team is rocking. That might be because they have placed their entire focus and energies onto the UCL. They won’t win the league, but in a two-legged tie, they can shock the world.

Tottenham

The Spurs have failed to capitalise on their performances last season. Tottenham managed to bag 86 points last season, and by the looks of it, they would not be able to close let alone outscore the tally.

In Europe, they could not get past Juventus and were knocked out 4-3 on aggregate. Nevertheless, the team still has a chance at the FA Cup trophy as they face Man United in the semi finals.

Chelsea

If there was an award for the most disappointing team in EPL this season, it would go to Chelsea.

The defending champions, who dominated last season with a 93-point league win, are struggling to make UCL football this season running, and it looks highly unlikely that they would be able to do so.

Like Tottenham and MU, they also have a consolation chance via FA Cup, but they have been very disappointing to say the least.

Moreover, a 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Barcelona in UCL has further suggested that changes are needed. The team that once looked unstoppable has run out of ideas, it seems.

Arsenal

Arsenal has been stable. The team has neither performed overwhelmingly nor has it crumbled.

Arsenal has maintained a mediocre level they have been at for the past very years. And although they do have a good chance at the Europa League, ending up sixth in the EPL is not a result to be proud of.

The team needs tactical and technical changes and also a more modern approach to football, which would only come via a new manager. As much of a legend Arsene Wenger is, it’s time to quit and let the team stream into the new era of football.