Five weeks. That is the time remaining between today and the final matchday of the 2014/2015 English Premier League. Between now and then, there are only seven - or in the case of league leaders Chelsea and relegation candidates Leicester City, eight - matches remaining. A total of 21 points can be earned for 18 out of the 20 teams.
As such, this is obviously a crucial number on the minds of managers of both teams fighting for the league title, a European football berth, and those battling to avoid the drop to the Championship for the upcoming campaign.
Naturally, the race for the top four - or the Champions League spots - is the one that many fans are focused on and this season is certainly not any less exciting. Whilst Jose Mourinho's Chelsea appear to be growing closer to celebrating the league title in London, things are looking quite tight just below them, with just nine points dividing second-placed Arsenal from fifth-placed Liverpool. And, a look at this table shows that the Gunners, who have won eight matches on the trot, are just seven behind the Blues, who, though, do hold a game in hand.
Arsenal is one team that will be keeping an eye on the results of Saturday's blockbuster clash
With the Blues set to welcome the Red Devils to Stamford Bridge this Saturday, all eyes will definitely be on this game due to the significance it could have on how things look at the end of this weekend and possibly even in May. And the current league leaders, who appear to be limping towards their first league title in five years, will certainly be feeling the pressure as they are aware that a slip-up could be costly.
Chelsea have appeared less than certain as they attempt to win their first title since the 2009/2010 season
Arsenal - Trying to stage a late upset of their London rivals
Whilst Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City will all be featuring in the league, the Gunners as well as the Reds will have to turn their attention to the FA Cup as they take on Reading. Arsene Wenger's side have been on an excellent run of form as of late following their 2-1 loss to Spurs on February 7. Since then, they have picked up 24 points from their last octet of matches, with their most impressive result being a 4-1 thrashing of fellow top-four contender Liverpool about a fortnight ago.
Then and now: Arsenal have been excellent in the league since losing to Southampton on New Years' Day
Since the start of the New Year, they have been simply fantastic, with just two losses and as Chelsea seek to end the Manchester duopoly over the league title, they will be keen on making it a ninth straight win as they welcome their London opponents to the Emirates next weekend.
Interestingly, Arsenal are in a fascinating situation. With 66 points, they are seven behind Chelsea and one ahead of Manchester United. A win for the Red Devils will take them to 68 points, two in front of Wenger's squad, albeit having played more games. Meanwhile, victory for Chelsea will widen the gap to ten ahead of their own meeting on April 26th, making things a lot more complicated for them to truly make a (very) late title charge.
Manchester United - An impressive turn around under Louis Van Gaal
February 22nd of this year marked a turning point for Louis Van Gaal's men in the Premier League. Following their frustrating 2-1 loss to Swansea, the 20-time league champions were sitting in fourth, which, given their disappointing seventh last season in itself was an improvement. But for a club regarded as among the best in the world, having to secure qualification through the play-offs will not suffice for their strong fan base.
Well, between then and this past weekend's Manchester Derby, the Dutch tactician has guided his side to an impressive six match winning streak that culminated in a 4-2 defeat of Manchester City at Old Trafford. And like Gunners supporters, Manchester United fans must be wondering why their team could not have started this brilliant string of results at an earlier stage this season.
The Red Devils finally defeated the Citizens for the first time since December 9, 2012 this past Sunday
But is a 21st title already out of their reach? Well, a win would move them to 68 points, five behind Chelsea - but keeping in mind the Blues' extra game. And as noted before, they will have to hope that Arsenal not only defeats them in the upcoming London derby, but will have to also, of course, defeat Everton to make it 71 points versus Chelsea's 73. And that's when things could get quite interesting indeed.
It would not be their first time in clawing their way to the league title. They did so back in 1996 against Newcastle, and certainly fans will be more familiar with the 2003 overhaul of Arsenal - who had been leading by eight points in early March - and then again in the 2008/2009 season of Liverpool.
Simply put, though, all this will be naught if they cannot defeat Mourinho's troops at Stamford Bridge. The Red Devils have done quite well against fellow top sides, having posted the following record against Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal this season:
- Arsenal - Win (away) 2 - 1; Home to be played on May 17th
- Chelsea - Draw (home) 1 -1; Away to be played on April 18th (tomorrow)
- Liverpool - Win (home) 3-0; Win (away) 2 - 1
- Manchester City - Loss (away) 1-0; Win (home) 4-2
To break it down, Van Gaal has won 50% out of eight scheduled clashes against this quartet, with just one loss to City to mar what would have been an unblemished record.
Manchester City - The reigning champions already have conceded their title
After winning two league titles in three seasons, Manchester City were hoping to make it three in four as they aspired to successfully fend off the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea to be crowned Premier League champions yet again.
The trouble is, when one is at the top, everyone else simply cannot wait to bring them back down. With their continental dreams dashed yet again by Barcelona and having being dumped out of FA Cup as well as the Capital One Cup, Manuel Pellegrini's sole chance at some kind of redemption would have been for the league title to remain in Manchester for yet another season.
However, a poor run of form as of late - including the 4-2 stinging loss in the most recent Manchester Derby have effectively ended this title dream, too. As a result, the only thing now left is to hopefully make sure they can finish in the top four, which due to their recent defeat does not look a certainty either.
Manchester City's title defense is effectively over. Now what they can hope for is a top four spot
With Liverpool on hiatus in the FA Cup, the first thing on City's agenda will be, naturally, to find a way past West Ham United. Nothing less than all three points will suffice, which will move them to 64 points. And one can be pretty certain which team City fans will be rooting for in the Chelsea vs. Manchester United tie as they pray the Blues will do Sky Blues a huge favour and end the Red Devils' unbeaten run tomorrow. This would then help their squad to just one point behind LVG's side and well in the running for third place.
Liverpool - Waiting and hoping for someone to slip up
Reds fans, unfortunately are well aware of how costly a slip - no pun intended - can be. Last season saw Brendan Rodgers' men in their best form in several seasons and led by attacking duo Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, were painfully close to lifting their first league title in more than two decades.
Unfortunately, a loss to Chelsea, coupled with shockingly throwing away a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on the penultimate matchday saw them having to settle for second. This time around, not only are they well out of the title race, but also may find themselves failing to secure Champions League football. As they prepare to set up a final FA Cup clash with Arsenal by beating Aston Villa, Liverpool not be too interested in the outcome of the Chelsea and Manchester United game.
However, with just four between them and Manchester City, a top four finish is not out of the question, but as things stand, it appears that they might have to rely on some of their fellow league sides to do them a bit of a favour.
As London prepares to take on Manchester in tomorrow's eagerly anticipated tactical battle, both teams will certainly take to the pitch knowing that it could more than just three points at stake, with at least two other sides keenly analysing what the outcome could have on their own ambitions this season.
