As the Premier League season gradually winds down, a lot of clubs have had their fates sealed while that of others are still up in the air.
At the top of the table racing for the title, Manchester City seems to gotten their noses in front when it mattered most. Arsenal led for the much part of the season but the Gunners ran out of steam in April, handing the Citizens the initiative. Pep Guardiola’s men can round off the title race with a routine win over Chelsea at the Etihad this weekend, meaning they could be crowned champions with 2 games to spare. The first of what Pep and his merry-band would hope is a unique treble that would match the 1999 heroics of their city rivals, Manchester United. After the league title, the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League finals beckon.
For Arsenal, it might have been disappointment but it is not all doom and gloom as they have earned the rights to return to the pinnacle of European club football with their “sealed” second place finish. 7 years out of the exclusive company has been agonizing for the fans, disappointing for the players and limiting for the purse of the club. Now, Tue/Wed football is back, that is more than enough to celebrate at the red half of the North side of London!
The race for the remaining top 4 slots is being frantically battled out by 5 clubs; Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool, Brighton and Spurs. Newcastle has the edge and could seal a top 4 place with a win against relegation battlers, Leicester City. For the remaining 4 clubs, battle for the 4th spot could go down to the wire, the last day of the season. The interesting thing is that for them, if they miss out of top 4 which means Champions League football, they could find solace in the lower tiers of European competition; Europa League and Europa Conference League. For clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs, that would be a massive disappointment but for teams like Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa and Fulham, it would a huge leap in their status.
For Chelsea, the only hope in a season that promised so much but delivered so little is the club escaping relegation. With a new manager, Mauricio Pochettino on board and no European exertion and distraction next season, the Blues would hope to launch a major assault for the title.
The relegation fight as been nothing short of dramatic. The Saints have been confirmed relegated but who are the other 2 clubs that will face Championship damnation with them? Leicester City, Leeds United, Everton and Nottingham Forest are all at the risk of joining them while Europa Conference League finalists, West Ham seems safe. It promises to be grandstand finish to the season for the bottom placed teams.
Kolade Omotoso (@Nubianprinz on Twitter)
