City’s treble dream lives on!
With TAB boosting the weekend Soccer Pools by almost R1-million, bettors will have opportunities galore to win big, especially with some surprise results on the cards as Premier League teams battle not only for supremacy, but for survival.
By Mark Gleeson
Arsenal do not play again until they host Chelsea on Tuesday, but Wednesday’s 1-4 loss at Manchester City was a fourth Premier League game in a row without success and laid bare the fact they might not yet be champion material.
As their manager Mikel Arteta said after the game, Arsenal were outgunned: “We lost all the races, the first and second balls, they were better in every department — more aggressive, they won every single duel, and when that happens it opens space to attack and that created uncertainty. We could not grab the game and they won it, and they were really good.”
That result means Manchester City’s destiny is in their own hands, even if the log table today shows them still in second spot, two points behind the Gunners. They have two games in hand, starting at Craven Cottage on Sunday where it is expected they will be too strong for Fulham.
Here is one caution, however, and potential music to the ears of Arsenal supporters. City, by their own admission, are struggling with fatigue and although manager Pep Guardiola has rotated his side well, there could yet be a game where the magic does not make it to the field and the heavy legs prove their downfall, opening up a gap for Arsenal to yet slip through and win the league.
Chasing the treble, as City are doing, is no mean feat with the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and the FA Cup final against neighbours Manchester United still to be factored in too.
Beneath the tussle for Premier League glory, there is another absorbing battle for positions three and four on the log, which guarantee a Champions League group berth next season.
Sunday’s game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Aston Villa could be decisive for both club’s hopes of a top-four finish.
Also fascinating is the scramble for safety down at the bottom of the standings where at least seven, if not nine, clubs could yet get sucked into the bottom three and be relegated.
Tomorrow, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves are all away as they scratch for points while Sunday’s clash between Bournemouth and Leeds could be key in the final stakes.
Bournemouth look to have recovered some confidence and form after a horror run following the World Cup break while Leeds United have conceded 14 goals in their last four league outing, collecting a solitary point in the process.