Imported User:
With seven matches left to go in the 2011/2012 English premier League season, it is simple to conclude that the title is already beckoning on Manchester United for a record 20th titles, having beaten Blackburn 2-0 on Monday to open up a five point lead on top of the table ahead of second placed Manchester City.
This is because aside Manchester City who still have reliable chance of challenging the league leaders for the title, other contestants are out of the race. Both Arsenal and Tottenham which are third and fourth on the league table respectively are 18 points drift of the leaders, Manchester United while 5th placed Chelsea have 23 points disadvantage against them.
However, in order to avoid making the remaining season become irrelevant and unattractive for observers and fans alike, second placed City will most likely take their visit to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow seriously as they hope to improve their away form and keep chasing the leaders.
Manchester City is coming into the match on two straight 1-1 and 3-3 draws with Stoke City and Sunderland respectively. While the hosts, Arsenal is going into the game on the back of their 2-1 shock defeat to Taye Taiwo’s inspired Queen Rangers Park (QPR) last weekend. The defeat ended Arsene Wenger’s men seven straight match unbeaten run in the league.
Wenger would also come into the game hoping to maintain a third place position in the league and keep their North London arch rival, Tottenham at bay for a Champions League automatic qualification spot.
Arsenal appear to be Manchester City’s obvious banana skin for their quest to still challenge Manchester United for the title, because anything less than a victory tomorrow and Alex Ferguson’s men win against QPR at home, would put a final stop on their title bid.
Manchester City during the betterpart of the season were on top of the Premier League table but unfortunately, they appear to have given Manchester United too many chances to get back at them and now appear certain to beat them for the title.
Roberto Mancini has spoken several times of his players being tired at the top this season, a confession that works not only as a hindrance to their title ambition, but as a potential motivation for United during the tough end of the season run-in.
What also makes Sunday clash between Arsenal and Manchester City significant is the fact that at least not less than three other clubs will be interested in the outcome of the match. Both Chelsea and Tottenham fans will be hoping on Manchester City to do them a favour by beating Arsenal at the Emirates, while Arsene Wenger’s guys will definitely enjoy the support of Manchester United’s fans to beat their visitors.
Chelsea currently in fifth position on the table, just outside the Champions League qualification spot behind Tottenham and Arsenal would want Arsenal to lose tomorrow so as to cut the point gap between them to just two.
In the other EPL games slated also for Sunday, league leaders, Manchester United will host Queen Park Rangers (QPR) at home. Chelsea would host relegation threatened Wigan today.
