The title race in England was bereft of the drama and anxiety of the seasons past. The relegation scrap was lamentably bland. But with only two more game-weeks to unfold before Arne Slot and his merry Liverpool bunch get crowned domestic champs, the pursuit for European riches intensifies to nail-chewing tension, a nudge away from panic attack for fans of the teams locked in a you-miss-I-hit scramble.
The premise is simple yet complex—six points differentiate six teams striving to finish in the top five that could secure Champions League spots and European riches (15.7 millions pounds apiece).
Four of them are involved in straight match-ups to inflict more chaos on the table that is oscillating faster than the index before polls. Embedding another layer into the intrigue is that four of them have fate in their own hands (Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United), yet a momentary stumble could push them back to the queue’s tail. They would even agonisingly watch one of Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United, destined to finish outside the top-15, access the CL parking lot by winning the Europa League. Imagine the embarrassment of Arsenal or Manchester City if they finish outside the top-five, a remote possibility, and watching their bitterest rivals, Spurs, or sourest foes United, playing in Europe’s most hallowed league.
But Arsenal, semifinalist this year and the best team in Europe according to manager Mikel Arteta’s delusional estimations, should be cursing themselves for their plight. Even though the title-scrap had practically ended in March, the second-place had always looked certain, until the last few weeks, wherein they winkled out a sole win in six games.
The tenacious draw at Anfield offered breathing space and a point could effectively nick their entry. But next, they host a resurgent Newcastle United, the sort of robust and regimented teams they have stumbled this season against, and travel to Southampton, the team with the wooden spoon, but that held City to a goalless draw, refusing to bow down without a whimper.
The two lost points incensed Pep Guardiola, who termed their next three games (including FA Cup summit clash) as the three finals of the season. “I didn’t expect differently from a month ago, that it’s a fight until the end,” he added. But the path is not a bed of roses—they run into Fulham (home) and Bournemouth (away). The latter are characteristically resilient at home, though their best phase of the season is past them. Fulham, at one juncture, seemed sure-shot Europa entity, but has slipped horrendously due to waning form and injuries. A lone win in their last five games reflects their steep fall. The return of Erling Haaland should aid City’s quest and salvage what had been an unusually erratic season.
Not only City, most sides endured dizzying fluctuations of form. Champions elect Liverpool had a late tumble, though not punishing enough to cost the title. Newcastle United too suffered intermittent blips, like the 4-0 hammering at Etihad, and more damningly 4-1 stutter to Bournemouth. But Eddie Howe’s side has fought back from the precipice and secured a significant victory over Chelsea to end the week in third spot. A trip to Emirates next week assumes increasing significance. As would be the season-ender against a revitalised Everton. In the last few games, they have enormously missed the creative energy of Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, forcing a midfield rejig.
The defeat has shunned Chelsea to the fifth spot, but Nottingham Forest’s slip meant their destiny is firmly in their own hands—win both games and maintain the healthy goal-difference over Aston Villa. The hammering of Liverpool the week before did raise plumes of optimism for the Enzo Maresca club, but in sync with their season, they blew cold against Newcastle United. Next week’s showdown against United shouldn’t be bothersome, but the toilers of Ruben Amorim have made life uneasy for top clubs. City, Liverpool and Arsenal failed to bag three points against them. Their last game, against Nottingham Forest could be a straight shootout for the CL status.
Though sixth on the table, Aston Villa have garnered momentum after clever acquisitions in the January transfer window, having won eight of their last 10 fixtures and have a reasonably kind schedule. Their last two games are lined up against Spurs and United, traditionally top six, but languishing midway in the bottom half. That they are in the top 10 itself is an achievement, given their mid-season slump, wherein they gathered just six wins in 21 games. Apart from the injured Youri Tielemans, they have a fit and in-form squad with considerable depth too. But after finishing in top-four last season, finishing sixth or beneath would be considered a step back for Emery’s side.
If Villa’s surge was the surprise of last season, Forests’ surge was the flavour this campaign. At one point, they seemed destined for third, but a recent slough, one win in the last five games, have pushed them to the brink. At the start of the season, they would have greeted a Europa spot gleefully, but having sat in top-four for nearly three-fourths of the season, they would rue drawing to relegated Leicester at home. Nonetheless, they would keep praying for a miracle.
*******
Points: 68
Games: Newcastle United (H), Southampton (A)
A draw should secure the spot. But Newcastle United are on an upbeat mood and are striving for a CL-slot themselves. A loss could put them under immense pressure in the final week, where relegated teams have a habit of playing out of their skins.
Points: 66
Games: Arsenal (A), Everton (H)
The trip to Emirates would be decisive, but having beaten the Gunners in their last three meetings, they wouldn’t flinch. They would even take a draw as they welcome Everton on the final day. Since lifting the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy in decades, they have been a more vibrant side.
Points: 65
Games: Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A)
The contests, on paper, look reasonably straightforward. But the draw against Southampton’s cynical low-blockers would pile pressure on Guardiola and Co. Bournemouth could be stern, Fulham less stressful, although the compact Craven Cottage could intimidate.
Points: 63
Games: Manchester United (H), Nottingham Forest (A)
Fate is in their hands, but the last two games have the potential to turn arduous. United have summoned a rare resolve and dynamism against them, while Forest could go full throttle to secure their own place in the CL.
Points: 63
Games: Tottenham Hotspur (H), Manchester United (A)
The stumble of Chelsea has offered them hope. But unlike them, they don’t have a complete grasp over their destiny. They require Chelsea to stutter, or win their remaining games with heavy margins to eviscerate Chelsea’s goal-difference advantage (19 to 7).
Points: 62
Games: West Ham United (A), Chelsea (H)
An unlikely draw against Leicester City diminished their hopes. But as had been their tenacity this season, they would throw the kitchen sink against their remaining opponents. Still, they would require favourable stars to align.
