Analysis of the title battle in fight FOUR it!

By Adam Barker. The most exciting Premier League season in recent years is drawing to thrilling conclusion. With just over 11 weeks remaining, four teams have kept up with one another and left the rest behind. The top four I am talking about is Money Bags Man City, Jose's Sequel at Chelsea, Liverpool’s Resistance and Arsenal's Comeback. There are other teams that are circling the top four, such as Everton's Nosebleed Crew, Tottenham's Typical Disappointments and Man United's Kryptonite Season. These teams are like subs at the moment, and add to the excitement, but every week, I’ll be updating these weekly posts focusing on those top four – and if anything changes I shall throw them into the mix.

So, ahead of the weekend’s fixtures the top of the table looked like this on 21st February:

This has been a familiar line-up throughout the season, but these four do like to play musical chairs, so let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses they’ve displayed throughout the season, and how it’ll affect them going forward.

Chelsea

Strengths: The ability to kill off games and show some great defensive displays. They also have lots of experience and the faith in Jose Mourinho, who likes to deflect the attention of bad performances upon himself to steer focus away from individuals.

Weaknesses: The team has no game-changers in it. The few times Chelsea have been sussed out (eg. the 0-0 at West Ham) they didn’t have a player who could take the game by the scruff of the neck to get them a result. If only they had a player like Mata hey…

Arsenal

Strengths: The ability to win games, without performing well. They’re a team that works well together and have a flair about them. Also the ‘no-fear’ attitude they started the season with has helped their confidence.
Weaknesses: Too many injuries, at important times. Injuries to Walcott, Ramsey and Giroud all happened exactly when they needed them. They’re also a team that can sometimes lose their heads when things aren’t going their way.

Man City

Strengths: Currently hosting some of the best and expensive players in the world, they have lots of depth and the ability to change games from the bench. They always like to perform better under pressure. Oh, and not to forget the massive amount of money they have at their disposal.

Weaknesses: Too many stars can prevent players from knowing their place. A rotational system that prevents players being consistent and a goalkeeper in Joe Hart whose confidence was dented earlier on in the season, left them with a weaker backline.

Liverpool
Strengths: Suarez is easily one of best strikers in the world. Partnered with a confident Daniel Sturridge they have a formidable strike force. Also with Gerrard as Captain Fantastic, this team ooze the confidence and style they need to keep winning.
Weaknesses: They have a weaker squad compared to the others and if injuries to key players happen, they have no cover. They have the ability to drop points too regularly.

So, how will the current top four change in the next few months leading up the end of the season? Who will capitalize on others’ mistakes? Who will Jose complain about next? What won’t Wenger see? Will Liverpool finally have that silverware to accompany their 80s heyday? Will Man City sack their manager if they don’t win the league?

The fight for the title hits full steam as of now and I’ll be here weekly to keep an eye on those prestigious top four places. Will any of them drop out and be replaced by one of the vultures circling in places five to seven? As a Spurs fan I hope so, but then again, what do I know?

Until next week, let’s what these teams have in store…

Do you agree that Chelsea lack game-changers? Do Man City have too many stars? And could an injury to Gerrard or Suarez end Liverpool’s Champions League hopes?

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