This is the most unpredictable Premier League title race in history.
Whether
that is due to a lack of quality, TV money tilting the balance sheets
in the smaller club’s favour or just sheer, good old-fashioned luck, it
is making for a tantalising finale. The established order is finally
being eroded away after years of domination from a few select teams and
it is anyone’s guess as to who will eventually lift the trophy in May.
Here, Sportsmail assesses
the final run-ins of Leicester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester
City and even Manchester United — plus the chasing pack who are not far
behind.
Leicester City
Story so far..
They
are the story. Tipped by many (including myself) to go down, Claudio
Ranieri is leading the side towards one of the great upsets in English
football’s history.
Rate the run-in…
Only
Manchester United and Chelsea of the ‘big’ clubs remain, but it’s not
like either of those hold much fear for sides this season. West Ham and
Everton could pose tricky tests. But really, the title is theirs for the
taking.
Reasons to be cheerful…
Regardless of what happens, they are virtually guaranteed Champions League football.
Reasons to be fearful…
Teams outside the established top five just don’t win the league. It’s unheard of.
Tottenham Hotspur
Story so far…
If
it wasn’t for Leicester, Spurs would be the story. They have managed to
go about the business of being underdogs-turned-favourites in relative
tranquillity.
Rate the run-in…
Still
to play: A massive north London derby, two tough legs in the Europa
League against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and possibly more,
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. Ominous.
Reasons to be cheerful…
Their
manager, Mauricio Pochettino, always has a smile on his face and is one
of football’s good guys. Again, delivering Champions League football,
regardless of if they fail to win the title, will be success.
Reasons to be fearful…
The Europa League could potentially be a real hindrance to their chances, especially if they go further in the competition.
 |
| Tottenham have a huge north London derby this weekend but are still one of the favourites for the title |
Arsenal
Story so far…
Same
old Arsenal, always placing themselves in with a shot and then dismally
falling away (not quite got the same ring to it as the original terrace
chant). Six points adrift of the lead and not looking like they have
they fight to recover that.
Rate the run-in…
Manchester
City, on the penultimate game of the season, could be massive. Or it
could be a battle for third place. West Ham and Everton remain two other
tough ties. Arsene Wenger will not be too put off by the upcoming
opponents, though.
Reasons to be cheerful…
They
are almost certainly going out of the Champions League but still in the
FA Cup, enabling them to concentrate on a domestic double.
Reasons to be fearful…
How many times have we been here before?
 |
| Arsenal fell to their second Premier League defeat in a matter of days against Swansea on Wednesday night |
Manchester City
Story so far…
Easily
the strongest squad in England, by quite some way, and they are
displaying some diabolical form. Given Chelsea and Manchester United’s
demise, they should have walked this title. Instead, they are 10 points
behind.
Rate the run-in…
Manchester
United, Chelsea and Arsenal are still to play and they arguably need
victories in all of their games between now and the end of the season to
win it.
Reasons to be cheerful…
Pep Guardiola is taking over in the summer.
Reasons to be fearful…
He might be leading them in the Europa League.
 |
| Manchester City have the strongest squad in England but they are currently displaying some diabolical form |
Manchester United
Story so far…
Miraculously
in with a shot at the title. They have been accused of playing boring
football by their fans and Louis van Gaal has been under immense
pressure. But they’re still going.
Rate the run-in…
It
is ugly. In the two cups they remain in, they have tough draws versus
West Ham (FA Cup) and Liverpool (Europa League, two legs). On top of
that they have City, Everton, Spurs and Leicester in the league.
Reasons to be cheerful…
Fans will forever be able to watch YouTube replays of Van Gaal taking a touchline tumble.
Reasons to be fearful…
What has happened to the Manchester United of old?
 |
| Manchester United are miraculously still in with a shot at the title but they face an ugly run-in |
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