The Premier League 2020/21 campaign has already taken on multiple twists and turns that many couldn’t have seen coming, and we’re expecting the same to remain true over the course of the next few months. While some fans will choose to put some money down on what’s going to happen through our betting page, others will nervously sit and wait to see what will transpire for their own team in these bizarre times.
While there are going to be plenty of fixtures that take place between now and May, and there are even going to be a few that happen this weekend, we want to focus in on the midweek games that have already happened and will continue to happen in the next 36 hours. Whether it be at the top of the table or in the relegation scrap there’s a whole lot to unpack and, due to the nature of the schedule, there’s not a great deal of time left for us to talk about it.
Title race
The popular opinion is that this is now a three-horse race for the championship between Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, and while teams such as Leicester and Tottenham may have something to say about that, we’re going to assume for the sake of this piece that we do, in fact, have just three teams left in the running.
City have put their best foot forward already by making an emphatic statement at The Hawthorns last night, sticking five goals past West Bromwich Albion to claim their top spot once again. Manchester United, on the other hand, will get their chance to answer the call and reclaim first place when they take on Sheffield United in what could serve as a potential banana skin. The last of the three to compete will be Liverpool who, it’s safe to say, probably need to beat Tottenham if they are to have any hope of holding onto their crown.
European fight
West Ham United’s win over Crystal Palace means that, all of a sudden, they’re in the hunt for a place in the top four – mainly because that’s where they currently reside. Arsenal also announced their intention to compete in the top six race by beating Southampton who, in their own right, probably need to reassess what they expect to accomplish this season.
Chelsea, under the guidance of new manager Thomas Tuchel, will fancy their chances of reigniting their Champions League quest when they take on Wolves today. Aston Villa are also in a strong position and should be able to build on that against Burnley, whereas Everton and Leicester will lock horns in what could be the most intriguing game of the entire week.
Relegation battle
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United may not seem like they’re in immediate danger of falling into the relegation battle, but trust us when we say that’s the way we’re heading, especially after their aforementioned defeats last night. West Brom’s heavy defeat to Manchester City confirmed why they are now one of the leading candidates from the drop, with Sheffield United needing a big performance tonight if they’re going to make any noise against the Red Devils.
Wolves could be dragged into this mess if they can’t put up a fight against Chelsea with the Clarets aiming to put even more distance between themselves and the bottom three when they take on a Villa side they’ve already taken points off of this season. The real headline-making game down the bottom, though, will take place when 17th place Brighton host 18th place Fulham in what is the literal definition of a six-pointer.
