Tottenham Hotspur were the last team standing between the last two Premier League champions and their eventual glory. They might be again. If not Spurs, it could be Manchester United or the defending champs, Chelsea, who give table topping Manchester City the best challenge for the title, all of them are long shots at this point.
That’s because Man City are running way with it right now, off to the greatest start in Premier League history, and holding an 8 point lead over United and Tottenham. They have 31 points to match their +31 goal differential in the first 11 matches.
Some are saying they could wrap this up, at least in a practical sense, by the time the festive period is upon us.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already essentially conceded the title, and he did so weeks ago. His side is considered one of the main potential contenders, with all of the prospective challengers are the big six, as usual. They also all reside in the top six slots.
City are being backed at most places with odds that make them seem like a sure thing right now.
Getting back to Klopp and his side, the Reds are too weak in defense and in the middle of the park to be a factor.
Arsenal were essentially dismissed from this race two weekends ago, when the Citizens handled them pretty easily, 3-1. The Gunners are already showing as 100/1 long shots.
Chelsea has the experience and the talent to get it done, but they have been entirely too inconsistent, and they don’t seem to be handling the additional duties of managing both UEFA Champions League and the domestic race very well.
United are slipping now, having gotten off to a rip roaring start, padding their numbers against much weaker competition. The Red Devils got a favorable schedule early on, versus mid and lower table sides. Now, against better teams, they’re being brought back down to Earth.
Thus, it’s probably going to be Tottenham or bust, if we’re still going to have any title race at all. They’re usually being backed with the best odds of anyone, other than City.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune corporation blogging community Chicago Now.
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