Are Tottenham Hotspur legitimate Premier League title contenders? At this point, absolutely. Spurs have been middling in Europa League mediocrity for a long while, but that’s all changed this season. Tottenham are top four contenders at worst, title challengers at best.
According to a story in today’s Daily Mirror, Harry Kane has fired a title warning by declaring Tottenham “don’t fear anyone” ahead of the Manchester City showdown.
Overall, here’s where Spurs currently reside in the table, and where they’re projected in the title race, via ESPN FC Soccer Power Index
Team Points SPI Title chances Title chances prior to the weekend
Leicester City 53 40% 18%
Tottenham Hotspur 48 11% 7%
Arsenal 48 20% 18%
Manchester City 47 29% 57%
It’s been a hot potato situation for the title favorite position. No one wants to keep that status and it keeps on getting passed around. Chelsea began the year overwhelming favorites. Manchester City quickly supplanted them when the defending champs began the season with disastrous results.
Then it was Arsenal’s turn. They were the consensus favorites, but not for long. Manchester United rose to the top of the table not once, but twice. However, they couldn’t stay there and now they’ll be lucky to make top four. Leicester is the favorite now. The Foxes are for real and there’s no denying that now. From recently promoted to championship favorites, what a wonderful Cinderella story we have unfolding at the King Power Stadium.
At least to the non-partisan outside observer.
For Tottenham to win the title, they’ll likely have to go through the very surprising Foxes. Yes, despite Arsenal having the tradition and Man City having the big money talent. Of course, there’s no reason to rule out Spurs. This is the year for WHot Hart Lane to rise. The race is wide open with a whole host of contenders and there’s no dominant team.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram