Chris Maduewesi
Member
It makes for an intriguing climax to the season because there is no clear cut runner-away leader at this stage,as all the four teams are in with a good chance of ending as champions.
More fascinating that all the four teams are refusing the tag of ''favourites'',all claiming to be taking it a game after the other,rather wittingly passing the buck.
You might want to call it a ploy,what is certain is that the managers don't want title talks to get into the psyche of their players.
All these schemes of rejecting the favourites tag started when Jose Mourinho likened his Chelsea to a 'small horse,' ironically they have been top of the table for over four weeks,not looking like they want to relinquish it.
Mourinho claims City and Liverpool have an advantage over Chelsea in the title race, equally tipping Arsenal to still win the Premier League.
He believes Manchester City and Liverpool have an advantage over Chelsea in the title race,owing to the fact that they don't have a midweek game to worry about till the end of the season.
"We play in the Champions League - they don't," adds the Chelsea manager. "We have to play matches with two and three days between. We have to change our focus from Premier League to Champions League and go back to Premier League.
"Liverpool keep going in their perfect season. We have to play Champions League. We have no time to prepare for matches like they have. I think it's a big advantage they have. It is still still open for Arsenal. It is more difficult because they are a few points behind the other teams, but it is still mathematically possible."
Yes the two are breathing down Chelsea's neck and if City wins all their outstanding games,they will go top on the table.
But Pellegrini after the 3-0 victory in the Manchester derby on Tuesday dwelt more in the abilities of his side to see out all three points,but he avoided being drawn as favourites to now win the league
Same went for Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers after their 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Wednesday.
Only Arsenal's Arsene Wenger voices it out that they can win the Premier league title,however their inconsistency instills doubt that they cannot. They are six points adrift and it is difficult seeing them haul that deficit with just few games left.
So with all the teams rejecting the title tag,who will then emerge as the champions?
The star matches to look forward to in the Premiership this weekend are,
Arsenal vs Manchester City:
This game could all but kill off Arsenal's title ambitions this season,as a loss could see them concentrate on what they have been doing in recent seasons,fight for top four spot.
Arsenal have not won in their last two games,being battered last weekend against Chelsea and drawing on Tuesday with Swansea.
If there was a game a speedy response is required,then it is this one against Manchester City. But they would be coming against a team who are on a roll,waltzing past Manchester United in the derby as though they weren't even there.
A bit of a cheering news for Arsenal,Aguero has been declared unfit to travel for the tie at the Emirates,so he wouldn't rattle their backline with his sublime movement on an off the ball.
City though ,have enough in their armoury to hurt the Gunners,but Arsene Wenger's men should be able to put up a good fight at home.
The last time both sides met at the Etihad,it witnessed a high scoreline of 6-3 which City won,and it could have even be more on the day.
So the return leg at the Emirates should offer same as well in goals return,depending on whose defence is more solid on the day.
City boss Pellegrini said on Arsenal clash: "It is a match of six points," whatever he was implying by that,you have a feeling that he is taking the game seriously.
Nigerian Bulletins prediction: Arsenal 1 - 3 Manchester City
BBC's Mark Lawrenson Arsenal 0 - 2 Manchester City
Liverpool vs Tottenham
This is the first of three important home games for Liverpool,the other being against Manchester City and Chelsea. If they don't win the tie against Spurs,then there would be doubts about their title credentials.
In all fairness their primary aim remains qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League competition.
They do be lying to themselves if they say that they are not thinking about winning the league. It is a white lie. There is genuine possibility that they can end their long wait for a Premier League title this season.
However,a lot hinges on the outcome of the games against Spurs,City and Chelsea.
Spurs on their part are chasing a Champions League place and could be spoilers for the Reds on a good day,that is if they really turn up to play.
Tim Sherwood's hopes of keeping this job squarely rests on his ability to finish in the top four,and he would have to win all the remaining games and hope results involving Arsenal and Everton favours them before they can capitalize.
In Luis Saurez and Daniel Sturridge,Liverpool have proven goalscorers. It will be recalled that the menacing 5-0 defeat of Spurs by Liverpool with an attacking assault led Suarez,ended the reign of Andre Villas Boas at White Hart Lane.
Will they end that of Sherwood's on Sunday?
Nigerian Bulletin's prediction: Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham
Lawro: Liverpool 2 - 0 Tottenham
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
In different eras you would have closed your eyes and call this one. But it is no longer so. United have lost six times at home this season and looked a shadow of the team that cantered away with the title last season,eleven points above others.
Teams have come to Old Trafford and gotten results and you wouldn't bet against Villa doing the same.
A lot could boil down to the atmosphere before the game. With some sections of the club's fans hiring a plane that would fly the banner with the words: "Wrong One - Moyes Out,;you have a feeling that all might not go well for them in the game.
The players could be pre-occupied by that and fail to reproduce a good performance,not like they have been doing so all season.
Some fans appear to be turning against United manager David Moyes and his methods,which they believe has been responsible for the club's dwindle in fortune.
Whatever happens in the game against Villa,United needs a win to inspire confidence as they prepare for the daunting task of facing newly crowned Bundesliga champions,Bayern Munich in the UEFA champions League next week.
Nigerian Bulletin: Manchester United 2 - 2 Aston Villa
Lawro Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa