With so many of the season’s Premier league fixtures still to come, it would be unwise to predict who will walk away with the championship in May 2012.
However, it’s more than a little likely it will be one of the current top four that takes the title – so here are some thoughts on how the main contenders will fare over the coming months.
Manchester City
The current league leaders are riding high on success at the moment, but as their incredible 6-1 victory over local rivals Man United is consigned to the history books, Mancini’s men will have to dig deep to keep it up after Christmas. In December and January, the blues will face some tough opposition including Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, but could the club’s deep pockets be used once more to strengthen the squad and ensure Premiership victory?
Manchester United
Traditionally, the reds do some of their best work in the New Year and there’s no doubt Sir Alex Ferguson will want to put October’s Old Trafford derby defeat out of his mind this winter as he strives to lead the club to a 20th Premiership title. Little is known about what funds will be available to the manager in the transfer window, but with a second Manchester City meeting due in April, he’ll want to be in a strong position to get his revenge at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham Hostspur
Spurs are certainly one of the most entertaining teams in the league at the moment and have done incredibly well to fend off challenges from a number of other clubs so far. Meetings in December with Chelsea and Manchester City in January will continue to test Harry Redknapp’s men, as will a handful of injuries that are threatening to keep players like Rafa van der Vaart and Jermain Defoe off the pitch for at least a few games beforehand.
Newcastle United
It’s probably fair to say that Newcastle United have surprised all the football news columns this season with their charge up the Premier League table, but does the team have what it takes to see things through till May and mount a challenge that can knock all of the teams above off their perch? Some would say probably not, but one thing is for sure, if the Toon can keep up their incredible work ethic, they could well be playing Champions League football next year.