So much is still to be decided in the Premier League season with just three weeks remaining. From Manchester City’s continued push for the Treble to the four-team street fight to avoid relegation, storylines abound.
Jay Croucher and NBC’s Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) sat down on this week’s edition of The NBC Sports Soccer Pub to breakdown teams at the top and bottom of the Table.
Man City’s Pursuit of the Champions League Title
The conversation began reflecting on Manchester City’s Champions League semifinal bout against Real Madrid.
“It looked as though they (Real Madrid) had Manchester City on the ropes a little bit,” said Higginbotham. “The thing is, though, when you look at this Manchester City team, the players that they have, they’ve got so many game changers…The equalizer was just a phenomenal strike…Manchester City, I think you have them as the favorite at Etihad…but Real Madrid, we’ve seen. Write them off at your own peril.”
(Read More: How and Where to Watch the Premier League)
In addition to the second leg of their semifinal against their ultimate nemesis, Real Madrid, Manchester City still must also play four league games as they continue to pursue another Premier League title. While they appear to be in line to do so, does City have enough left in the tank physically and mentally to hold off Mikel Arteta and Arsenal?
Higginbotham likes City’s chances because of their depth of talent and because of their manager’s extra motivation to take the league.
“I think Pep Guardiola, he looks at Arsenal and thinks, if Arsenal wins the league, wow! I allowed Zinchenko to go there. I allowed Jesus to go there and my assistant manager, Arteta, he’s now there as well…there’s a personal side here (for Pep).”
Arsenal Hanging Around
The aforementioned Jesus and the Gunners have apparently righted the ship yet again and now appear poised to pounce should City have a hiccup down the stretch. They sit one point behind Kevin DeBruyne and co. and the schedule is favorable with two of their three remaining games at Emirates Stadium and the lone road contest at City Ground against a defensively challenged Nottingham Forest squad. Yes, Steve Cooper’s squad is fighting to stave off relegation and thus has reason to play hard, but they are trying to mask issues on the back end by attempting to outscore teams. That has rarely been a successful strategy for Forest in general and even less likely to prove fruitful against Bukayo Saka and his mates.
Liverpool is rolling and rising up the Table as a result. The Reds have won six straight and have not lost since April 1. Manchester United and Newcastle each have a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp‘s squad, but Liverpool now trails Man United by only a single point and Newcastle by just three. The fight for a spot in next season’s Champions League is still very much alive at Liverpool.
Who Gets Relegated
At the other end of the Table, there is possibly even more drama as the fight to stave off relegation continues. With Southampton seemingly doomed at this point the fight is among four clubs for two spots.
Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Leeds United, and Everton each have three games remaining. None of the four play each other. Quality of opponent on paper seems to give the edge to Leicester as they close the campaign against West Ham. The Hammers have not been good this year. Tom Rennie called their season dreadful on last week’s episode of The Pub. Now that they have staved off relegation, they have zero reason to push on the season’s final day.
(Read More: Premier League Relegation)
“This is where it gets really difficult,” said Higginbotham. “If I had to say who I think is going to go down I think its going to be…I think Southampton obviously…Leeds, I really fear for them. Its such a tough call because I look at Forest but their home form…I think they only need a point…as much as it pains me to say it…I fear for Leicester after that performance at Fulham…Its going to be unbelievably exciting.”
Best Bets
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas): Everton v. Manchester City City 1st Half ML (-125)
“Actually what Pep does when he has big midweek fixtures coming up he actually likes to play very strong elevens early, get up, control, and then take his guys out in the 60th, 70th minute.”
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper): Aston Villa v. Tottenham Aston Villa ML (+115)
“Villains I think can get an early goal on the scoresheet. That takes a little of the pressure off the team and then they can put away a comfortable victory.”
Jay Croucher (@croucherJD): Aston Villa to Finish Top 6 (+1600)
“There are three teams left that they can catch realistically to get a Top 6 spot and the Villains, they have three games left and they play all three of those teams.”
Enjoy the weekend of Premier League action on the NBC Family of Networks…and enjoy the sweat.