WITH 14 GAMES to play, just five points currently separates the top four teams.
Consequently, we asked our team of writers to give their predictions for the weeks ahead…
Fintan O’Toole
IT’S BEEN A crazed madcap Premier League season which has become impossible to predict. You can make a case that Leicester can continue their meteoric rise, that Tottenham can seize a great opportunity and that Arsenal are best placed to finally end their league drought. But if Sergio Aguero stays fit and they iron out their problems at the back, Manchester City can get the job done to lift the title.
LEICESTER – 75 points
Feb 6th: Man City (a) – Lose; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) – Draw; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) – Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) – Draw; Mar 14th: Newcastle (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) – Win; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) – Win; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) – Lose; May 7th: Everton (h) – Draw; May 15th: Chelsea (a) – Draw.
MAN CITY – 78 points
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) – Win; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) – Lose; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) – Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Draw; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) – Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) – Win; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) – Draw; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) – Win; May 7th: Arsenal (h) – Win; May 15th: Swansea (a) – Win.
ARSENAL – 75 points
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) – Win; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) – Draw; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) – Draw; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) – Lose; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) – Win; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) – Win; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) – Draw; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) – Win; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) – Win; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) – Win; May 7th: Man City (a) – Lose; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) – Win.
TOTTENHAM – 74 points
Feb 6th: Watford (h) – Draw; Feb 14th: Man City (a) – Win; Feb 28th: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) – Draw; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) – Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h) – Win; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Draw; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) – Win; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) – Lose; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) – Draw; May 7th: Southampton (a) – Draw; May 15th: Newcastle (a) – Win.
Niall Kelly
Maybe Liverpool aren’t exactly a good barometer of a team’s title credentials but there was nothing in Leicester’s performance on Tuesday night to indicate that a wobble is coming down the tracks. That said, I can’t shake the feeling that it will be so near yet so far for the Foxes. The four remaining away games against City, Arsenal, United and Chelsea will define their challenge. I have them down for three points out of 12; outperform that and they might well be in the mix.
If Leicester do tail off slightly as I expect, it will open the door for City who have managed to keep right in the hunt despite some their inconsistency, and I predict a strong finish as Pep watches on from the wings. Sorry, Arsenal fans — I think the wheels are already starting to wobble and Spurs will leapfrog the Gunners for third.
LEICESTER – 76 PTS
Feb 6th: Man City (a) – Draw; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) – Lose; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) – Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) – Win; Mar 14th: Newcastle – Win (h); Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) – Draw; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) – Win; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) – Lose; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) – Draw; May 7th: Everton (a) – Win; May 15th: Chelsea (a) – Draw.
MAN CITY – 83 PTS
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) – Draw; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) – Draw; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) – Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Lose; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) – Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) – Win; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) – Win; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) – Win; May 7th: Arsenal (h) – Win; May 15th: Swansea (a) – Win.
ARSENAL – 72 PTS
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) – Win; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) – Win; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) – Lose; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) – Lose; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) - Draw; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) – Win; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) – Draw; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) – Win; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) – Win; May 7th: Man City (a) – Lose; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) – Win.
TOTTENHAM – 75 PTS
Feb 6th: Watford (h) – Win; Feb 14th: Man City (a) – Draw; Feb 28th: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) – Lose; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) – Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h) – Win; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Draw; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) – Lose; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) – Draw; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) – Win; May 7th: Southampton (a) – Win; May 15th: Newcastle (a) – Win.
Alan Waldron
As much as I’d love to see Leicester City win the league, I still can’t convince myself that they will. They have too many tricky away days for my money.
Trips to Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea are bound to cause a few wobbles on their road to Premier League glory.
And City, despite recently losing the outstanding Kevin De Bruyne to injury, have so much quality in their squad.
In terms of the fixture run-in, City have the luxury of taking on all of their fellow title contenders at the Etihad. Sergio Aguero has looked as sharp as a tack in recent weeks. And when he’s in that kind of form, he looks unstoppable.
LEICESTER – 73 PTS
Feb 6th: Man City (a) – Loss; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) – Draw; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) – Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) – Draw; Mar 14th: Newcastle – Draw (h); Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) – Win; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) – Win; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) – Draw; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) – Draw; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) – Draw; May 7th: Everton (a) – Win; May 15th: Chelsea (a) – Draw.
MAN CITY – 76 PTS
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) – Win; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) – Win; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) – Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Draw; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) – Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) – Draw; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) – Loss; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) – Draw; May 7th: Arsenal (h) – Draw; May 15th: Swansea (a) – Win.
ARSENAL – 69 PTS
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) – Draw; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) – Draw; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) – Loss; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) – Draw; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) – Win; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) – Loss; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) – Win; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) – Draw; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) – Win; May 7th: Man City (a) – Draw; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) – Win.
TOTTENHAM – 70 PTS
Feb 6th: Watford (h) – Win; Feb 14th: Man City (a) – Loss; Feb 28th: Swansea (h) – Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) – Draw; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) – Draw; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) – Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h) – Win; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Draw; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) – Lose; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) – Win; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) – Loss; May 7th: Southampton (a) – Win; May 15th: Newcastle (a) – Draw.
Ben Blake
When I set about writing this piece, it was my intention to put my money behind Tottenham as I have already tipped them to win the title in another article on this site. However, after doing the maths I’ve ended up with Spurs’ arch rivals Arsenal tied alongside Manchester City on 74 points at the top of the table with Leicester City a further two back in third and Mauricio Pochettino’s men filling the final Champions League spot.
Interestingly, 74 points would be a new record for the lowest points tally to win the Premier League — one less than the 75 Manchester United accumulated in the 1996/97 season.
MAN CITY – 74 points
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) Draw; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) Draw; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) – Win; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) – Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) – Defeat; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) – Win; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) – Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) – Defeat; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) – Draw; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) Win; May 7th: Arsenal (h) – Defeat; May 15th: Swansea (a) – Win.
ARSENAL – 74 points
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) Win; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) Defeat; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) Defeat; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) – Win; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) – Draw; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) – Draw; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) – Win; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) – Defeat; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) – Win; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) – Win; May 7th: Man City (a) – Win; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) – Win.
LEICESTER – 72 points
Feb 6th: Man City (a) – Draw; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) – Win; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) – Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) Draw; Mar 14th: Newcastle (h) – Win; Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) – Defeat; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) – Win; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) – Draw; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) – Draw; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) – Draw; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) - Draw; May 7th: Everton (a) – Win; May 15th: Chelsea (a) – Defeat.
TOTTENHAM – 71 points
Feb 6th: Watford (h) – Win; Feb 14th: Man City (a) – Draw; Feb 28th: Swansea (h)- Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) – Draw; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) – Defeat; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) – Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h)- Draw; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) Win; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) Draw; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) Draw; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) Defeat; May 7th: Southampton (a) Win; May 15th: Newcastle (a) – Win.
Ryan Bailey
Where do you even start? It’s been one of the most unpredictable Premier League seasons in years but it’s difficult to look past Manchester City for the title.
Like the other contenders, they too have shortcomings but are beginning to click into gear just at the right time. Leicester have been written off time and time again but they have a tough run-in and you’d expect them to fall short.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham are well-positioned too and the former are poised to make more of a challenge but their defensive vulnerability is still an Achilles heel and you’d have to wonder whether they have the backbone to deal with the pressure.
LEICESTER – 74 points
Feb 6th: Man City (a) - Lose; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) - Lose ; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) - Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) - Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) - Draw; Mar 14th: Newcastle (h) - Win; Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) - Draw; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) - Win; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) - Win; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) - Win; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) - Win; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) -Lose; May 7th: Everton (h) - Draw; May 15th: Chelsea (a) - Lose.
MAN CITY – 79 points
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) - Win; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) - Win; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) - Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) - Lose; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) - Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) - Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) - Win; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) - Win; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) - Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) - Lose; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) - Win; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) -Draw; May 7th: Arsenal (h) - Draw; May 15th: Swansea (a) - Win.
ARSENAL – 76 points
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) - Win; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) - Win; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) - Draw; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) - Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) - Lose; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) -Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) - Draw; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) - Win; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) - Draw; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) - Win; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) -Win; May 7th: Man City (a) - Draw; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) - Win.
TOTTENHAM – 70 points
Feb 6th: Watford (h) - Win; Feb 14th: Man City (a) - Lose; Feb 28th: Swansea (h) - Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) Draw ; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) - Win; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) - Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h) - Win; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) - Lose; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) - Draw; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) - Lose; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) - Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) - Win; May 7th: Southampton (a) - Draw; May 15th: Newcastle (a) - Draw.
Paul Fennessy
Of all the realistic title contenders, Man City are the only side that have several players who know what it feels like to win the Premier League and this experience will be crucial in the run-in. Granted, Manuel Pellegrini’s team have been inconsistent this season, but when the pressure is on and the games start to really matter, expect the likes of Joe Hart and David Silva to come good. That said, the fitness of Sergio Aguero, in particular, will be vital.
Tottenham and Leicester both remind me of Liverpool from a few seasons ago — honest, hard-working sides bolstered immeasurably by the presence of two or three exceptional players. Unfortunately from their perspective, I don’t think they quite have the required ruthlessness and strength in depth to last the distance. Similarly, Arsenal’s improvement this year has been exaggerated, and you get the feeling the old familiar flaws — lack of leadership and defensive vulnerability against the top teams — continue to exist. I’d therefore doubt whether they have the stomach for the fight ultimately.
LEICESTER – 77 points
Feb 6th: Man City (a) - Lose; Feb 14th: Arsenal (a) - Lose; Feb 27th: Norwich (h) - Win; Mar 1st: West Brom (h) - Win; Mar 5th: Watford (a) - Draw; Mar 14th: Newcastle (h) - Win; Mar 19th: Crystal Palace (a) - Draw; Apr 2nd: Southampton (h) - Win; Apr 9th: Sunderland (a) - Win; Apr 16th: West Ham (h) - Win; Apr 23rd: Swansea (h) - Win; Apr 30th: Man Utd (a) - Draw; May 7th: Everton (h) - Win; May 15th: Chelsea (a) - Lose.
MAN CITY – 83 points
Feb 6th: Leicester (h) - Win; Feb 14th: Tottenham (h) - Win; Feb 28th: Newcastle (a) - Win; Mar 2nd: Liverpool (a) - Draw; Mar 5th: Aston Villa (h) - Win; Mar 12th: Norwich (a) - Win; Mar 20th: Man United (h) - Win; Apr 2nd: Bournemouth (a) - Win; Apr 9th: West Brom (h) - Win; Apr 16th: Chelsea (a) - Draw; Apr 23rd: Stoke (h) - Draw; Apr 30th: Southampton (a) - Win; May 7th: Arsenal (h) - Win; May 15th: Swansea (a) - Win.
ARSENAL – 77 points (runners-up on goal difference)
Feb 7th: Bournemouth (a) - Win; Feb 14th: Leicester (h) - Win; Feb 28th: Man Utd (a) - Lose; Mar 2nd: Swansea (h) - Win; Mar 5th: Tottenham (a) - Draw; Mar 12th: West Brom (h) - Win; Mar 19th: Everton (a) - Win; Apr 2nd: Watford (h) - Win; Apr 9th: West Ham (a) - Draw; Apr 16th: Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Apr 23rd: Sunderland (a) - Win; Apr 30th: Norwich (h) - Win; May 7th: Man City (a) - Lose; May 15th: Aston Villa (h) - Win.
TOTTENHAM – 73 points
Feb 6th: Watford (h) - Win; Feb 14th: Man City (a) - Lose; Feb 28th: Swansea (h) - Win; Mar 2nd: West Ham (a) - Win; Mar 5th: Arsenal (h) - Draw; Mar 12th: Aston Villa (a) - Win; Mar 19th: Bournemouth (h) - Win; Apr 2nd: Liverpool (a) - Draw; Apr 9th: Man Utd (h) - Draw; Apr 16th: Stoke (a) - Draw; Apr 23rd: West Brom (h) - Win; Apr 30th: Chelsea (a) - Lose; May 7th: Southampton (a) - Win; May 15th: Newcastle (a) - Win.
