'The only thing that is constant is change.'- Heraclitus
This is and has been a contentious quote due to the relatively ambiguous nature. Contentious for everyone but the underdogs in England! At the beginning of the current season, the favorites for the trophy were the regulars and the recently made regulars; The Gunners felt this was their year, The Blues were ready to mount a successful title defense, United, a title charge under the 'Dutch Master' and City's attempt to return to the top. The relegation battle seemed fixed with the new entrants being touted for an immediate return while the regular underachievers were expected to scrap for the other European spots as well as against relegation.
Fast forward some 34 weeks and its a whole different story. Different at the top and everywhere else on the table. The magic and beauty of football on these months has confused and amazed all fans alike and the end is almost at hand. Not the Armageddon, but this amazing display of determination, inspiration the comical and at times unamusing antics of some individuals has made this one of the memorable seasons till date.
With less than two months to go, its far from complete with only one certainty; the relegation of Aston Villa for the first time in their history. The title is close to being decided. The battle for European places are is still ongoing and the last two relegation spots still up for grabs. Leicester's inspirational and magical run for the trophy is still intact but they face potential banana skins in the form of opponents fighting against relegation (Swansea (H)) and Manchester United (away) who still have slim chances of making it into the Champions League via the play off round. Tottenham's refusal to give up on winning the title may face setbacks with relatively tough games against Stoke, West Brom, Chelsea, Southampton and Newcastle. Games against teams fighting for European places and another fighting against relegation. A significantly difficult run in for the challengers but certainly possible if Leicester slip up.
Manchester City on the other hand have more games than their title rivals and an outside chance of winning the league with their Champions League duties, it will be safe to say that they will switch focus towards that. Games will be relatively easier for the opposition. Arsenal on the other hand or on hand to receive the Flops Of The Season as they moved from title challengers to their traditional fourth place position (One Of the few constants left in the world) and this being their only chance to win the league might lead to Wenger being given the boot out of the Emirates. With tough games against fellow top four strugglers and those against the relegation battlers should have them looking over their shoulders as United edge ever closer.
Moving to the bottom of the league, there are two relegation slots but three contenders. Newcastle are the closest to Aston Villa but three points from safety with a game in hand over Norwich. Games against City, Liverpool and Tottenham are not where you would expect them to get their points from but Crystal Palace and West Brom should give the Magpies some hope of lining up next season in the Premiership. Sunderland's topsy-turvy season at the base of the table shows no signs of abating as they face the toughest run in during the relegation dogfight albeit with a game in hand. They have to face Arsenal (H), Stoke (A), Chelsea and Everton (both H) and Watford (A). Norwich may be out of the relegation zone but still stand a risk of being relegated with a tricky four game against Arsenal(A), United(H), Watford (H) and Everton (A). With Villa already relegated, games against them are a must win for all sides that play them to boost their chances of survival.
The race may be far from over and the next three to six weeks should provide us with some of the most dramatic and exciting match-ups in recent times and the impending drama and excitement will serve all football fans and lovers a notice on why the Premiership is the most competitive and exciting league in the world.
