Liverpool have emerged as the dark horse in the race for the title. They are only four points off leaders Chelsea but have they got what it takes to beat the odds and go on to win the EPL crown?
Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIN Sports’ English Premier League coverage have their say:
Andy Gray: Since the Fulham game when Liverpool won 3-2 thanks to a late penalty from Steven Gerrard there has been real belief amongst the players that they can win the title but that comes with additional pressure and I think it has already started to show.
When they played Swansea last week I sensed for the first time this season that the growing expectation was making them a bit edgy. They won the game, which is obviously the most important thing, but I don’t think the players handled the additional pressure too well.
I still think Man City will win the title rather than Liverpool because they have more good players. They have a much better depth of squad and so can absorb injuries and they have players who have experience of winning the title.
It is vitally important to have players who know how to handle the run-in when it is close and I don’t think Liverpool have anyone apart from Kolo Toure who knows what it is like to win the Premier League.
Liverpool’s away form is not the best and they also concede a few too many goals. They look a bit vulnerable in their back four, Steven Gerrard is only just getting used to playing a more defensive role in midfield, an area where Liverpool must improve, they need to play together more as a team, and they need to do all that without sacrificing what has taken them to fourth and that’s the wonderful attacking ability they have in Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Brendan Rodgers’ team doesn’t need major surgery just a little tinkering with a few more signings in the summer which will make a shot at the title a little more realistic next season.
Southampton have done superbly well to be in ninth position which is where they will probably end their season. They are a good team to watch and will ask plenty of questions of Liverpool. I think there will be goals in what should be a very close game. 2-2.
Richard Keys: I know I have tipped Chelsea to win the title and I am sticking with that but I’m not going to rule out Liverpool because at this moment in time you have to say that they are in the mix and they can win the title.
However, I can’t remember the last time a team came from the pack behind the favourites to win the title. I think the last time was, coincidentally, Liverpool in the eighties.
In Premier League history the winners have always come from the group of teams who have been at the top or thereabouts for most of the season. So although the Liverpool players have a sniff of the title and quite clearly believe they can do it, I think it is too much of a big ask.
If you think about it, for Liverpool to win the title it is going to take three teams to collapse in spectacular fashion. Maybe City will get tied up with too many fixtures, maybe there will be another calamitous collapse from Arsenal, and even if those two implode Chelsea would also have to suffer an incredible slump, so it would be remarkable if Liverpool could pull it off.
Andy is right when he says the growing expectation at Liverpool is taking its toll on the players and I agree it showed against Swansea. They looked nervous for the first time and you cannot keep leaking goals and relying on scoring more than the opposition.
At some point that formula won’t work and funnily enough I think this weekend could prove me right. Liverpool’s biggest weakness is Kolo Toure, if they have to keep playing him and Martin Skrtel is looking vulnerable, particularly in dealing with set pieces.
Obviously, you wouldn’t expect Gerrard to show any nerves because of his experience but there are some young players in that team who might shrink because of a lack of experience in a final run-in.
In some ways their greatest strengths are their naïvety, youthfulness and self belief but at the same time all of those things can turn into their greatest weakness.
I actually think Southampton will win this one 2-1 and although it won’t take Liverpool out of the title race it will make it extremely difficult.
EVERTON v WEST HAM
AG: The Hammers have won four league games in a row and that’s difficult enough to do if you are a top six side. For a bottom six team, which is where they were when they started this run, it is really impressive.
So there will be belief in the West Ham side but I can’t see them winning five in a row. Everton have been a little off colour recently but they have a bit too much quality and home advantage will play is part in a 1-0 win.
RK: I don’t think it’s possible for West Ham’s run to continue particularly against Everton who are too good at home. Although they haven’t been as dominant as they were earlier in the season Everton will win this one 2-0.
STOKE v ARSENAL
AG: Many will have this down as a draw and I can see why. Stoke have taken some big scalps at home this season, Chelsea notably, and some might think their uncompromising style of play will be too tough for Arsenal to come away with a win.
I disagree. It will be a hard game for Arsenal but they have got their confidence back since being beaten by Bayern and with Olivier Giroud looking to be on top form I think they will win this 2-1.
RK: I think this will end in a 1-1 draw. Stoke have proved they can beat the best but they are also prone to letting themselves down. Arsenal, historically, have trouble winning at Stoke and although I agree that Giroud will be a big threat I can’t see them winning.
FULHAM v CHELSEA
AG: I think Fulham were a bit unlucky at West Brom last week when they probably deserved to win but Chelsea are going to have too much for them.
Jose Mourinho has an opportunity to put nine points between his side and Man City before they play another league game so that is a huge incentive. I think we’re looking at a 2-0 away win.
RK: Fulham are just not good enough to beat a team like Chelsea. As Andy says, Mourinho will want to put his foot down to pull away from City which is important and is just one reason why Chelsea will win this one 2-0.
HULL v NEWCASTLE
AG: Beating Villa last week probably saved Alan Pardew’s job. Having Loic Remy back made a difference but Hull will be hard to beat at home. In Nikica Jelovic and Shane Long, they have two front men who work their socks off, create and score chances so I am going for a 1-0 home win.
RK: Steve Bruce made some inspired signings in January in those two Andy mentions and it is paying dividends. Newcastle really toiled against Villa last week and I think their season has fallen apart. Hull are good at home. Yes, 1-0.
ASTON VILLA v NORWICH
AG: Nine defeats at home this season is a staggering statistic and it has got to the Villa players who have become inhibited. Only Fulham have lost more home games so Norwich will fancy getting something out of this, after they beat Tottenham last week. It will be a dire battle which I can see ending 1-1.
RK: Norwich did superbly well last week and when they get going they are a decent side. We all know Villa’s home record is pathetic which is why I going 1-0 Norwich.
SWANSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
AG: The disappointment of going out of the Europa League might affect the Swansea players and give Palace some hope, although their record away from home has been poor. It will be very close but I think Swansea will just nick it 2-1.
RK: Palace are now difficult to beat and have enough up front to grab the occasional goal but Swansea will be tough to beat at home and there has been a good reaction from their players since Gary Monk took over as manager. 1-1.
TOTTENHAM v CARDIFF
AG: Cardiff look doomed so this is a home banker for me. It is very difficult to motivate players who know they are heading for relegation. Tottenham will up for this after their excellent result in the Europa League on Thursday so I am going 3-0 home win.
RK: Tottenham have lost eight games this season and six have followed European games but I can’t see that happening against Cardiff who are a complete shambles. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who never should have taken the Cardiff job, looks like a rabbit caught in headlights and his team will get a good hiding at White Hart Lane. I reckon it will be at least 4-0.
