A lot can change in thirteen games. The title race will rightfully steal the headlines as the gap widens and closes between Arsenal and the rest. However, there are battles being fought all over the league on various fronts.
Whether it be European qualification, a top 10 finish, or survival, pretty much every team still has something left to play for.
Let’s dive into each team’s prospects and discuss what the rest of the Premier League season could have in store for them.
The relegation battle
Wolves have been firmly planted at the foot of the Premier League table for the entire campaign.
An abysmal showing has garnered just eight points in their 25 games so far, and their projected total of 12 would barely scrape past Derby’s infamous all-time low of 11 in the 07/08 season.
It is no surprise to learn that wagering on their relegation wouldn’t make you much, with some sites having odds as low as -10000 for them to end up in the Championship.
The rest of the relegation zone has a distinct claret and blue hue to it. Burnley’s 15 points and West Ham’s 23 are currently insufficient for safety, with odds to go down at -5000 and -150, respectively.
The Hammers’ promising form has them looking upwards. Three wins in their last four create a very real possibility of currently 17th Nottingham Forest being dragged into the bottom three, their cushion of three points looking increasingly small.
Newcomers Leeds United are next in line on 29 points, behind fallen giants Tottenham only on goal difference.
Leeds’ relegation odds are at +900, with Spurs at +1100, so it seems likely both will retain their spots among the elite.
‘Rivals’ Brighton and Crystal Palace occupy the next two spots. Both teams are in a somewhat of a freefall, with the Seagulls winless in five, capped off by a loss last time out to Palace.
Palace’s woes are compounding week on week, losing captain Marc Guehi to Man City, and news breaking that Oliver Glasner will leave at the end of the year.
Both teams are in danger of entering the relegation conversation, but eight and nine-point buffers will likely suffice.
The race for Europe
You could be forgiven for thinking that a team in 12th shouldn’t be in the conversation for getting into Europe.
But such is the nature of the UEFA Conference League that we will see seven European spots up for grabs again, and with only six points separating Newcastle from seventh-placed Brentford, the race is still on.
The Bees are +333 to make the top six, with Newcastle next at +1400 despite being five places lower.
Bournemouth, Fulham, Sunderland, and Everton are all enjoying fruitful seasons.
Sunderland have certainly made their mark on their return to the top flight. Touted by many to go down before a ball was kicked, the Black Cats find themselves just three points off the Conference League spot.
The bookies don’t fancy them at +3300 to make the top six, but they have built the foundations for another long stay in the league.
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The Champions League race
With the top three holding strong for a while now, the race for the Champions League has been unfolding between Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
With five places likely up for grabs this year, two of these three stand a huge chance.
United and Chelsea look the most dangerous, having each won their last four games.
Periods of uncertainty for both are a thing of the past, with Liam Rosenior and Michael Carrick dragging their respective new clubs back in the right direction.
The Red Devils’ total of 44 points sees them as favourites at -120 to make the top four, something no one could have imagined when Ruben Amorim’s nightmare tenure was coming to its conclusion.
Rosenior’s men are just a point behind, +120 for fourth, but currently doing enough for their UCL hopes.
Liverpool’s feeble title defense has shown no signs of picking up. Just one win from their last five league outings sees them at +140 for the top four.
The title fight
Despite a poor run of form forcing some dismissive comments about a title fight from Unai Emery, Aston Villa have maintained their position in third.
Delivering a title at this stage would take a Herculean effort, but mentioning a top-three team, nine points back, still isn’t wasted breath.
The truth is that the two horses that many expected to break clear have done so.
A six-point gap could have so easily been nine if it weren’t for Manchester City’s heroics against Liverpool on Sunday. Their statement 2-1 comeback win will surely have caught the Gunners’ attention, and, although still -450 to claim the prize, their history suggests there may be twists and turns to come yet.
Speaking of history, City have the advantage in that respect. Pep has delivered six titles to the club in his time, having snatched some of those away from frontrunners at the last minute.
Arsenal have been those frontrunners before, but this feels like the best chance they have had under Mikel Arteta.
At +450, it would be hard to rule City out, and they have the chance to narrow that gap to just three points when they host Fulham on Wednesday.
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