Open season brings Test of staying power for all in Premier League
James Ducker asks who has mental toughness and strength in depth to emerge triumphant from Premier League's early season congestion zone
James Ducker asks who has mental toughness and strength in depth to emerge triumphant from Premier League's early season congestion zone
THE only predictable thing about the Barclays Premier League title race so far has been its unpredictability.
Some may bemoan the falling standards of the established elite, others will relish the thrills, spills, shocks and surprises and hope it remains the most open contest for the championship in recent memory.
With almost a third of the campaign gone and only six points separating the top eight teams, The Times assesses the credentials of the would-be challengers and wonders if this may be season that bucks the recent trend of one and two-horse races.
ARSENAL
Reasons to be cheerful
For once, it is not Arsenal who are doing the chasing and their tendency to come on strongly during the second half of the season must encourage Arsene Wenger as much as the versatility of a midfield that has made light of injuries to Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby.
Reasons to be fearful
It speaks volumes for Wenger's lack of options up front that an injury to Olivier Giroud could be disastrous. The fixture list has been favourable so far but can we be sure this squad has the toughness to see it out? Wenger accused them of stage fright at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Title prospects
Better than they have been for a long time and will be improved no end if Wenger can sign a world-class striker in January.
Next five matches
Southampton (h), Cardiff City (a), Hull City (h), Everton (h), Manchester City (a).
Odds
10/3 (all odds with Ladbrokes)
LIVERPOOL
Reasons to be cheerful
Most obviously, the 18 goals scored by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge this season but Simon Mignolet has also impressed in goal, the midfield is strong and the club are unified again.
Reasons to be fearful
An injury to Suarez would be a huge blow and the question is whether a relatively newly assembled squad with questions over its depth possess sufficient staying power.
Title prospects
By the end of December, Liverpool will have played nine games fewer than Tottenham, eight less than Arsenal and Chelsea and seven fewer than Manchester United. They won't be able to cite fatigue as a factor if they fall short.
Next five matches
Everton (a), Hull City (a), Norwich City (h), West Ham United (h), Tottenham Hotspur (a).
Odds
7 /1
SOUTHAMPTON
Reasons to be cheerful
A nucleus of talented English players has been perfectly augmented by the arrivals of Dejan Lovren, Victor Wanyama and Dani Osvaldo in the summer. Southampton boast the best defensive record in the league and opponents have yet to find a way of combating Mauricio Pochettino's pressing game.
Reasons to be fearful
Goals haven't been easy to come by, and a forbidding run of matches to come will offer a serious test of their credentials.
Title prospects
Southampton will not win the league, and even a top-four finish is likely to be beyond them, but they have already won plenty of admirers.
Next five matches
Arsenal (a), Chelsea (a), Aston Villa (h), Manchester City (h), Newcastle United (a)
Odds
250/1
CHELSEA
Reasons to be cheerful
No team in the league could be considered to be very strong in every department but Jose Mourinho has probably the most balanced squad of the lot.
Reasons to be fearful
Perhaps Chelsea's biggest strength is also their biggest weakness in that Mourinho has so many creative options he is unsure of his best team. Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o are moving in the right direction but a top-class striker is still required.
Title prospects
Mourinho's record of serial success should ensure Chelsea are firmly in the mix come May.
Next five matches
West Ham United (a), Southampton (h), Sunderland (a), Stoke City (a), Crystal Palace (h)
Odds
11/4 (joint favourites)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Reasons to be cheerful
The form and goals of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie first and foremost. David De Gea has been excellent in goal and Adnan Januzaj is a star in the making.
Reasons to be fearful
The "Fergie factor" has gone and the midfield is a serious concern. Januzaj aside, the options out wide are limited given the poor form of Nani and Ashley Young and Shinji Kagawa's unease on the flanks. Moyes's natural caution has been inhibitive at times.
Title prospects
If they can get to New Year in or around the top, their fixture list from then on is extremely inviting. January should also yield new arrivals.
Next five matches
Cardiff City (a), Tottenham Hotspur (a), Everton (h), Newcastle United (h), Aston Villa (a)
Odds
5/1
EVERTON
Reasons to be cheerful
Unbeaten at Goodison Park in the league in 2013 and free of European distractions. Romelu Lukaku has given them a greater goal threat and Gareth Barry and James McCarthy balance to the midfield. There is still money to spend in January from Marouane Fellaini's pounds 27.5?million sale to Manchester United.
Reasons to be fearful
Their lack of strength in depth may tell at some point and the adaptation to Roberto Martinez's way of playing will not be without its hiccups.
Title prospects
Even if Martinez is able to keep all his key players fit, the manager does not have the same scope to rotate as some of his rivals and fatigue could take its toll.
Next five matches
Liverpool (h), Stoke City (h), Manchester United (a), Arsenal (a), Fulham (h)
Odds 200/1
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Reasons to be cheerful
The defence has been excellent, only Manchester City have better possession statistics, and the more time their array of summer recruits have to bed in, the better Tottenham should get.
Reasons to be fearful
The departure of Gareth Bale, and with it a huge goal threat, is starting to tell. Tottenham have the worst conversion rate of any team in the top flight with just 5.7 per cent of their shots finding the net.
Title prospects
Fixture congestion and the lack of a frequent goal getter are likely to conspire against them.
Next five matches
Manchester City (a), Manchester United (h), Fulham (a), Sunderland (a), Liverpool (h)
Odds
25/1
MANCHESTER CITY
Reasons to be cheerful
They have demonstrated a capacity to blow away teams that few others have, hence their position as the division's top scorers, and boast a formidable home record.
Reasons to be fearful
The defence, primarily. The absence of Vincent Kompany has been incredibly damaging and Joe Hart's form has nosedived to the point where City are now playing a goalkeeper, Costel Pantilimon, with barely any experience of Premier League football.
Title prospects
Having already lost four times, the margin for error has reduced significantly, but it seems unthinkable that they will not put a winning streak together.
Next five matches
Tottenham Hotspur (h), Swansea (h), West Bromwich Albion (a), Southampton (a), Arsenal (h).
Odds
11/4 (joint fav)
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