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The latest batch of games in the Premier League saw the top three sides all win. Liverpool eased past Bournemouth in a fairly one sided match at Anfield, running out 3-0 winners. It was a predictable result for Jurgen Klopp's team but also a very important one given The Reds recent slip ups, and has put the team back on track. Having said that, Manchester City looked the best they have ever looked under Pep Guardiola and destroyed Chelsea 6-0 at The Etihad. This is the same City side who were beaten by Maurizio Sarri's team just a few months ago at Stamford Bridge. City lead the league on goal difference to Liverpool and have played a game more, and they can be backed at 1.72 to retain their title.
City played football from the heavens in their victory over Chelsea and that man Sergio Aguero scored another hat-trick to equal Alan Shearer's all time best which stands at 11. Aguero is currently odds of 2.25 to finish as top goalscorer. The Argentinian has been installed as the bookies favourite just ahead of Mohamad Salah who is 2.50. Note both strikers currently are tied on 17 goals apiece.
Lively title outsiders
But while City and Liverpool did the business the Premier League simply refuses to be turned into a two horse race. Marching round that corner and keeping pace is Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham side. It feels as if the North Londoners have had the kitchen sink thrown at them this season and they just keep battling on. Stadium delays have caused frustration with fans, because whilst everyone loves Wembley Stadium, everyone loves Christmas but you don't want it every other week, right? The fans want their home back, it is a belonging and so evidently does Pochettino and the players.
At the weekend Tottenham were back at Wembley, a ground that can hold 90,000 spectators and yet for the game against the 2016 champions Leicester the stadium was only half full. The match finished 3-1 to the 'home' side and Tottenham are scoring goals despite having the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli out injured. Indeed the club have won all of their league games so far since the pair were ruled out and they have really ridden the storm as well as one could have imagined. Their latest victory pushed them onto the 60 point marker and they remain 5 points behind both Manchester City and Liverpool. Could Tottenham cause an upset with a winning run in the final straight? If you think they can they are great value at odds of 26.00 to do so.
Sarri favourite for the sack
Chelsea were really humiliated at Manchester City in losing 6-0 and there has been stories suggesting that Maurizio Sarri's job is on the line. While it is true that The Blues recent form has been poor this seems like a knee jerk reaction. Isn't this the same Chelsea team that went undefeated in the league for the first 3 months of the season? The same Chelsea team that has reached the knock out stages of the Europa League? The same Chelsea team that is in the top six, with a shot at the top 4? And, the same Chelsea team that is also in the Carabao Cup final? If Sarri's job is under threat then why isn't Unai Emery's at Arsenal? Of course neither man deserves to lose their job, this is their debut seasons with their respective clubs and their debut seasons in the Premier League - both deserve another season and a proper transfer window this summer. Still Sarri is the favourite manager to be the next to get the chop and can be backed at odds on of 1.80.
Emery still learning
Finally a word on the man himself Unai Emery. As we are now well into the season, how has the Spaniard faired in his first season with Arsenal? This was always going to be an important question given the circumstances of the club and how Arsene Wenger was able to stay for the past 22 seasons. Emery was unlucky in that his term started with two losses in a row given that The Gunners had to open up their Premier League account with a home match against the current champions Manchester City and then an away tie to the 2017 champions Chelsea. However, since then they went on a superb unbeaten run in all competitions that only ended in December.
Emery's high line caught out many opponents but at the same time it seems to have been found out now against the better teams- witness Liverpool's 5-1 demolition job or City's comfortable 3-1 win of late. Arsenal are hanging in there though, currently 5th and just a point behind Manchester United. The worry of course will be that Emery's team were 9 points in front of United in December and are now behind them, but this is still a learning curve for Emery. We must remember too that Arsenal are in the knock out stages of the Europa League. If the objective was to finish back in the top 4 after missing out the last couple of seasons then Arsenal are odds of 4.00 to do so. And to win the Europa League they have been installed as the 2nd favourites and can be backed at 7.00.
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