Premier League 
/ The Betfair Contrarian / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
The fact Frank Lampard has found top form is a huge boost for the Blues
"Manchester United are learning as Arsenal did in 2003-04 that the end of a lengthy unbeaten run is a big blow to recover from. They have lost three of their last five games, something that last happened seven years ago during their three-season stretch without winning the Premier League, the longest they have ever suffered. "
It looked an impossible dream a few weeks back but just as Manchester United have lost form, Chelsea have found plenty. Here's why the defending champions will be the new champions come May.
Manchester United and Arsenal's poor results last weekend have suddenly presented Chelsea with a ticket back into the title race, which on the evidence of their 3-1 win at Blackpool they will gleefully accept. The reigning champs are available to back at [9.8] and the Contrarian has found five reasons to fancy them - without even needing to mention the fact that surely Fernando Torres will start scoring soon...
It's an artificial nine-point gap
It would be a mistake to pay too much attention to the nine-point margin, as Chelsea have a game in hand at home to Birmingham and another clash with the [1.82] favourites Manchester United (who Carlo Ancelotti has never dropped a Premier League point against) to come. Therefore, it could theoretically be a three-point gap, with similar goal differences and the Red Devils still to visit Arsenal. So the champions' chances are far greater than odds of [9.8] suggest.
Chelsea are spectacularly strong in spring
While few would dispute that Chelsea are worse on the whole for the 2007 departure of two-time title-winning manager Jose Mourinho, their record in the closing weeks of the season has improved noticeably. Their tallies over the final eight matches of the last three campaigns have been the three highest of their Premier League history and their overall record in that stretch reads 20 victories, three draws and just one loss in 24 encounters. The fact they've had a different manager in each of those run-ins (Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti) shows that the strength of character in the Chelsea dressing room is a major reason behind their ability to finish strongly, and last year's effort was particularly incredible as not only did they win seven of their final eight, they scored 33 goals, while conceding just four, so there's no danger of them cracking under the pressure.
Lampard has made and will make a difference
He's taken a while to hit top form and arguably still isn't quite there, but one of the main factors in Chelsea escaping their winter slump has been the return of Frank Lampard, who has fired eight goals in his last ten appearances. The England midfielder has the proud record of having hit 20-plus in each of the last five seasons, which he'll try and extend. And while his lengthy injury absence makes that a tough task, it's not impossible given the number of goals Chelsea are capable of scoring when at their best. Last year, he struck ten times in the Premier League from mid-March onwards.
Their rivals are faltering
Manchester United are learning as Arsenal did in 2003-04 that the end of a lengthy unbeaten run is a big blow to recover from. They have lost three of their last five games, something that last happened seven years ago during their three-season stretch without winning the Premier League, the longest they have ever suffered. Arsenal are yet to lose in the league in 2011 and are in similar form to Chelsea with five triumphs in seven, but whereas the Blues' stumbles have come in understandable circumstances - facing a Liverpool side fired up by the sale of Fernando Torres - and in a derby at improving Fulham, Arsenal's have been less excusable. Setbacks occurred against Newcastle and Sunderland in matches with no great pressure attached and illustrated their inexperience in this environment.
Chelsea have the most favourable run-in
As shown above, Chelsea are masters at keeping cool as the tension rises and they'll be more confident of doing so than ever, with six of their remaining ten fixtures at home, compared to five in nine for Manchester United and four in ten for Arsenal, especially as they were solid at Stamford Bridge even while struggling. Their final four away outings meanwhile take place at three grounds they won at last time out and another where they drew, indicating ten points from 12 as a realistic target.
It looked an impossible dream a few weeks back but just as Manchester United have lost form, Chelsea have found plenty. Here's why the defending champions will be the new champions come May....
Which footballer is the biggest diver in the country? Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch looks at the statistics and finds that it's unlikely to be Manchester United's Nani, despite his reputation....
We're going through one of the busiest periods of the season and the likes of Gerrard Houllier and Arsene Wenger have to manage their resources rather than picking their best team for every match. Ralph Ellis considers the consequences of...
No comments:
Post a Comment