In the first few days of 2022, there was no Premier League title race to speak of. Last season’s champions Manchester City were running away with the league, leaving Liverpool, Chelsea and the others choking in their dust. It was set up to be a waltz to the finish line for the Citizens with fans already focusing on their team’s bid to go one better than last year’s effort and win the Champions League. Things often move quickly in football and that has been true of the last few weeks with the league table taking on a new look. A much more competitive look than most followers expected.
Pep Guardiola’s side appears to have lost their way and a drop in form left the door open for challengers to slip back into the running. Liverpool didn’t need to be asked twice and their remarkable recent form allowed them to punish the sloppiness of the leaders and pile on the pressure. The reds are now within touching distance of the top spot and are showing no signs of letting their opponents off the hook. But can Liverpool continue to track Man City then overtake them on the run in and win back the Premier League trophy?
Traders at major online betting app my bookie have had their say on how they expect to see the season play out and are offering updated odds on the Premier League champion. The oddsmakers are monitoring every result, fixture and breaking injury news, altering the betting odds to reflect the competitive nature of the last few weeks of the campaign.
Man City Remain Top Despite a Stumble
Manchester City crossed the finish line to become champions last season almost without a challenge from the others with the previous year’s winners, Liverpool, nowhere to be seen. The reds looked rather fortunate to make it into the top four at the conclusion of the previous campaign and qualify for this term’s UEFA Champions League. It looked like we could see a repeat performance 12 months on but this year looks set to be more competitive after Klopp’s team finally found the consistency needed to challenge.
With 26 games played, Man City sit in pole position with 63 points on the board. Their stats stand at 20 wins, three draws and three defeats with 63 goals scored and 17 conceded. Despite setting the standard, Man City have won only three of their last five games in the league and half of their last four. That wobble shows two wins, a draw and a defeat. The loss was inflicted by struggling Tottenham with the London club snatching a surprise 3-2 win on Saturday 19th February.
Liverpool Close The Gap
While followers of Manchester City were becoming restless, those loyal to the Liverpool cause were growing in confidence. The challengers are on a long winning run that has seen them collect maximum points in their last five league games, turning up the heat on the one team positioned above them in the table. A total of 15 points from the last 15 on the table has allowed them to close the gap on Man City to just six points with Liverpool having a game in hand. Win the spare and the difference would move to just three points.
They have some important fixtures coming up with Liverpool scheduled to play Arsenal in London before hosting Man United at Anfield in their final match of February. Two tough games but two opponents Klopp will be confident his men can defeat and keep the pressure on. Moving forward, Liverpool play Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 9 April from 15:00 although it’s likely that potential title decider could be moved to either later in the day or on Sunday for TV.
That’s the match everyone wants to see as the two best teams in the league go head to head at one of the most famous stadiums in Europe. There’s still plenty of football to be played between then and now but there’s no denying this Liverpool team has the wind in its sails and Man City are beginning to look nervous.
