The Premier League 2023/24 campaign is drawing to the business end of the season and it couldn’t be more exciting with drama to come at both ends of the table. While three sides are locked in a battle for supremacy at the summit, a host of sides are doing all they can to avoid the bottom three come the end of May.
As fans make Premier League predictions and assess odds and expert insight from pundits and players alike, this article will also weigh up the team’s chances of success and glory as the 20 clubs enter the final furlong after another incredible year of soccer.
The Title Race
Manchester City has lifted the Premier League trophy in five of the last six seasons and completed a historic treble last time out.
However, this campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side faces serious competition from not one but two clubs in the run-in with Liverpool, champions in 2020, and Arsenal both pushing hard at the top of the table.
The Reds are bidding farewell to iconic manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of the current campaign after the German admitted he is running out of energy in the Anfield hotseat. For that reason, Liverpool and fans on The Kop and beyond will be determined to give the boss a stunning send-off by clinching the title ahead of rivals City.
Arsenal, too, will have a major say and have a strong chance of winning the top-division title for the first time in two decades. The Gunners enjoyed a record-breaking Invincibles season in 2004, going the entire campaign without losing a game under the guidance of legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
While the club has struggled for such dominance in the years since, the team is back on track under current coach and former player Mikel Arteta and is playing with the confidence required to win the league under such constant pressure.
Top Four Spot up for Grabs
Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982 and are among English football royalty but the club has yet to feature in the Champions League since it was rebranded more than three decades ago. However, that could be about to change with Spanish coach Unai Emery steering Villa to a stunning season which has seen them in the top four for the vast majority of the campaign.
The Midlands club will be desperate to qualify for Europe’s stellar competition but Tottenham are breathing right down their necks. Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have coped with life after Harry Kane who joined Bayern Munich in the summer relatively well but will be eager to find more consistency during the remaining months of the campaign as they bid to leapfrog Villa and secure their place in the Champions League.
Manchester United, who have suffered three late goals which saw them drop a total of five points against Chelsea and Brentford at the end of March and the start of April, have it all to do if they are to catch Villa but even the most optimistic Red Devil may concede the gap is now too great at such a late stage of the season.
European Places to Play for
While United will likely miss out on the Champions League, they are in line for a place in the Europa League. West Ham, Newcastle, and Brighton are also in the hunt, and the team that secures the best run from now until the end of May should have a European tour to look forward to.
Chelsea, meanwhile, regulars in action on the continent, have endured another stuttering campaign but will hope a return to winning ways has come at the perfect time of the season as they make a late bid for Europe.
The Battle to Beat the Drop
Seven teams are currently scrapping at the bottom of the table as they all bid to avoid relegation to the Championship. What adds to the intrigue is the fact two clubs, Everton and Nottingham Forest, have been deducted points for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules. With the Toffees six points worse off and Forest with four fewer points than before, their fans will be desperate to see them pick up the wins required to finish above the dreaded dotted line.
As it stands Sheffield United look like they need a miracle to stay up with the Blades ten points adrift and stuck with a horrendous goal difference having conceded 80 goals in 3 matches. Burnley also faces a struggle as they need at least two wins and a draw to climb out.
Luton has impressed with how they have ground out results and the Hatters will be determined to spring a few surprises having started the season as favorites for relegation.
London clubs Brentford and Crystal Palace make up the rest of the group at the bottom. While the Bees and Eagles are 15th and 14th respectively as things stand, a bad run could see them sucked right into trouble.
Summing Up
The Premier League has produced a stunning season and fans are set for another dramatic climax to a campaign that has seen an array of exhilarating matches and stunning goals. At this stage of proceedings, every moment counts and clubs will be desperate to secure the victories required to achieve success at both ends of the table.
