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Chelsea, who have looked invincible so far this season came up against their first real test on the weekend in the most expensive football match in history.
They travelled to Eastlands where many expected them to beat a Manchester City team who lost to West Brom in the mid-week Carling Cup game. However the City team played for a draw and managed to nick a goal to come out 1-0 winners in the game.
Although Chelsea twice lost to City last season, few expected it to happen again this season after the great run of form they were having and 21 goals from just five games. However Manchester City’s injury-ridden defence put in a disciplined display and showed that every team, no matter how good, can be beaten in the end.
Although Chelsea missed out on three points and an opportunity to go seven points clear at the top of the table before Manchester United played on Sunday, the loss wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Neither Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool or Spurs were able to win their games and capitalise on Chelsea’s slip-up, so the league leaders still have a three point advantage.
The question on a lot of people’s minds when looking at the current market price is: Can Manchester United challenge for the title this year. They have odds of 3.85 which look a great price if they can pull it off. United, like most years have yet to hit form this year. Dimitar Berbatov has finally got over his £30 million price tag and showed some consistent winning performances, but Wayne Rooney is yet to get into his stride this year and both Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves are big name players on the brink of return to the first team. All these things mean that United still have a lot of potential in them. They certainly have the desire, but can they do it this year with their aging squad?
The other two of the big four don’t seem to have any chance this year. Arsenal lost to newly promoted West Brom. They always pick up too many injuries during the season and without their big players they lack drive. Not to mention the mistakes Manuel Almuni is accumulating.
Liverpool have started this season much the same as last year. They seem to be a two man team at the moment and because of Fernando Torres’ current lack of form, they have only managed to rack up six points from six games so far. If they don’t manage to get some creativity into their team soon, “their” top four place in the league will be up for grabs again. The favourites for this are Manchester City (1.48) and Tottenham (4.7). The Tottenham bet looks a great one considering their depth of squad and the fact that they managed it last year.
