Who will win the premier league?

With Chelsea's 6-0 demolishing of Arsenal, it's safe to say the league title is now between three sides. These are of course Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.  So who will win the league? Well, here are my thoughts. Let's look at the contenders. 

Chelsea

Chelsea are playing with confidence and look unstoppable. Quite rightly so. There performance against Arsenal was full of energy and tenacity. Chelsea's defence ranks as statistically the best in the league. Cahill and Terry both being on tremendous form this season. Perhaps Chelsea's weak spot is it's away form, ranking 6th in the premier league in the 'away table', with only seven wins in fifteen away games, including four defeats. However, with three away wins on the trot it's possible Chelsea have turned things around, including a valuable 1-0 victory at Manchester City.  Chelsea have also failed to produce much from their strikers, however, Mourinho's style never has been reliant on strikers. Mourinho could also be an influence. With the return of 'the special one' as a self proclaimed 'happy one', much of the clubs confidence, I'm sure, has come from the return of its hero. Mourinho is certainly a factor in Terry's return to form.  Chelsea are still in the Champions League and this could well become a distraction to the title challenge, as well as being a scene for more injuries and physical exhaustion. The squad though is strong in depth and I personally don't feel this should be a problem.

Liverpool

Without a doubt, the surprise entry to the title scene. Most fans, if asked at the beginning of the season, would have taken fourth spot and been more than happy. Anfield has very much missed Champions League football. Qualification would almost certainly keep Luis Suarez at the club and attract higher quality players. Qualification is essential to ensure Liverpool's growth both competitively and financially. The fact Liverpool are in contention with eight games to go, and with Champions League qualification all but mathematically guaranteed, the chance to win their first title since 1990 must fill kopites hearts with joy. Even if Liverpool fall short of the title it has still been a fantastic season. Can they win it though? Well, Liverpool are on a run at the moment, unbeaten in the league since a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in December. With Anfield being a fortress this season (only one defeat to Southampton.) and with Manchester City and Chelsea both to visit Anfield. A win against these sides at home, and, who knows?  With no other cup competitions as a distraction there is a chance.

Manchester City

Manchester City look a different club to last season. With internal problems, squabbling and lack of conviction on the pitch now all a far gone memory.  Roberto Mancini's departure, marked the end of an era of sorts, for the club. Mancini brought the club their first title since 1968, as well as an FA cup and Community Shield. Last season however they looked a different side and with very public 'bust ups' and poor performances (including consistently bad seasons in Europe) meant Mancini's time had come. Enter Pellegrini, and how City have changed. Finally reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League (Albeit knocked out by an unstoppable Barcelona) and looking deadly in the league with an attack only second to Liverpool in its strike rate. Their home stats have been the most successful of the season. Manchester City now sit six points behind Chelsea, but with three goals in hand on the leaders, City are very much still in with a shout. They do though have to get results in these games and with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool  all their next away fixtures, Manchester City could see themselves out of the race. City's away form see's them 5th in the 'away table'. These matches will prove crucial. 

Arsenal

Arsenal are now seven points behind table toppers Chelsea, and although with a game in hand, with eight games remaining I cannot see them catching up. Arsenal have consistently fallen short when playing the 'bigger sides' and fallen badly. the 6-0 defeat on Saturday, must have pained Arsenal fans more as the team repeated exactly the same mistakes it had made against Liverpool in February, a game which Arsenal lost 5-1. Poor marking, an inability to control of the ball and a tendency to give up as soon as they are a couple of goals down, are some of the mistakes repeated. The fact Arsenal are not learning from these mistakes, and the form of the other contenders, confirms my belief they are out of the title race which such little time left. 

Conclusion

I cannot see anyone but Chelsea winning the league. Their final run of fixtures favours heavily for them, seeing them face only one club in the current top ten (Liverpool) in their last seven games. Unless Europe proves too much for them a distraction and providing no key players get injured, it's Chelsea's title to lose. City should finish second, with no other competitions as a distraction and considering their dominant home form. Liverpool should finish third, comfortably and Arsenal fourth.