Chelsea can take another massive step towards securing the 2014-15 Premier League title in Week 34 when they travel to the Emirates to take on second-placed Arsenal on Sunday.
A win would give the Blues a 13-point lead over the Gunners with just five matches left to be played, but even if Jose Mourinho's troops lose on Sunday, the title should be in the bag.
As shared by Sky Sports, Chelsea have every reason to believe they'll leave north London with at least a point:
Elsewhere, Manchester City host in-form Aston Villa, who are riding a wave of momentum after knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup, while Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur will meet in a clash that will likely decide who enters next year's Europa League.
Here's the full schedule for Week 34, complete with picks:
The current Premier League standings:
The Debate Surrounding “Parking The Bus” Will Be Alive And Well
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal took a shot at Mourinho and his tactics in a classic interview after Chelsea's 1-0 win over the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge. For your enjoyment, courtesy of BBC Sport:
United dominated possession, while Chelsea came out with a very defensive mindset, and a single goal ultimately made the difference. Some will call it smart, results-based football; others will express their disgust at the future English champions playing in such fashion at home.
But whether you're a fan of Mourinho's tactics or not, prepare for another round of debate after next week. As things stand, the Blues will enter the match without a single available striker, via ITV Football:
The Gunners haven't lost a match since February and come into this one as arguably the most in-form team in the country. And while the race for the title appears to be over, a win on Sunday will reduce the gap at the top of the standings to seven points―hardly a gaping chasm.
Despite the gap, the pressure is on Chelsea to survive these final few weeks. An early injury crisis all but ended Arsenal's title hopes, and their recent march through the standings won't be tarnished by a poor result against the Blues.
The likes of Cesc Fabregas are eager to perform, via ESPN.co.uk, but the Spaniard in particular won't have a good time visiting the Emirates in a Chelsea shirt:
Combine all of these factors, and it seems almost inevitable that Mourinho will instruct his players to do what they do best: defend, counter and be happy with a draw. With the title potentially on the line, it's a smart move, but it won't be a popular one. Monday's headlines should be fun, at the very least.
Saturday's Euro Clash Meets New Rules
Up until last season, Aston Villa's win over Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final would have seen the club qualify for the Europa League, with Arsenal all but guaranteed to be playing in one of the major European competitions as well.
But as explained by the London Evening Standard, a change in the rules this season means the final Europa League ticket reverts back to the Premier League should Villa lose to the Gunners at Wembley, adding yet another wrinkle to Saturday's clash between Southampton and Tottenham:
Neither team has been in sensational form, but with so much on the line and the return of Mauricio Pochettino to St Mary's, form may not be a decisive factor. This is the kind of make-or-break match comparable to a huge derby, and those are usually decided by sheer star quality rather than which team is playing better football coming into the match.
With Tim Sherwood―another man with strong ties to Saturday's match―patiently waiting for the FA Cup final, neither Spurs nor Saints know exactly what to make of their current spots in the standings. The top six are guaranteed a European slot for next season, but whichever team finishes seventh will have to wait until the FA Cup final is played.
Providing both teams are desperate to play in Europe next season―Bleacher Report's Daniel Tiluk wonders if that's still the case―expect a wide-open, attacking display, with both Spurs and Saints desperate to avoid finishing in seventh place.
//from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1Hov7eG
via IFTTT April 20, 2015 at 08:52AM
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