Little horse’, ‘squeaky bum time’ and ‘specialist in failure’. Sometimes, Premier League Manager press conferences throw up these incredible turns of phrase, which are remembered for years to come.
Whether the term ‘Rat Race’ will now become a key part of English footballing parlance remains to be seen, but Louis van Gaal’s assessment of the race for the remaining Champions League spots is looking more accurate every week.
After this week, it looks like two of the runners are on their last legs, after Tottenham’s crushing loss at Old Trafford and Southampton’s draw with Chelsea. The latter was, of course, a very credible result, but the Saints’ position means that wins are now the order of the day. As a result, the two sides now find themselves four points adrift of Van Gaal’s Manchester United. However, champions Manchester City’s loss to Burnley now means they are out of one race and into this one, whether they like it or not.
So, let’s have a look at the six teams left in the ‘Rat Race’ and which one will get the cheese in May:
Man City
What looked like being a strong title defence in January has since turned into a scramble to stay in the top four in March. However, a decent enough run in and a formidable squad – when in form – means they should have enough to hold on. However, with Arsenal breathing down their necks, they may yet slide one more place. I’m going to take a gamble with this one.
Prediction: 3rd
Arsenal
They’ve been here a few times, haven’t they? The Gunners are in great form in the Premier League and are playing some excellent football, now that their injury problems have eased. Their experience in the ‘Rate Race’ means that they should survive this time around. They also have a manageable enough run in and will always score goals. I think they will haul in Man City, and – at time of writing – they look set to be knocked out of the Champions League. That should free them up for the run in.
Prediction: 2nd
Man United
Honestly? I don’t even know with United any more. Slow, pedestrian and predictable for so much of 2015, they put in an excellent performance on Sunday to destroy Spurs. With players returning form injury, they may be able to put a run together and finish in the top four, but so much depends on this weekend’s match with Liverpool. Yes, we’re going to sit on the fence here…
Prediction: Avoid defeat against Liverpool: 4th Lose to Liverpool: 5th
Liverpool
And what can you say about Liverpool? Unbeaten in the league in 2015, suddenly immovable in defence, and inspired by a similar run last season, the Reds are absolutely flying. Less than three months ago, it took a late Martin Skrtel header to rescue a point against Arsenal and stay in 10th in the Premier League. Now they are surging towards not just the top four, but the top two. However, so much depends on that United game…
Prediction: Beat United: 4th Don’t beat United: 5th
Southampton
Everyone’s second team by now, right? The Saints are enjoying a miraculous season and, every time you think they will fall out of the race, they manage to cling on by their fingernails. A lack of experience suggest they will fall short this time, but if they can maintain their miserly defence, they could yet sneak into the Champions League, particularly as they now only have to play City from the top five. However, I think the hurricane is blowing itself out. Sorry, Saints fans
Prediction: 7th (sorry)
Tottenham
Spurs are probably even harder to predict than Man United. Just as they were putting results together, they put in arguably their worst performance of the season to lose 3-0 at Old Trafford in what was a massive game. Harry Kane continues to look a threat, but how long can he keep up his heroics? My guess is not much longer, and when he can’t, then what? Spurs maintain a strong team spirit and I fancy them to pip Southampton to sixth, but I can’t see them going any further than that.
Prediction: 6th
With nine games to go, there are still plenty more twists to come in this year’s rat race. But with many of the protagonists still to face each other, we predict an epic end to the season. Sunday the 24th May could yet see all six teams battling for three places. What a finish that would be!
And of course, you can catch what could be the crucial match in the race this weekend. Liverpool v Man United is live on NOW TV from 12.30pm - don't miss it!
