5 points clear with 7 matches to play, Race for a European place is hotting up:

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is surprised that his side are 5 points clear of 2nd placed rivlas City.

After Monday night's 2-0 late win against Blackburn with goals from Valencia and Young.



Midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia celebrates breaking the deadlock for United against Blackburn in the 82nd minute.



Winger Ashley Young hits the ball past the Blackburn defence to double the lead, 2-0.

5 points ahead of City: Young celebrates his goal against Blackburn.

But to be honest, we knew that they would have the advantage ever since:

Tuesday 31st of January, when they lost 1-0 to Everton away from home.

Manchester United on the other hand, beat Stoke at home 2-0.

On Sunday the 11th of March, City lost 1-0 to Swansea away from home thanks to Luke Moore's header in the 83rd minute.

Meanwhile, Manchester United beat West Brom 2-0 at home.

On Saturday the 24th of March, City drew 1-1 with Stoke City at home after Peter Crouch's screamer was over-ruled by Yaya Toure's fierce 25-yard shot.


And on the other side of Manchester on Monday,
Fulham were beaten 1-0 away from home against United.


Why City CAN win the title:
They are unbeaten in the League at home.
They have deadly strikers


Why City CANNOT win the title:
They have not got any experience, and have not won the League since 1968.
Their away form has been dodgy this season.
The players are all having bust-ups with each other and fights.
Mario Balotelli and Nigel De Jong at the forefront.


Why United CAN win the title:
They have lots of experience, with 71 EPL winner's medals between the whole squad.
They have top-class strikers in Berbatov, Welbeck, Rooney and Hernandez.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has the knowledge to win it, having won it 12 times and being involved in the last 20.


Why United CANNOT win the title:
They are without key defender and captain Nemanja Vidic who bolsters the defence every time he is on the pitch.
Their form has been unpredictable, with losses against Newcastle (3-0), Blackburn (3-2) and a 6-1 thrashing from rivals City.

Race for a European place:

Liverpool have already sealed a place in the Europa Lerague, after their recent success in the Carling Cup.

Chelsea are the only English club still in the Champions League, facing Barcelona in the semi-final, while North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting for 4th place..

Current EPL positions:

3rd: Arsenal with 58 points

4th: Tottenham with 58 points

5th: Chelsea with 53 points

6th: Newcastle with 53 points

8th: Liverpool with 42 points

As you can tell by the EPL table positions, it is very tight between 3 and 6th (with only 5 points between Champions and Europa League)

Liverpool will want to move as high up in the table as possible (as top 4 is not possible anymore, and they already have qualified for EL)

Newcastle are in great form having won 15 matches so far this season, losing only 8 (with most coming from top 4 sides)

FACT: Newcastle could leapfrog Chelsea into 5th place with a win today against Swansea City.

Arsenal have won 7 out of their last 8 EPL matches, and face Manchester City on Sunday in a crunch match for a top 4 spot.

FACT: Arsenal have not failed to qualify for the Champions League since the 1997-98 season.

Tottenham won their 1st match in 6 against Swansea (3-1) last weekend, and are back and ready to fight for a Champions League place next season.

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