Chelsea Keeps English Premier League Top Spot
After a shock defeat to Crystal Palace last Saturday saw Chelsea wobble at the top of the 2016-17 English Premier League ladder, the London side steadied the ship on Wednesday. A win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge gained the Fulham side three points, sending them seven points clear of perennial London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Palace surprised the Blues last Saturday, overpowering them at home 2-1 to leave Chelsea on 69 points. Spurs’ 2-0 win against Burnley put them on 62, and their fans were hoping they could close the gap even further by mid-week, if Chelsea faltered again on Wednesday.
Tottenham did what they had to in Wednesday’s match, beating Swansea City 3-1 in Wales. Sadly for Spurs supporters though, Chelsea wouldn’t cooperate, beating Man City 2-1 to restore the points deficit to seven between the top two teams on the ladder.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Sides Still Challenging
With seven weeks left in the EPL season, New Zealand betting enthusiasts will not only be trying to identify potential champions. The final order in which teams finish also determines which go through to the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League and Europa League group stages and play-offs, making the final jostling among the top teams between now and May 21 crucial.
In their final matches, Chelsea’s opponents include Sunderland, Middlesborough, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion; all currently in the bottom 12 on the log. With the Blues on 72 points and Spurs on 65, it will be tough for Tottenham to catch up. The same goes for Liverpool and Manchester City, currently third and fourth on the ladder with 60 and 58 respectively. Liverpool may yet fade from the top four, however, as they have already played one more match than the other three sides.
Arsenal and Manchester United, on the other hand, are a match behind Chelsea, Spurs and City. In joint fifth spot with 54 points each, they remain in contention and are sure to pile pressure on the leaders in the EPL’s final weeks.
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More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
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