Mid-Term Trophy Evaluation
All of a sudden we’ve hit November and we’re well into the 2014/15 footballing season. Ahead of the busy Christmas schedule, we look at the 4 main trophies, and the contenders for each.
PREMIER LEAGUE
After just over a quarter of the season played, the table is finally beginning to pan out as many would have expected (with one or two exceptions!). Chelsea have already got a 4 point lead at the top, and are the obvious favourites to be lifting the trophy come May. Whilst Man City are currently sitting in 3rd, they look to have overcome a sticky patch, and will be Jose Mourinho’s closest rivals in the race. Liverpool and Manchester United have not started well, and look to be aiming to get in the top 4 rather than winning the league. Arsenal are sitting nicely in 4th and are outsiders for the top spot.
LEAGUE CUP
The first major cup to be decided is already at the quarter-final stage and there is definitely the chance for an underdog to pick up this cup and make history. Chelsea look set to beat Derby but you wouldn’t bet on anything in this league. In-form Newcastle and Bournemouth face out-of-form Tottenham and Liverpool giving both of them a chance of making it to Wembley. However, the team to watch are Southampton, who have a fantastic chance of winning this trophy and making it into Europe.
FA CUP
The FA Cup is still in it’s early stages and therefore difficult to call in terms of who is favourites for the trophy. The third round gets underway in January and everybody will be looking to avoid Chelsea and Man City, whilst this is also a good opportunity for Louis Van Gaal to get his hands on his first piece of silverware for United. Teams with little to play for in the league such as West Ham and Swansea will also be interesting ones to watch.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
With just two more games to take place in the group stages, things are starting to shape-up nicely. Nobody seems to look past Real Madrid as they look a good bet to defend the title but Bayern Munich and Chelsea have come out really strongly in recent weeks and nobody will want to face them in the knockout stages. If you’re looking for an outsider with a strong chance, Dortmund have dominated group D and are definitely in with a shout for the trophy.