The Premier League title countdown has well and truly begun. With each passing game another obstacle can be ticked off the list. As long as Chelsea can match the results of their rivals each week then their dream of recapturing the top prize in of English football gets that little bit closer to becoming a reality
The Blues currently lead by six points from second-place Manchester City with Arsenal sitting a point behind them in third. With Chelsea retaining a game in hand over their fellow contenders the odds are stacked further in their favour. There's 27 points to play for over their eight remaining fixtures with City and Arsenal are only competing for an extra 24.
Nineteen points will guarantee that Chelsea will be crowned champions, equating to six wins and a draw or five wins and four draws. It means that in the first of those scenarios Chelsea could even afford to lose two matches between now and the end of the season and still end up top of the pile. Not a bad situation to be in.
Clearly, winning every game until the title is secured would be the optimal way of reaching the target without fraying the nerves of the supporters too much. However, given Chelsea's fluctuating form and the opponents still left for them to face, that possibility remains unlikely.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all await Jose Mourinho's men and all still harbour strong ambitions of finishing in the top four at least. None of those teams have beaten the Blues this season though all three are in better form than they were in Chelsea's previous meetings with them. While all three teams can be beaten, it is hardly a given that nine points will be taken from those games.
Other opponents include the relegation-threatened trio of QPR, Leicester and Sunderland along with Stoke, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, who are ensconced in mid-table safety. It is these games, starting with Stoke on Saturday, that need to be exploited to maximum advantage rather than having to rely on big results against the bigger-hitters.
Just as Chelsea are unlikely win all their games, the same is true of both City and Arsenal. If Chelsea's form has been a little up and down then Man City's has been completely erratic. Two of their last four league games have ended in defeat including defeat at lowly Burnley so nothing can be taken for granted as far as City are concerned. Like Chelsea, they too have a trio of tricky fixtures with a rejuvenated Manchester United, an enigmatic Tottenham and a durable Southampton all in their path. They will do very well to win all three of those games.
Out of the three teams vying for the title, Arsenal are in by far the best run of form with six consecutive wins in the Premier League to their name. They are, however, prone to self-destruction when chasing a prize as shown by their fateful 3-1 home defeat to unfancied Monaco in the Champions League.
Of the established elite, Arsenal still have to face Liverpool, Chelsea and United and it goes without saying that they will almost certainly have to beat the Blues at the Emirates on April 26 to have any chance of winning the league. If Chelsea were to win that match then it is reasonable to think that Arsene Wenger's side will be out of the running while a draw would simply maintain the status quo and therefore do nothing to enhance Arsenal's position.
Looking at what lies in store for each of the three sides it looks like a fait accompli as far as Chelsea are concerned and in any other campaign it almost certainly would be. But this hasn't been a normal season.
From looking like genuine contenders to win their second European Cup as the autumn progressed, Chelsea have seen their frailties preyed upon and their underbelly exposed. The football is not as fluid as it was and the victories are not being rattled off in the manner of their previous title wins. But still they remain unbeaten in the league since New Year's Day and still they keep their rivals at arm's length.
Mourinho was right when he commented recently that Chelsea should have the title wrapped up already considering the amount of points they have thrown away. The fact is that they probably have anyway due to the failings of those in the chasing pack.
Nothing is certain, however, and the Blues must approach each coming fixture with the utmost respect and concentration whomever the opposition. Strange things happen in sport which is why it is so compelling and the Chelsea team of 2014-15 do not want to be remembered in the same way as the infamous racehorse, Devon Loch.
Entering the home straight, Chelsea need to safely negotiate the obstacles in their way with professionalism and determination. The countdown has begun and each subsequent win will see time running out for City and Arsenal.
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