By Azeez Said
The EPL this season, has gone from the most competitive to the most unpredictable in history. From The downfall of Manchester United to Arsenal toppling the table for a long time to Liverpool being at the summit of the table during Christmas and the list goes on. The last time Santa last granted Liverpool's wish to be at the top of the EPL table during Christmas, he forgot to grant them their wish to be there at the end of the season (Liverpool fans would be hoping he doesn't forget this time).
It is largely believed in the EPL that whichever team that tops the League by Christmas will eventually finish the season as Champions. The last time that the team topping at Christmas in the past 5 seasons didn't win the league at the end of the season was in the 08/09 season where Liverpool surrendered a 7 points lead by Christmas to Manchester united who won the league 4 points ahead of them.
December 25th End of the season
Pos Teams Points Season Pos Teams Points Season
1 Man U 43 12/13 1 Man U 89 12/13
2 Man C 39 2 Man C 78
3 Chelsea 32 3 Chelsea 75
4 Arsenal 4 Arsenal 73
1 Man C 44 11/12 1 Man C 89 11/12
2 Man U 42 2 Man U 89
3 Tottenham 35 3 Arsenal 70
4 Chelsea 33 4 Tottenham 69
1 Man U 34 10/11 1 Man U 80 10/11
2 Arsenal 32 2 Chelsea 71
3 Man C 32 3 Man C 71
4 Chelsea 31 4 Arsenal 68
1 Chelsea 41 09/10 1 Chelsea 86 09/10
2 Man U 37 2 Man U 85
3 Arsenal 35 3 Arsenal 75
4 Aston Villa 35 4 Tottenham 70
1 Liverpool 39 08/09 1 Man U 90 08/09
2 Chelsea 38 2 Liverpool 86
3 Aston Villa 34 3 Chelsea 83
4 Man U 32 4 Arsenal 72
The table above has shown us that 4 out of 5 teams that have topped the table at Christmas have gone on to win the league. Secondly, it shows us that the top 4 hierarchy is not decided in December (the only exception being in the 12/13 season) so teams like Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton could still break in.
It is left to be seen if Liverpool would hold their own to win their first EPL title or if Manchester United can force their way into the top 4 like Arsenal have done twice in the past 5 years come the end of the season.
Another interesting part of the table during the Christmas period is the relegation zone. In the past 5 seasons, teams that have occupied the 20th position during Christmas have been relegated which means 'you know who' could relegate come the end of this season.
December 25th End of the season
Pos Teams Points Season Pos Teams Points Season
18 Wigan 15 12/13 18 Wigan 36 12/13
19 QPR 10 19 Reading 28 20 Reading 9 20 QPR 25
18 Wigan 14 11/12 18 Bolton 36 11/12
19 Bolton 12 19 Blackburn 31
20 Blackburn 10 20 Wolves 25
18 Wigan 16 10/11 18 Birmingham 39 10/11
19 Wolves 15 19 Blackpool 39
20 West Ham 13 20 West Ham 33
18 Bolton 16 09/10 18 Burnley 30 09/10
19 West Ham 15 19 Hull City 30
20 Portsmouth 14 20 Portsmouth 19
18 Man City 18 08/09 18 Newcastle 34 08/09
19 Blackburn 16 19 Middlesbrough 32
20 West Brom 15 20 West Brom 32
From the above table, all teams in the past 5 seasons that have been at the bottom of the table have been relegated at the end of the season, 53.3% of the teams that have occupied the bottom 3 at Christmas have been relegated and 46.7% of the teams that have occupied the bottom 3 at Christmas have avoided relegation.
In the most unpredictable of seasons, you can expect the unexpected to happen like Everton or Manchester United coming to win the league or Sunderland making the top half of the table (I really doubt these) but it promises to be a very competitive and exciting season right to the very end.
Before leaving this Computer for the nearest carnival around, I will like to wish our beloved readers merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance.
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