Quick Premier League title preview

With Manchester City's loss to Everton, the title race has grown ever closer with both Manchester clubs on equal points at the top and the Spurs 5 points behind.  Here is a preview of the top 7 teams, their chances, what they can hope for, where they'll likely end up and who they need to fire:

1.Manchester City (54 points)

Losing to Everton and Sunderland in the premier league since the christmas break and getting eliminated from both the FA cup and the Carling Cup, Manchester City have begun to look vulnerable for the only time this season (Napoli Champions League matches aside).  Though still playing great football, the finishing has not been there and the manager Mancini is beginning to look rattled.  Losing their captain and an up and coming star to suspensions as well as Africa's cup has not helped.  With Balotelli, Kompany and Yaya Toure the squad has a different look.  Yaya's strong presence through the midfield has especially been missed. With the firepower and strong squad at Manchester City's disposal however they're still in prime position for the championship.
What they can hope for: 1st, anything less would be a disappointment
Where they'll end up: 1st
Who they need to fire: Edin Dzeko-at times the goal machine has looked like taking the premier league by storm, but still needs to be more consistent and look to set up players more than finish it himself.

2.Manchester United (54 points)

Although at times the team from the Theatre of Dreams has looked a bit sketchy with their play, the ruthlesness displayed against the lower teams in the Premier League has at times been breathtaking.  Now sitting level on points with their noisy neighbours, the bringing of Scholes out of retirement looks less like an act of desperation for a troubled midfield than another stroke of genius from the master manager Sir Alex.  Will keep at City's heels, derby looks to be the decider for the championship more than likely.  Keeper troubles also slight concern, De Gea although sketchy has shown that he is a star of the future, but perhaps too soon?

What they can hope for: 1st, they've been here before many times

Where they'll end up: 2nd

Who they need to fire: Nani-the Portuguese midfielder's best is brilliant, worst is unwatchable. Bringing the two extremes closer together would help United's title bid no end

3. Tottenham Hotspurs (49 points)

Tottenham Hotspurs have been a slight surprise packet this season, but when you examine it it's not that surprising really.  Expert Leadership, decisions and recruitment by Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy and a squad full of some of the most exciting players in Europe (Bale, Modric, van der Vaart) with a entertaining game style means Tottenham have impressed many.  With the best midfield in the league, the squad has also been further strengthened with the opportunistic Adebayor and the decision to hold onto Modric has looked like a masterstroke.  Bale has also continued to improve, but Tottenham will not give him away cheaply.

What they can hope for: 1st, extremely unlikely and will rely on the Manchester clubs having a huge choke
Where they'll end up: 3rd
Who they need to fire: Defoe-Although aging the England international has still got it, the missed opportunity against Manchester City will haunt him though.

4.Chelsea (42 points)

The 2nd best team of the last premier league season has seen its stocks drop a little, with the arrival of the most expensive 33 year old manager in football Villas-Boas.  At times they have flattered to deceive, with the transition of the squad which netted 3 premier league titles slowly progressing however it not being easy with the senior players having a very strong hold over the dressing room (as shown by Lampards taking a penalty kick from Mata).  A side in transition Champions League football for next season and success in the current one would be a satisfactory result.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 4th
Who they need to fire: Fernando Torres-50 million reasons why this is pretty obvious?

5.Newcastle United (39 points)

The Magpies have continued their steady rise since returning the the premiership in 2009.  Under the expert guidance of Alan Pardew (which makes criticism of him earlier in the season all the more remarkable) the solid squad of Newcastle has continued to improve and will be looking towards Europe next season.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 7th
Who they need to fire: Demba Ba-has been unbelievable this season, though Newcastle have done alright without him, is missed.

6. Liverpool (38 points)

Once again under the steady hand of Kenny Daglish's leadership, Liverpool have begun to resurrect themselves as a contender and as a club not on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to the Fenway sports groups takeover.  However Champions League qualification seems beyond them, but being alive in the title hunt for the Carling Cup and FA Cup, means silverware is not beyond them this season.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 6th
Who they need to fire: Demba Ba-has been unbelievable this season, though Newcastle have done alright without him, is missed.

7. Arsenal (37 points)

A team not spending money, a manager "past-it" and a side that can lose game's it's expected to win just as much as it can win game's expected to lose, under Wenger's tenure this Arsenal side has never looked so under-pressure or rattled.  However calls for Wenger's resignation are extremely premature and his ability to unearth gems such as Gervinho show that he's still got it.  A disappointing season will perhaps be accepted with qualification for Europa making up for the first time in 14 years Arsenal won't reach the championship league.  Well at least finishing above Liverpool.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 5th
Who they need to fire: Andrey Arshavin-the russian midfielder has been booed by his own fans, and needs to validate Wenger's faith.