Premier League Run home: In brief

7 Rounds to go and the deep end of the season now begins, but there's still enough intrigue at the top and as always the bottom of the table to keep fans interested, here we sum up very briefly each premier league teams chances

1.Manchester United (76pts)

Sir Alex has done it again, 5 points ahead of the Manchester neighbours, everything has came together nicely.  Just need to keep doing what they've done so far, winning against every team that comes up against them, the defence even minus Vidic is holding up well and De Gea is looking better by the week.  Besides Man City the only teams that could cause trouble for Man United are Sunderland away and possibly Everton. The title looks all but assured now however.

2. Manchester City (71)

Need to rely on Manchester United dropping games, and not just the blockbuster at the Etihad.  That's also assuming all the remaining games are won which is no foregone conclusion with the on-fire Arsenal at the Emirates.  Going to really regret the dropped points against Stoke city, Sunderland and Swansea the three big 'S''s.  Need Aguero back and Silva to rediscover his old form because City are in a lull which will more than likely cost them the title.

3.Arsenal (58)

Need to shore up 3rd place to once again travel to Europe.  As much as people rave about Ferguson from less resources what Wenger does with his team is just as incredible. Champions league football will keep on Van Persie and next season who knows?  Should be able to finish top 4.

4.Tottenham (58)

Still playing cracking football, with class such as Bale, Modric and Adebayor and the magnificent management of 'Arry will stave off Chelsea and Newcastle to return to Champions League football.

5.Chelsea (53)

Undergone a resurgence under Di Matteo of all people but won't be enough for him to keep his job or enough for Chelsea to make Champions League football in all likelihood.  The treasured competition Europa beckons...

6.Newcastle (53)

Have pulled many surprises this season, excellently managed by Pardew, finishing 6th a great result to set up a real play for next season.

7.Everton (43)

Surely David Moyes has got to be headhunted by Tottenham or Chelsea for their next manager?  Just does it week-in, week out, probably won't hold off Liverpool but who knows?

8.Liverpool (42)

Been a disappointing premiership, but Kenny Daglish should do enough to put them above rivals Everton, with a FA Cup and Carling Cup a consolation.

9.Sunderland (41)

Have played better than they're results have shown, will stay at 9th.

10.Fulham (39)

Difficult run home, will drop down the table

11. Swansea (39)

Playing beautiful football, will run home their impressive season by finishing in the top10

12. Norwich (39)

Must be cursing their run home, but enough to stay up though will drop a bit down the ladder

13. Stoke City (38)

Whatever you say about the way they play it's effective and will rise to 11th-12th in all likelihood.

14. West Bromwich (36)

Will snatch enough points to just about stay where they are

15. Aston Villa (33)

The luck has not been on Mcleish's mens side but will be worried with a horrible run home

16. Bolton (29)

Will get enough enough points to avoid relegation.

17. Queens Park Rangers (28)

Horrible horrible run home.  Hughe's men will be cursing their luck.  Hard to pick but expect them just to scrape through.

18. Blackburn (28)

Might be leaving it too late, if can beat West Brom, Norwich and Wigan will survive.

19. Wigan (28)

Have been great to watch, will be sad to see them go down

20. Wolverhampton Wolves (22)

Are gone.

Problem, Man City? U mad?

Manchester City are in trouble. Not from playing extremely badly as some would have you believe mind but just for the fact that Manchester united are beating all the teams they should.  Dzeko "was diving"  Balotelli "has lost the respect of his teammates and the manager"  and Manchester City are "choking".

Far from the truth.  In other circumstances their comeback from 3-1 down against an underatted Sunderland would be sort of heralded, except for the fact it was at home and if Manchester United beat Blackburn they will go ahead by 5 points, meaning more than a derby victory will be needed to win the Premiership.  Really Balotelli is who he is, Mancini is a manager who knows how to get the best out of him, and is not afraid to give him a kick up the arse or cuddle him if needed.  The main problem is David Silva has lost a bit of his early season flair, unfortunately the knocks on the ankles from hard hitting defenders against the silk master have taken their toll.  Also losing the 2 most in form players of the last couple of months in Nasri and Aguero hurts.

Looking harder to win for man city here but undoubtedly they've improved.  They need to win every game left this season and hope united stuff up at least twice along the way.  And hope Dzeko remembers to kick goals when there's defenders around.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4233458/Edin-Dzeko-blasts-dive-claims-after-Sunderland-bust-up.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4233375/Alan-Shearer-Mario-Balotelli-is-a-selfish-spoiled-brat.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4233545/Man-City-stars-reckon-Mario-Balotelli-is-costing-them-the-title.html

Sick of hearing about Tevez

Now finally that Carlos Tevez(sic) has returned to Manchester City to resume training has apologised and has committed to the team-at least in the short term, hopefully this will put an end to the countless media articles, though it's very doubt able.

The Carlos Tevez story has been a saga from day one, he cannot seem to leave a team on good terms (West Ham excluded, he did save them from relegation and all).  When he refused to warm up when his manager Roberto Mancini asked him to during the Champions league all hell broke loose.  The Internet, newspapers and water cooler conversation could not get over the disobedience of the "brat" Tevez.  Then the saga kept dragging.  He went to Argentina.  He got fined.  He appealed fine.  He won. Got fined again.  Didn't appeal. Is now back in England and apologised to Manchester City (not Roberto Mancini, mind).

Is that the end of it?  I highly doubt it. The saga was entertaining at the beginning but now fatigue has set in like typing heaps of words on a keyboard. Why not focus on Mario Balotelli instead?  He seems to have an endless supply of stories for newspapers, even on a slow day.

Writer's note:  I love watching Carlos Tevez play. On the field he gives 100%, is physical, fearless, exciting to watch, miraculous and unselfish.  He's a players player on the field.  In fact he's one of the main reasons my interest in Premier League increased exponentially.  But I too have felt upset at his behaviour and it's a shame he's not as unselfish or well-guided off field as he is on it. I would love to see him back playing and mend his ways however I'm not sure if it's a good idea for Man City to take him back.  I'm just not sure.