Premier League Power Rankings 2014 Week 6: Latest EPL Title Odds and Outlook
Chelsea remain the rightful favourites for the Premier League crown after their 1-1 draw at Manchester City on a weekend when a host of big names dropped points.
Arsenal were also able to take advantage of losses for Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton, as England's top flight continues to reel off shock result after shock result.
After a weekend of magnificent action, here are the latest odds for the Premier League title and a look at how each team shapes up in the latest power rankings.
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| Chelsea | 4-6 |
| Manchester City | 11-4 |
| Arsenal | 9-1 |
| Manchester United | 16-1 |
| Liverpool | 22-1 |
| Tottenham | 150-1 |
1. Chelsea
The Blues were perilously close to snaffling their fifth win from five Premier League games at the Etihad, but they were denied by a late strike from their all-time record goalscorer, Frank Lampard.
Nonetheless, there was plenty to take from this clash for Chelsea. They played with a swagger and a purpose that have been ever present during the opening weeks of the campaign and could have easily run out comfortable winners had Diego Costa’s late strike ricocheted in off a post.
The Chelsea forward was lucky not to get sent off, though, according to City full-back Zabaleta, who was red-carded himself:
Jose Mourinho will be undeniably disappointed to lose out on three points, but a point at City is not something to be dissatisfied with. His side have the toughest away trip in the division out of the way and are five points ahead of their main challengers for the title.
2. Southampton
The south coast club may have had their hearts ripped out of them this summer, but their souls remain very much intact. Ronald Koeman’s men notched yet another impressive win, this time against fellow high-flyers Swansea City.
The most impressive facet of this Southampton display was their patience. Swansea loaded men behind the ball when they were reduced to 10 men following Wilfried Bony’s dismissal, and at one point, they looked capable of keeping Saints out.
But the visitors played with the aura of a team that’s in excellent form, waiting for their opportunity. And when it came, it was Victor Wanyama who hammered home to send Saints to second place in the Premier League.
3. Manchester City
City need to get back into a winning routine after four games without sampling three points, but their draw against Chelsea showed plenty of fighting spirit.
If it wasn’t for Lampard’s late equaliser, Manuel Pellegrini’s team would have found themselves eight points off the league leaders. Even though they were a man down, they conjured an opportunity and were especially clinical in taking it.
It was vital that City didn’t lose that game, and although they’ll only get a point for their efforts, the momentum accrued from that late salvo should drive them forward in clashes to come. It’s imperative that it does, because Chelsea are looking pretty formidable at the moment.
4. Arsenal
After being run ragged by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Arsenal needed to put in a performance of vigour and endeavour against Aston Villa. And the travelling supporters were treated to exactly that, as the Gunners coasted to a 3-0 victory at Villa Park.
Arsene Wenger’s side blitzed the home team in a devastating spell to wrap this one up, as Villa defenders were unable to get near the elusive Mesut Ozil and the effervescent Danny Welbeck, both of whom got on the scoresheet.
For the former especially, it was a much-needed return to his best. The German was outstanding for the Gunners, as noted here by Squawka:
The crucial thing for Arsenal is to keep this momentum going, and if they can get the better of Spurs in the north London derby next week, they’ll be the team best placed to cling onto Chelsea’s coattails.
5. Leicester City
Nigel Pearson’s side looked good for long spells during his side’s opening three games of the campaign without picking up a victory. But after a win at the Britannia Stadium in Week 4 and a sensational 5-3 triumph over Manchester United in their last outing, the Foxes suddenly look as though they’re capable of doing some real damage in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, they were magnificent against United, showcasing industry and verve the Red Devils were unable to live with. Former forward Gary Lineker was mightily impressed with their display:
Having played Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United already, Pearson has negotiated this team through some tough fixtures with admirable aplomb. At this juncture, the Foxes' Premier League survival looks a sure thing.
6. Swansea City
Garry Monk will feel let down by his star centre-forward, as two mindless, unnecessary challenges from Bony left Swansea down to 10 men for most of their clash with Southampton. From that point on, things were always going to be difficult for the Swans, and, although they clung on admirably, Saints eventually breached their back line.
CNN’s James Masters thinks the Ivory Coast front man behaved stupidly:
Swansea have had an excellent start to the campaign, and, although this loss will hurt, Monk should reaffirm the positive aspects of all their displays to date. The South Wales outfit are going in the right direction under his tutelage and still look set for a fine campaign.
7. Aston Villa
Paul Lambert’s side were unable to repeat their Anfield heroics against Arsenal, as the Villa back four look befuddled by the visitors' slick passing and incisive moment.
The game was pretty even until Arsenal struck with three goals in three minutes, leaving the clash over and the second period ultimately irrelevant. With games against Chelsea and Manchester City to come, things aren’t going to get any easier for Villa.
8. Crystal Palace
The Eagles notched their first win of the season thanks to a fine victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Despite falling a goal behind, Neil Warnock’s side came roaring back, capitalising on some abysmal individual errors from the home side to win 3-2.
Palace were marvellously clinical against the Toffees, as noted here by Bleacher Report’s Matt Cheetham:
Getting that first win was vital for the Londoners, and they showed plenty in this clash to suggest that, while they lost a crucial figure in Tony Pulis ahead of the season, they have enough about them to comfortably avoid relegation once again this season.
9. West Ham
The manner in which West Ham began their 3-1 victory over Liverpool was as good as any Hammers side have played in years. There was cohesion, intensity and ingenuity about this team, as they had their more illustrious opponents under pressure from the outset.
They got their reward with a pair of early goals, and although Liverpool got one back courtesy of Raheem Sterling, there looked to be very little danger of the Reds turning this one around.
Players such as Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have really caught the eye during the early stages of their Upton Park careers, and West Ham are quickly becoming one of the most enterprising teams to watch in the Premier League.
10. West Brom
Alan Irvine was in desperate need of a victory after a tough start to his West Brom tenure, so he’ll have been delighted to see his side emerge from White Hart Lane with all three points thanks to an excellent away display.
It was a header from James Morrison that sealed the points for the Baggies, and the travelling supporters will have been buoyed by the commitment and spirit shown by their players—something that’s admittedly been lacking throughout the early stages of the season.
West Brom must build from this, though. Irvine remains something of an unpopular figure at the Hawthorns, but more results like this will do plenty to turn the tide with the Baggies faithful.
11. Tottenham
After a start to the campaign filled with refreshing promise, things seem to have taken a turn for the worse at White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino has now failed to pick up a win in Tottenham’s last three Premier League games, and the latest defeat at home to a struggling West Brom team was arguably their worst performance of the season so far.
Their attacking play, in particular, will have been a big concern to the Argentinian boss, especially when you consider the statistic noted here by Hotspur Related:
"Tottenham register their first shot on target, 70 minutes gone. #THFC
— Hotspur Related (@HotspurRelated) September 21, 2014"
There’s been enough from Spurs to suggest they can build under the former Southampton boss, but a heavy defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates next time out, and he could find himself under some big pressure.
12. Liverpool
The lofty days of last season seem a long way away for Liverpool, as they slumped to their second consecutive league defeat.
Brendan Rodgers’ side look to be blighted by the same defensive woes that hampered them for long spells last season, and without the mercurial genius of Luis Suarez or the incisiveness of Daniel Sturridge at the top end of the pitch, the Reds are getting badly found out.
Next up for Liverpool is the Merseyside derby, a fixture Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett thinks could be a defensive horror show:
Everton have failed to win at Anfield for 15 years, though, so Reds supporters can be hopeful of getting back to winning ways against their local rivals—especially when you consider how poor the Toffees have been recently.
13. Everton
The Toffees were in a defensive shambles once again in front of their own supporters, as Crystal Palace capitalised on three amateurish individual errors from Roberto Martinez’s side to snatch victory.
Tim Howard was badly at fault for both of the Eagles’ opening goals, and Leon Osman was culpable for the third—senior figures who have long been reliable. But the team has a collective duty to perform better, and currently, the defensive side of this team just isn’t good enough.
It’s a massive concern for Evertonians, especially when you consider statistics like this, per Squawka:
With fixtures to come at Anfield and Old Trafford, things look as though they’re going to get worse before they get better at Goodison Park.
14. Hull City
Steve Bruce will have been absolutely fuming to see his side throw away a two-goal lead at Newcastle. A pair of wonderful goals from Nikica Jelavic and Mohamed Diame gave the Tigers an excellent platform to go on and win the game, and with the home crowd restless, Hull should have killed it.
But Papiss Cisse entered the fray, and his late brace salvaged a point for the home side, leaving Hull with their second consecutive 2-2 draw.
There’s been plenty to like about Bruce’s side during the opening weeks of the season, but they still look a work in progress at the back. If they can sort that out, they’ll stave off the threat of relegation with ease.
15. Manchester United
It’s difficult to fathom just how Manchester United managed to lose that game against Leicester. With the score at 3-1, Louis van Gaal’s side were in cruise control, but as soon as the Foxes upped the tempo, the United back line disintegrated.
The lack of fight will have been particularly disconcerting for Van Gaal. When the scoreline went to 3-3, there was only one team that was going to win the game.
Ruud Gullit provides a succinct summation of their current problems, per Michiel Jongsma:
There were plenty of positives from an attacking perspective, but the concerns that blight the rest of this team far outweigh them. If United don’t find some way to tighten up at the back, it’s going to be a long, long season for the Red Devils.
16. Stoke City
Mark Hughes' team did well for long spells against QPR and definitely deserved to take all three points at Loftus Road. And while the Stoke boss will have been disappointed to concede from a corner, there was little his side could have done with respect to Niko Kranjcar's stunning late equaliser.
The Potters have been excellent at times this season, but lapses in concentration seem to cost them against lesser sides. Perhaps they're a little complacent in those types of clashes, and Hughes must rediscover the cohesion that made Stoke such a difficult side to beat under the tutelage of Pulis.
17. Burnley
That's three stalemates in a row for Sean Dyche's side, as they played out yet another 0-0 draw against Sunderland.
It was drab, and it was uninspired, although it's easy to see how Burnley might be able to preserve their Premier League status. They're an incredibly hard-working outfit that won't concede many goals, but with Danny Ings injured, they need a spark in the attacking third of the pitch.
They've yet to taste victory since their return to the Premier League; perhaps getting those first three points on the board can expedite the return of their offensive flair.
18. Sunderland
The Black Cats have failed to carry the momentum accrued from late last season into this one, and at the moment, Gus Poyet looks like a man short of inspiration when it comes to this team.
Sunderland were lucky to snatch a draw against Tottenham in Week 4, and although they avoided defeat at Turf Moor, they've yet to taste victory in any of their five games to date. If that doesn't come quickly, the the Stadium of Light faithful should brace themselves for another relegation scrap.
19. Newcastle United
Alan Pardew was able to salvage some pride amid a hostile Newcastle home crowd, with his second-half substitutions helping the Magpies to a much-needed point.
In truth, the home side got out of jail, and although Pardew will feel he's made a positive impact on proceedings, he remains an enormously unpopular figure and a person the raucous Newcastle faithful look unlikely to change their opinion on any time soon.
Henry Winter of the Telegraph feels Pardew deserves praise for sticking it out:
Nonetheless, Newcastle have yet to win a game and have looked a disjointed, undisciplined team whenever they've taken to the field this season. It's extremely difficult to see just how things are going to get any better at the club without some big, big changes.
20. QPR
A stroke of genius from Kranjcar may have spared Harry Redknapp's blushes, but there are obvious concerns with this team.
QPR could have been and probably should have been on the end of another defeat, and although they deserve credit for battling to a point, there was little to vanquish the premise that they are the worst team in the Premier League this season.
