With the clocks going back in England heralding the official end of 'Summer' (thanks for all your hard work, must try harder), thoughts turn towards Christmas and the festive season. Having just read the results from England and studying the impact on the Premier League table, I feel confident in stating that this Christmas is going to be a good one for Chelsea fans.
The five point lead that they currently hold with a quarter of the season done is by no means conclusive. As they showed against Manchester City, they are not invincible; and the latest win over Blackburn was according to reports not the most comprehensive dismantling of an opponent - but a win nonetheless. However they are confidently notching up the wins, racking up the points, and striding towards what would be their fourth Premier League title.
The reason that Christmas holds so much for potential for Blues fans is revealed with a quick look ahead at the fixture list (see, research and everything goes into these columns!). On December 13th in what promises to be a feisty encounter under the Monday Night floodlights, Man United host Arsenal. Despite the emergence of City, Tottenham et al; Wenger and Ferguson pose the most significant threat to Chelsea. A draw here would be a welcome result in West London - but whatever the outcome, one of them will be dropping points.
6 days later Chelsea host United, with another chance to take points from a direct rival. Finally, the day after Boxing Day, Carlo Ancelotti's Blues travel to the Emirates - again, what better way to tighten your grip on the title by claiming a win and taking points from a direct rival all in one.
Of course current form can change and this is all based on prediction, never one of my strong points; but the fixture computer may have handed Chelsea the chance to head into 2011 with a damn-near unassailable lead.
Sports Betting seems to be massive over here in Sydney - many pubs have a betting shop built in - and anyone with money on Chelsea to claim back-to-back Legaue titles should be feeling pretty good about their investment right now, and may well have a very Merry Christmas.
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Another team which was heavily backed by punters this Summer is my very own Southampton. After a good win yesterday the Saints have moved into a group of teams on similar points - although we currently sit outside of the play-off's, another win could take us to second. A showdown with current runaway leaders Brighton at St Marys later this month could well be the Saints' own chance to damage a rival and stake their own claim.
Either that or we'll screw up again.
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