Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Agree, but in next ten games Chelsea face us and United away. They are capable of winning one of those games. I don’t expect the gap to widen much between us and Chelsea in the next ten games other than a point or two max. That being the case, I hope we can get to 87/88 points by end March. Chelsea could get another 23/24 points by then putting them on 69/70, an eighteen point lead with 6 games to go. That’s why I say if we can get through the next ten games with 8 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, Everton away or the Derby is where we will get over the line. All ifs and buts albeit based on a sensible assessment of current form of the top three.Chelsea have to play us, Liverpool, Spurs and United yet, I seriously doubt they will win all of those. I personally think the gap is more likely to increase because we are probably the only team that can go to Liverpool or Arsenal and win. Most of the top 4 will of played each other by March and by then I think it could be over with if results go our way.
The one player Pep needs to manage is Fernandinho, he will definitely not play against Burnley and I don't think he needs to play against Bristol either. If he can get away with playing Sane/KDB/Sterling/Aguero for only one of the cup games until Liverpool then we will be in a very good position. It is going to be a very important squad depth test week for Yaya/Bernardo and the young lads.