English Premier League, Matchday 13 Preview: Bunched League, Vulnerable Leaders Approach One-Third Mark

Over the last two match days in the English Premier League, no fixture has been decided by more than two goals. Yes, there have been two other match days with similar results, but there was an uncommon competitiveness to the last week’s action - a drama that belied the final score. Perhaps this is just me wanting the league to be something is hadn’t been of late, but it sure seems like we’re getting more competitive matches matchday-in, matchday-out than we did last season.

It’s the recent form from the league’s top teams that’s made the Premier League so competitive. Chelsea’s dealing with depth issues in midfield. Manchester United’s still got a case of the draws. Arsenal’s been unconvincing while City’s been unambitious. All four teams are vulnerable, and given a league where only three points separates fifth from 14th, a number of teams have shown themselves capable of exploiting weakness.