EPL Records usher in New Year!

2012 has concluded with several records firmly engraved English Premier League (EPL) history. One team that is probably more excited than others to see the back of the last year is Queens Park Rangers (QPR). An EPL record sixteen games without recording a first win of the season, now has QPR deeply rooted at the foot of the table, a massive 8 points from safety. Unless Harry Porter can find an astonishingly historic magic touch in the next half of the season, QPR are near certainties for relegation.
 
Chelsea on the other hand probably would have liked to hold onto 2012, as against all odds they finally collected the one trophy that continued to elude them despite Abramovich’s massive investment. They unfortunately followed this up with the unpleasant record of becoming the first Champions League holder to get knocked out in the group stages. Now under the guidance of former adversary, Benitez, Chelsea particularly started to show the metal of champions in the recent game against Everton. With the addition of a January signing or two, Chelsea are the one team that could upstage the Manchester giants this season.

Many expected Chelsea’s Champions League triumph to spur their wealthy blue cousins to a more successful second Champions League campaign. Manchester City however contravened to deliver the worst points tally by an English team in the history of the Champions League. Having lost out on even last season’s consolation Europa League qualification, City fans are banking on a less congested schedule than their title rivals to help aide their title defense.

 Having lost last season’s title on goal difference, it is of little surprise that Manchester United responded by adding more fire power to their attack. Plagued by a leaky defense during the first half of the current campaign, the two aspects of Manchester United conspired to deliver the highest scoring first half in EPL history (Reading 3 versus Manchester United 4). United will hope to keep their recently returned club captain, Vidic, healthy for the rest of the season to add much needed steel to their leaky defense as they bid to ramp up their goal difference. With a solid defense to complement the club’s prolific attack, United will be well placed to win a record 20^th Premier League title.

While QPR’s Harry has been complaining about the lack of fight shown by the clubs overpaid stars, Big Sam has rallied his troops to fight to remain in the EPL with every sweat they have got. In a clear display of fight and determination, West Ham received a record 8 yellow cards during their October match against QPR.

There is no doubt that 2013 will deliver even more EPL records. Will your favorite team deliver the history you crave or the history you dread? With Arsenal, Everton and Spurs locked in a fierce battle for fourth place, the final qualification spot for Champions League football, two will have to settle for the Europa League. Rapidly improving Stoke and Liverpool are likely to be involved in the battle for the last Europa League place. The Capital One League Cup also has the potential to deliver a fascinating surprise with a Swansea triumph that would see them earn a berth in next season’s Europa League.

Enjoy a Happy and prosperous 2013!!!!