Don’t write off Reds, says guru
As the Premier League enters the home stretch of the season, runaway leaders Manchester City look set to win the title.
City, who have played 32 matches, are on 74 points, 11 ahead of secondplaced Manchester United (63) who have a game in hand.
United are likely to finish second with a seven-point advantage over third-ranked Leicester City.
However, the race for the other two top-four spots for Champions League berths remain close.
Leicester (56) and West Ham (55) currently hold the positions, followed by Chelsea (54), Liverpool (52) and Tottenham (49).
“Man City will surely win the title,” Surasak Marktavee, the London-based chief correspondent for Siam Sport daily, said in a telephone interview.
“Man U will finish second but the race for the other two places is still very close.”
Leicester suffered a blow last week when they lost 3-2 at West Ham.
However, Surasak said the Foxes would be more dangerous when their England midfielder James Maddison, who has missed several matches due to injury and disciplinary reasons, returns.
Surasak, who has covered English football for over two decades, said he would not be surprised if West Ham play in the Champions League next season.
“The Hammers have enjoyed a good run since the arrival of Jesse Lingard on loan from Man U in January,” said Surasak, who has been based in London since 1997.
A flop at Man United, Lingard is probably in the form of his life at West Ham which saw him earn a recall to the England squad in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
“West Ham also have other good players, including [midfielder] Declan Rice and [striker] Michail Antonio,” said Surasak, who is better known by his pen name ‘Little Joe.’
Chelsea have also been in a good spell since the arrival of manager Thomas Tuchel in January.
“Tuchel has turned several Chelsea flops into fine players,” Surasak said.
“Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea only have had a few bad results.”
Although champions Liverpool are three points behind fourth-placed West Ham, Surasak warned critics not to write them off.
“Following their exit from the Champions League, their only focus will be on the Premier League,” said Surasak, who has recently launched his Thailanguage book 23 Years in England II after the first one sold like hotcakes.
“The Reds have regained some confidence with three wins in a row [in the Premier League]. Manager Juergen Klopp’s tactics and man management will be key.”
Surasak is close to several Thai celebrities, including former Thailand player and coach Kiatisak ‘Zico’ Senamuang and rocker Artiwara ‘Toon Body Slam’ Kongmalai, having accompanied them to matches.
He hoped the Covid-19 situation becomes better soon.
“I miss watching football at the stadium,” he said. “I miss my friends from Thailand and would like to watch matches with them.”