Warne: Now Is The Time To Watch EPL As Title Race Heats Up

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – My my, what an enthralling race is heating up in the English Premier League.

Reigning Champs Liverpool seem to be going backwards, and the two Manchester clubs are absolutely flying, along with Leicester City. Chelsea fired manager and club legend, Frank Lampard. The writing was on the wall, but even more so, we have to recognize that although Lampard was an amazing player he never earned being the head coach of an top EPL team. I have always been a Lampard fan, and this is not the end for him, but I am surprised he even had the opportunity for as long as he did.

West Ham United look set to reward their manager, Devoid Moyes with an extension after what can only be described as a phenomenal job at the Hammers’ helm.

JLingz is a Hammer 🤘 #WelcomeJesse pic.twitter.com/NXEk9xirbz

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 29, 2021

This is certainly a fun title race, and race for European soccer.

Arsenal v. Manchester United

An absolutely cracking affair on the horizon. You wouldn’t have said that two months ago, eh? But Saturday’s big match up on KSL 5 with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff is not to be missed.

Arsenal is slowly but surely going about their business. After a poor beginning of the season, where results were up and down, Arsenal now shows solid results over the last half a dozen league games. Their shape is okay, but the most important thing is the grittiness to their play. Thomas Partey is back from injury, and his return has added much needed two-way play. Partey is just as happy in the tackle as he is in creating space with a powerful run or a good pass to a teammate. And then the most exciting part of Arsenal’s good fortune is the fact the younger players are very much looking the part as they gain valuable first-team minutes.

Winger/Wingback Bukayo Saka has been head and shoulders above the other youngsters this season, but Central attacking midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe is starting to look very much the part. He is a creator, and in true number 10-type fashion, his socks rolled around his ankles, a bag of tricks, and wanting the ball with a focus to drive Arsenal forward at every opportunity.

5️⃣

🇹 🇭 🇮 🇳 🇬 🇸

you need to know ahead of MW21 👀 pic.twitter.com/r4KY4llRlI

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 29, 2021

This is a massive ask for Arsenal though, they come up against Man United who are in fine form. A well-organized unit and an eye on the league title. A very tall and physical side, their counter-attacking firing on all cylinders. Maybe not as attractive on the eye, but they are incredibly effective. Providing two defensive midfielders to protect the back four, and then using Bruno Fernandes to help unleash the front three for the explosive counter-attacks. Something Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani have used well in the rotation.

United, after all the money spent, finally resembles a well-oiled machine. A nod has to go to the manager, who, for the most part, has kept his head down. He has trusted his players 100 percent and protected them publicly, whilst taking flak from all angles when it looked as if he was lost. But he had a plan, and it’s working.

Did he think Bruno Fernandes would be this good when he signed him in January of 2020? I doubt it. But my word, what a player. And he has changed the entire club and their expectations. It almost feels like he’s pushing United back to greatness single-handedly. Even though he has a superb supporting crew, he is the one pulling the strings. He doesn’t need to channel Sir Alex Ferguson beyond trusting his instincts and his players.

Prediction: I think United just have too much momentum to be troubled much by Arsenal, even though it seems the Gunners are heading in the right direction. United are too powerful and will run out winners.

Leicester City v. Leeds United

Sunday’s 7:00 a.m. kickoff on Peacock TV. This might be a match for the purest when it comes to style with both teams incredibly fun to watch when they have the ball and are on the attack.

What Brendan Rodgers has done in his time at Leicester is very impressive, with each season the team seems to go up another small gear. His players improve and constantly look to be poached by the bigger teams. Recruitment and development have been at such a high standard over the last few years in Leicester that I can only continue to see them improve and become a great destination for talented players.

James Maddison is the one to keep an eye on in this matchup. He continues to hone his attacking vision in this team and is starting to really damage teams with his goals (6) and assists (2) from central midfield. There is still plenty more to come from the 24-year-old, but he is now much more trusted in this attack as he starts to realize his potential. He is no longer the young prodigy, he’s backing it up with substance.

•James Maddison this season – 16 goals/assists in 17 starts
•Jack Grealish – 13 goals/assists in 17 starts
•Phil Foden – 14 goals/assists in 18 starts

Combined 43 goals/assists in 52 starts👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/vZGf1fkmpu

— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) January 24, 2021

With the likes of Jamie Vardy (11 goals & 5 assists) leading the line and then Harvey Barnes providing width, along with Marc Albrighton, and Youri Tielemans in central midfield. They really will give the best teams a run for their money. The slick attack is easy on the eye, with 35 EPL goals so far this season. They are right in the middle of a EPL title charge. Can they sustain their momentum? This is the question on everyone’s lips.

Leeds United rode their luck against Newcastle during the week. But the relentlessness of the attack was for all to see. The energy levels this Leeds team possess is probably the most fun I’ve had the pleasure to watch in ages; a team with one way of playing “all-out attack”. Some people like it, some are critical. Personally, I love it. I don’t want to see my team scrape 1-0 wins, I want to see my beloved team go out in a blaze of glory. Picking up the occasional backside whooping, only to pick up some thunderous results on the way.

Former NYCFC stand out, Jack Harrison continues to stand out for this team, getting the winner in a 2-1 away win on Tuesday. He now sits with 4 goals and 4 assists. The goals and assists are all over this team that is truly a well-oiled unit, moving in the attack seamlessly. They do leave themselves open at the back, such is the manner in which they are attacking constantly.

But it is glorious on the eyes and this match will be no different.