Burnley 1-1 Chelsea
I would if I was you!
True, it’s not over till it’s over.
That football cliche may be very apt but here, before the second week of February is complete, it virtually IS over.
Some sports betting chiefs have even paid out in England when the margin in late winter has been virtually as wide.
There were still around a quarter of the season’s football games remaining when an English bookie paid out in 1998.
Yes, that backfired as Arsenal pegged back then leaders Man Utd’s 12-point advantage.
But it’s rare the full story of that campaign, which earned Arsene Wenger his first ever English triumph, is recalled.
For as good as Arsenal’s comeback was, it’s hardly ever recalled that Wenger’s side did have three games in hand at the time.
On the odd occasions when there is such a gap between first and second place at this stage of the season, the team that is top almost always stays top.
Most recently in 2013 when, at this stage, United held a 12-point lead over neighbours ManCity they never once looked like relinquishing.
Fast forward four years on and it’s Chelsea who are in the box seat, even if the gap at the summit is marginally smaller.
They have many of the attributes that United side had too.
Talent, experience of winning the title, hunger and belief.
For many of Antonio Conte’s squad were part of the team Jose Mourinho guided to the Premier League two years ago.
It was evident at fortress Turf Moor where newly-promoted Burnley have long overachieved with nine wins and a draw keeping them safely above the relegation scrap.
They pushed their multi-millionaire opponents all the way here.
This was a fantastic showing from a side superbly managed by Sean Dyche.
After Pedro’s early goal, they could easily have crumbled but showed character and levelled through new signing Robbie Brady’s free-kick.
That Burnley have now gone six top flight games unbeaten for the first time since 1975 shows the mentality that Dyche has ensured.
And they deserve many plaudits.
Yet so do Chelsea of course – now 10 points clear and with just one defeat since September.
A club without the distraction of European football and chasing a second Premier League in three years.
The champions elect have one hand on the trophy.
If I was you, I’d bet online on the title returning south.
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