Earlier this week I read a rather one-sided article that claimed the title race was not as exciting as the relegation battle, and in large this was a view supported by the comments that followed. It seems this is a band wagon that many supporters jump on, but I see it as a myth that needs to be dispelled.
The reasons for this claim are simple. There are normally five or six teams fighting relegation, and these teams will vary every year. For example, this season, only three points separate 12th from the relegation zone. On the other hand, there are only two, maybe three, teams that can win the title every season. But does that really make it less exciting?
A fan will naturally find their own side most exciting to watch, so a neutral opinion must be offered. While, the relegation battle may make a neutral want to watch Wolves v West Ham ahead of Everton v Bolton, in the latter part of the season, they will always choose to watch Arsenal v Manchester United first. It is fair to say that the same teams will compete for the title every year but I don’t think that makes it less exciting. Chelsea were 1/4 to win the league at one stage this year, since then they have been as well priced as 8/1.
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Excitement is about passion and anticipation. The biggest spectacle exists in watching the best players in the world go head to head, within the Premier League this takes place at the top. But, even if you feel excitement is about goals, the argument stays the same. This season there have been more goals in games that the top three teams have featured in, 248, than the bottom three, 233. And the idea that the clashes between the top sides are always boring stalemates has not been true either.
In the games between Arsenal, Chlesea and Manchester United, there have been ten goals in four games, (2.5 goals per game). The most ‘boring’ game was a 1-0 United victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford, but there have been no goalless draws. On the other hand, looking at matches between Wigan, Birmingham City and Wolves, there have been only nine goals in five games (1.8 goals per game), including a 0-0. The point being that, the clashes between the top teams have been no less exciting than those between teams at the bottom.
For me, elite sport is all about being the best. If you ask any English football fan what is going on in La Liga they will reply that Barcelona are five points ahead of Real Madrid at the top, not that Sporting Gijon, Deportivo and Zaragoza might get relegated along with Malaga, Almeria and Hercules. The point is; the neutral is more interested in what is going on at the top, if that makes them ‘glory hunters’ so be it. But the fact is glory is exciting. It might be more predictable at the top, but it is no less enthralling. I am more interested in winners than the teams who ‘don’t lose’. That is why the title race is more exciting than the relegation battle.
Agree with Joe? Prefer the title race to the relegation battle? You can follow him on twitter.
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