The distance between Manchester and London is seven points

With the Barclays Premier League a game shy of the halfway mark - two if you’re a Tottenham Hotspurs fan - Manchester City lead the table on 45 points, the same as Manchester United who have clawed back a five point deficit and trail their cross-town rivals only on goal difference. The gap between the Red Devils and the clubs which bring up the rearguard of those currently filling in the European slots is seven points. Third-placed Spurs have a game in hand because of their Europa League commitments and are ahead of fellow Londoners Chelsea and bitter rivals Arsenal by four and five points respectively. The Gunners are in fifth place on 33, holding onto it by virtue of a two-point difference over Liverpool, who are sixth. At the bottom end of the table, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic are currently in the relegation zone, but given the sensitivity of the table, any one of the above, including the likes of Queen’s Park Rangers, Wolverhampton and Sunderland could be embroiled in a relegation dogfight in the weeks to come. As it stands, Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City are on course to become honorific winter champions, and given their imperious form in the table, could go on and win the league, dampening the ’noisy neighbours’ title to a large extent. But waiting for a slip-up are Manchester United, who’s talismanic striker Wayne Rooney has said that they will pounce at the slightest mistake from City. Roberto Mancini’s men may be ruling the roost at Christmas, but they lose key duo Kolo and Yaya Toure for the African Cup of Nations early next year. [caption id=“attachment_168249” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Both Wenger and Mancini will lose key players to the African Cup of Nations. Reuters”]  [/caption] The brothers have been in excellent form for the Citizens this season, and the rest of the squad will have to make up for the loss of these two pillars in City’s bastion. That should be of small matter to the league leaders with Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves waiting in the wings in midfield and Joleon Lescott and Stefan Savic ready to step up alongside Vincent Kompany at the back. United have done very well to be in the position they are right now given their injury woes. Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Darren Fletcher, Michael Owen, Anderson, Tom Cleverley and the Da Silva twins are amongst those unavailable, while inspirational captain Nemanja Vidic is out for the rest of the season. United, however, continue to display the grit and resilience that defines them. The three London Clubs are some way off and this season has the danger of turning into a two-horse race. Currently in the Champions League qualification spots are Spurs and Chelsea who played out a 1-1 draw on the 22nd of December. Harry Redknapp’s men have taken their game up a notch this season, with the arrival of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor (on loan) giving them that extra edge that they’ve sorely lacked in the past, while Andre Villas-Boas’ side seems to be emerging from that wretched run of form that saw them lose to Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool (twice) in a span of a month, and are on the up, as exemplified by the 2-1 win over City. Still, work needs to be done, as there are divisions within the squad. Alex is on his way out, while Nicolas Anelka is en route to Shanghai Shenhua. What is more worrying is that both clubs will lose players during the upcoming ACN. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel will represent their nations over the next couple of months, which means Chelsea might look to the transfer market for reinforcements. Drogba’s departure will be the one that causes most creases of worry on Villas-Boas’ forehead, given Fernando Torres’ profligacy in front of goal and an overall lack of form that has been his hallmark since he came to Chelsea last winter. Sitting in fifth place are Arsenal, who seem to have gotten over what happens to be their worst start to the Premier League. The squad seems to be gelling well together and the results are being eked out, sometimes with more silk than steel, as was seen against Aston Villa, Everton and Norwich this season. However an injury to Robin van Persie could be the difference between pursuing those ahead of them and struggling to capture a Champions League berth. Wenger has brought in experience over the summer, but Arsenal are currently facing a defensive crisis with all four full backs in Bakary Sagna, Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson injured, as well as centre-back Johan Djourou. Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh will temporarily leave the Gunners in January, which will leave Arsenal short up front, but Arsene Wenger has considered bringing back club legend Thierry Henry and a left back on loan. Arsenal also need to be more decisive in front of goal, although their postponed Boxing Day draw with Wolves was largely down to an inspirational performance from Wayne Hennessey. Separating Arsenal from Liverpool are two points. Kenny Dalglish’s greatest problem will now be answering the question of his striking woes. Uruguayan Luis Suarez has been slapped with an eight match domestic ban, which leaves only Andy Carroll and youngster Nathan Ecclestone up front. Carroll has struggled for goals this season. Liverpool have only scored twenty goals since August, five of which have come from Suarez’s boot. Steven Gerrard, however, seems to be nearing a first team comeback, and made his much-awaited return in the Boxing Day fixture against Blackburn. His first touch of the ball after coming on in the 69th minute resulted in Maxi Rodriguez heading in the equaliser against Rovers. The Reds will be looking to compete with those above them for a place in next year’s Champions League. Given that the Premier League is the hardest and most competitive in the world, the above clubs will be fighting tooth and nail to best one another. Fans are going to find it nail-biting, tense and dramatic, but most of all, they’re going to find it fun.