5. The Gap Is Too Large
I will start with the obvious. Manchester United's 9 point lead at the top of the table is simply too large for it to be overcome at this stage in the season. It would take United losing three games whilst City winning all theirs at the same time. Looking at the remaining fixtures, there is still the crunch derby match to account for between City and United in April, but that's at Old Trafford. Despite City's 6-1 thrashing of United on their own turf last season, Ferguson's men will still be confident of coming away with something, even if it just means grinding out a draw. After that United travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal before hosting Chelsea. That's 9 points United could feasibly drop right there, you might argue, but City also have to face Chelsea, whilst they will have Tottenham and a resurgent Newcastle left to face. City are in a disadvantaged situation in that whilst United can afford to slip up once or twice, they absolutely cannot put a foot wrong from here on in. One more draw coupled with a United win, and the title race could be curtains by the end of March.