English Debate: Will Home Form Win Manchester United The League?

There's an Anglo adage about how qualification from the group games of the Champions League can be achieved, and to paraphrase a two-time European Cup winning manager it goes a little something like this:

"Win your home games."

Granted, it's not the most enlightening of epiphanies, but the mathematics of a minimum of three home wins, and one away draw equates to a ten-point total, and this has all too often been cited as the magical number that secures progression to the knock-out stages.

With this in mind, it can therefore be argued that home form is equally crucial when it comes to domestic competition.

2007-08 Season

In the 2007-08 season Manchester United retained the trophy, and their home record included 17 wins... out of a possible 19. Despite one loss against local rivals Manchester City and a goalless draw while playing Reading, United managed to tally up 52 points in their own yard, yet they won the league with 87.

In the same season Chelsea - who, at the time played in a formidable fortress and claimed bragging rights that no team had taken maximum points away from Stamford Bridge for four years - still dropped points when Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool and Wigan Athletic visited. Their home points total was therefore 43; nine less than United's.

Arsenal led the line for the longest period of time - five months - and had it not been for an Eduardo leg break, a William Gallas protest, and an FA Cup capitulation to competitive rivals United, things could have been different for the Red and White army. Arsenal, like Chelsea, did not lose once on home soil. Yet Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Liverpool, United and Middlesbrough all escaped from the Emirates with draws. Arsenal therefore notched up 47 points at Ashburton Grove.

2006-07 Season

Going back a year further, Manchester United again lifted the Premier League crown, and again held the record for most home wins with a total of 15. They lost to Arsenal and West Ham United, and drew with Chelsea and Middlesbrough, giving them a total of 47 points.

Liverpool and Arsenal were some way off the pace that season, and only Chelsea gave United good competition. The Blues though racked up seven draws, and therefore dropped 14 points at home, meaning they accumulated the same total as they did in the 2007-08 season: 43.

2008-09 Season

So what has this season told us so far?

Liverpool are undefeated at home, but have dropped eight points due to four draws. They have therefore amassed a total of 22 points from a possible 30.

Manchester United, like Liverpool, have played ten games at home, yet their record at Old Trafford tells a different story to their north west rivals' Anfield tale. The Red Devils brag nine wins and a draw; 28 points from a possible 30.

Stamford Bridge is no longer regarded as a fortress, and it is easy to see why when you learn of the two losses and four draws that taint their four wins. They have 16 points from a possible 30.

Likewise, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium was - prior to this season - regarded as a tough arena to get a result. The Gunners though have dropped 10 points at home meaning they have a 23 point total from a possible 33.

Conclusion

Despite their early away losses against Liverpool and Arsenal, Manchester United have crept back up the league ladder and even though FIFA Club World Cup dates may have been deemed a distraction, that has not stopped Sir Alex and his team from grinding out results.

The second half of the season is also traditionally a time when United kick on. They got off to a slow start last term, but ended up lifting the title in May. And compared to the other members of the so-called Big Four, United are the ones who usually acquire a healthier points total in the latter half of the season.

During the last 17 games of the season in the past, the reigning domestic, European, and recently crowned World champions have averaged a 37-point haul. Arsenal stall at 33, while Liverpool and Chelsea lag behind with 30.

Will these traditions be upheld this campaign? Can Liverpool pick themselves up from the draw against Stoke, beat Merseyside rivals Everton on Monday, and continue to flirt with the head of the table, or will they begin to drop points and hand the Premier League crown to Manchester United? Can Chelsea salvage their season to develop a late charge? Will Russian playmakers have a say on an unsuspected challenge from Arsenal?

What are your thoughts on this subject? Will home form win Manchester United the league? Goal.com wants to know what you think!

Alan Dawson, Goal.com