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[print_link] | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Follow @languagecasterFor this week’s listening report we take a look at the race for the PL (premier League) title. This season has been a topsy turvy one and a shock is on the cards as Leicester lead the pack going into the final five games. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above and you can read the transcript below with key vocabulary explained at the bottom of the post.
Listening Report: The Race for the PL Title
The Favourites: LeicesterA City
Incredibly, Leicester City are top of the league with a sevenA point cushion overA Tottenham. Last year, they just escaped relegation to the Championship, but have gatecrashed the top of the league this year with a strong defence, a potent attack, and a great team spirit. They have shown great resilience over the past month, and haven’t conceded a goal since early March. Their run in is not easy, and the games against Manchester United and Chelsea away will be tough, but Ranieri’s team have held their nerve so far. Played 33 games and have 72 points.A Conclusion: Champions.
The otherA surprise package,A Tottenham
Leicester being top of the league has stolen a bit of Tottenham’s thunder, but they have also surprised everyone with their strong season.A No team has scored more than Spurs, and no team has a better goal difference than the north London team. They are six points ahead of bitter rivals, Arsenal, and in their last game comprehensively dismantled Manchester United 3-0. Compared to Leicester, their remaining games are a little easier on paper, but a London derby against Chelsea could dent their chances. They cannot drop points if they want to win the league. They need Leicester to slip up – more than once. Conclusion:A a close second.
Outsiders:A Arsenal
The London side are in the top four again, but yet again have failed to really push for the title. The Gunners are an incredibly inconsistent team, blowing hot and cold, and leaving their fans wondering whether Wenger has run his course. TheyA have a game in hand over Spurs in second, but even winning that means they would be 10 points behind the Foxes at the top.A Their last game of the season is against Manchester City, and it is possible that City could leapfrog Arsenal into third with a win if Arsenal drop points over the coming weeks.A Conclusion: No chance of the league and fourthA withA Wenger to go.
Vocabulary
Topsy turvy:A confusing; surprising
(be) on the cards:A if something is on the cards it might happene, there is a chance it will occur
(to) lead the pack:A be in 1st place ahead of rivals
(a) cushion:A a safety margin; a points gapA between one team and the teams behind
(to) gatecrash:A to go to a party without being invited; in this context, Leicester have taken top spot, above stronger teams that are usually in the top four
(to) concede:A to allow; to let happen
(to) hold your nerve:: to keep calm; to not panic; to continue as you were before
(to) steal (someone’s) thunder:A to overshadow;to do something that takes attention away from what someone else has done
(to) run (a/someone’s) course: to fall; to drop down
(to) dismantle:A to take apart; to destroy; to beat easily
(to) dent their chances:A redue their chance of winning the league
(to) blow hot and cold:A to be great sometmies and then bad the next time; be inconsitant
(to) run your course;A to come to the end of your time
the Foxes: Leicester City’s nickname
(to) leapfrog: the jump ahead; to go above in the division/table
