With the Premier League in the later stages of the season, the all-important question remains – who’ll finish in the top four? Six top clubs are competing, but in all honesty, only three spots are up for grabs.
Chelsea are runaway leaders, currently sitting 10 points ahead of second-placed Tottenham. Even if the Blues were to suffer an unlikely collapse in the title chase, a drop from the top four is unlikely, bordering on impossible.
As a result, we are left with five clubs: Spurs, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Man United. Who will qualify for next season’s Champions League? We analyze the odds.
Tottenham
Current league position: 2nd
Points: 53
Games played: 26
Also competing in: FA Cup
Key fixtures: Everton (H), Southampton (H), Leicester (A), Arsenal (H), Man United (H)
Tottenham are in the driving seat to finish in second. They have played Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City – home and away – with only a north London derby and a Man United clash remaining.
Pochettino’s boys can be confident of beating the Gunners, given that their last six White Hart Lane clashes ended in three victories for the host. Injury problems to Alderweireld, Vertonghen, and Rose could hamper their season, however.
Verdict: Top-four finish
Man City
Current league position: 3rd
Points: 52
Games Played: 25
Also competing in: FA Cup and Champions League
Key fixtures: Monaco (A), Liverpool (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (A), Leicester (H)
Man City can go far in the FA Cup, and progression in the Champions League is possible when they travel to Monaco. The Citizens fight in three competitions could severely damage their odds of making the top four.
In the space of three weeks from March 15 to April 5, Guardiola’s boys will travel to Monaco, Arsenal, and Chelsea; with a home clash with Liverpool preceding the London trips. The injuries to Gundogan, Jesus, and Kompany leave their attack and defense short of options.
Verdict: No top-four finish
Arsenal
Current league position: 4th (déjà vu)
Points: 50
Games played: 25
Also competing in: FA Cup and Champions League
Key fixtures: Liverpool (A), Bayern (H), Man City (H), Tottenham (A), Man United (H), Everton (H)
Arsenal are in the Champions League, but realistically have only one game to play before bowing out – at home to Bayern Munich. After that, the FA Cup will be Wenger’s only distraction.
The Gunners have a game in hand – a home clash with Southampton – and travel to a struggling Liverpool side. The Gunners will have to face the Manchester duo, but, fortunately, both of those fixtures are home ties.
Welbeck is back in the squad to add another dimension to their attack, but the absence of Aaron Ramsey and particularly Santi Cazorla could be costly. And then there is Le Prof’s Jose Mourinho curse.
Verdict: Top-four finish
Liverpool
Current league position: 5th
Points: 49
Games played: 26
Also competing in: none
Key fixtures: Arsenal (H), Man City (A), Everton (H), Southampton (H)
Liverpool are struggling right now. They are in fifth, and have played one more game than sixth-placed Man United, whom they lead by a single point. Next up for the Reds is a clash with Arsenal.
But there are several positives. Firstly, a win – which is possible – against the Gunners would get Klopp’s boys up and running. Secondly, Liverpool only need to concentrate on the league, having crashed out of the FA Cup.
Lastly, and most importantly, the Merseyside giants don’t have to worry about Chelsea, Spurs, and Man United. After Arsenal, Man City and Everton are their only two worries. They will, however, be hoping captain Jordan Henderson makes a speedy recovery.
Verdict: Top-four finish
Man United
Current league position: 6th
Points: 48
Games played: 25
Also competing in: FA Cup and Europa League
Key fixtures: Chelsea (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (H), Arsenal (A), Tottenham (A)
Jose Mourinho has been delivering the results as of late, but the team has been overly dependent on a few names in the squad – namely Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Furthermore, a congested fixtures list will have the Special One worried about their top-four odds.
The Red Devils continue their march in the Europa League, a title well within their reach. The FA Cup is also a possibility should they get past Chelsea.
Man United meet the Blues in between their two-legged clash with Rostov, and will face Conte’s boys once again in the league. There will be two consecutive tough away tests against Tottenham then Arsenal – in May.
Verdict: No top-four finish
However…
Manchester United could still make the Champions League next season if they win the Champions League. We tip the Red Devils to go far in Europe.
Our prediction for the Premier League table this season
- Chelsea
- Tottenham
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Man United
- Man City
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