The race for the Premier League top 4: A four-way battle

As the 2018/19 season draws to a close, the race for the top four is as open as ever, with 4 teams in the running to secure Champions League football next season.

Tottenham Hotspur (3rd 70pts)

Spurs found themselves, although briefly, in a title race earlier on in the season. However, they now find themselves battling it out to secure Champions League football in their new stadium next season. Spurs currently have the advantage and find themselves sitting in third with 70 points this season, whilst also boasting the best goal difference.

Spurs do find themselves in the semi-final of the Champions League, so it will be interesting to see how they manage to deal with the congested fixtures list, especially as they are carrying a few injuries at the moment.

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In terms of the run in, a home fixture against Everton will most likely prove the hardest game, and an away trip to The Vitality has the potential to be a banana skin. Nevertheless, it seems more than likely that Spurs will secure Champions League football next season.

Remaining fixtures: 27th April – West Ham (H); 4th May Bournemouth (A); 12th May Everton (H)

Predictions: 3-1// 0-2// 2-1//

Chelsea (4th 67pts)

Sarri’s Chelsea has struggled to get results of late with a recent loss against Liverpool and a 2-2 draw against Burnley at the Bridge in their last Premier League outing. The worry for the Blue’s is whether they can deal with the pressure especially after missing opportunities recently to gain points on rivals.

Chelsea has a tough run in and the matchup against Manchester United at the weekend could be a defining match for the race for top four. Arsenal fans, you would imagine, would be hoping for a draw between the two clubs however both Chelsea and United will know its pivotal that they go away with the 3 points. A trip away to Leicester on the last day of the season also has the potential to spoil the party, especially as they have beaten the likes of Man City at home already this season.

Remaining fixtures: 28th April – Man Utd (A); 5th May – Watford (H); 12th May – Leicester (A)

Predictions: 1-1// 1-0// 0-2//

Arsenal (5th 66pts)

Arsenal is entering the last 3 games of the Premier League season in worrying form. Their last two fixtures have been a 3-1 loss to Palace at home and a 1-3 loss to Wolves away. Arsenal fans will also be wary that they have two away games left this season. Arsenal has been notoriously poor away from home, only recording 6 wins in 17 games according to Footystats. They have been woeful defensively this season and have the least clean sheets out of the teams battling for the top four.

Similarly to Tottenham and Chelsea, Arsenal also finds themselves in a European semi-final, so it will be important that Emery looks after his players so that they can be at full strength in both competitions. Arsenal seems to always find a way when it comes to securing Champions League football, so it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Remaining fixtures: 28th April Leicester (A); 5th May Brighton (H); 12th May Burnley (A)

Predictions: 1-2// 2-0// 1-1//

Manchester United (6th 64pts)

United enter the final 3 games of the season in terrible form. The Red devils have lost 4 of their last 6 Premier League fixtures and haven’t looked like threatening in any of them. Ole has had a torrid time since he has taken over as permanent manager of Manchester United and finds himself off the pace in 6th position. If they want to push for Champions League football next season, they are going to need a huge slice of luck and a serious improvement in their games.

United’s run in you would think is fairly straight forward bar the game against Chelsea, however, Cardiff at home on the last day of the season could potentially lead to some problems, especially if they are still fighting for survival in the league. The Chelsea game is huge for the rest of their season, and if they don’t come away with a win against the Blues, I think that they will find themselves playing Europa League football next season.

Remaining fixtures: 28th April Chelsea (H); 5th May Huddersfield (A); 12th May Cardiff (H)

Predictions: 1-1// 0-2// 2-0//

The run in for this years Premier League is sure to be one for the ages, with 4 teams battling it out to secure European football. With all the twists and tales we’ve seen in this years campaign, anything can happen, especially given these four teams got a combined total of 4 points in their last two games each!

Predicted final standings: 1) Manchester City 2) Liverpool 3) Tottenham Hotspur 4) Arsenal 5) Chelsea 6) Manchester United.