Who Will Finish in the Premier League’s Top Four?
With the top of the Premier League being the closest it has been in years, the battle for who will finish top four has out staged the runaway Premier League title race.
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With Chelsea and Manchester City at this point assured of finishing top two, only two spots remain for qualification into the Champions League. With third placed Arsenal and seventh placed Southampton only separated by a mere five points, the battle for the top four looks promising.
With top clubs Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool sitting between the two in the table, this year’s top four battle is set to be one of the best in Premier League history.
Remaining to be seen at this point, is who can make the late season push to secure a top four finish. With ten matches left for all five clubs, the run for the Champions League begins now.
Arsenal FC
Key Matches: vs Liverpool, vs Chelsea, at Manchester United
Predicted Finish: Third
With ten matches remaining in the Premier League season, Arsenal hold the advantage in the race to finish top four. With three points separating the Gunners and fifth placed Liverpool, Arsenal control their own destiny.
With a remaining match against Liverpool, Arsenal will need points to help secure their Champions League position. However, with matches against Chelsea and Manchester United still remaining, the North London side will be hard pressed to run the table and maintain their lead.
Should Arsene Wenger continue to work his magic at Arsenal, not only could an FA Cup victory be on the cards but also, another season of Champions League matches taking place at Emirates Stadium.
Manchester United
Key Matches: vs Tottenham, at Liverpool, vs Manchester City, at Chelsea, vs Arsenal
Predicted Finish: Seventh
Easily the toughest remaining schedule of the tour four combatants. With matches against five of the Premier League’s top six, Manchester United will find qualifying for the Champions League a tough ask.
With the side under performing as it is, Manchester United sit with the worst run to the finish of all the Champions League contenders. Manager Louis Van Gaal will need a very strong performance from his squad if the side has any hope of competing for a top four finish.
Liverpool FC
Key Matches: vs Manchester United, at Arsenal, at Chelsea
Predicted Finish: Fourth
Having not lost in their last twelve matches, Liverpool are on an amazing run. Whether that run can continue is yet to be seen. With back-to-back matches against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool’s winning ways could be coming to an end.
However, with Manchester United’s tough run to end the season, Liverpool’s remaining matches will allow Liverpool to finish top four and qualify for the Champions League.
However, I doubt the side will be able to pass Arsenal in the table. Should the side manage a Champions League birth, it would cap off one of the most impressive comeback runs in Premier League history.
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Key Matches: at Manchester United, at Southampton, vs Manchester City
Predicted Finish: Fifth
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With remaining matches against three of the Premier League’s bottom four, Spurs should have no problem competing for a top four finish. Unfortunately, the impressive run of Liverpool as well as the gap to derby rival Arsenal will prove too much for Tottenham.
With Matches against both Manchester sides, Tottenham will need more magic from young star Harry Kane if the side are to continue in its winning ways.
Also on the card is a trip to Southampton, where the Saints will attempt to play spoiler against their former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Should Liverpool slip in the home stretch, Tottenham could be in the catbird seat to finish top four.
Southampton FC
Key Matches: at Chelsea, vs Tottenham, at Manchester City
Predicted Finish: Sixth
This weekend’s tough test at Stamford Bridge will be crucial to the Saint’s Champions League chances. Anything less than a draw will eliminate the side from top four contention.
Should Southampton manage a decent finish to the campaign, the side will manage its highest Premier League finish ever. Thanks to the Red Devils tough end to the season, Southampton will most likely finish top six.
However, anything higher than six will be tough. With matches away against the top two in the Premier League, Southampton’s top four chances look to be between slim and none.