A Tight Race: Predicting the Battle For European Football Next Season
8th-Placed Tottenham (41 pts, +7 GD)
Fixtures: MUN (H), WHU (H), SHU (A), EVE (H), BOU (A), ARS (H), NEW (A), LEI (H), CRY (A)
Surprisingly, Tottenham is still in the conversation for potentially qualifying for the Europa League. After a poor start to the season and a change in manager, Tottenham has made their way back with the help of José Mourinho. They are currently only two points off a Europa League spot.
Tottenham’s final nine games are a mix of easy and difficult games. An added boost for them is the return of Harry Kane. With a Tottenham team near full strength, it will be quite difficult for any team to beat them. Tottenham have their sights set on European football for next season and will make sure to achieve their goal. They have nothing better to do.
Predictions: D – W – D – D – W – L – W – L – D, 54 pts
9th-Placed Arsenal (40 pts, +4 GD)
Fixtures: MCI (A), BRH (A), SOU (A), NOR (H), WLV (A), LEI (H), TOT (A), LIV (H), AVA (A), WAT (H)
Arsenal has had a poor season based on their expectations and what they haven’t met. Their new manager, Mikel Arteta, could not make much of a difference since Unai Emery’s departure.
If anything, Emery was the better manager as he was able to lead Arsenal into 6th place last season. With qualification for European football unlikely, Arsenal seems to give more importance to summer transfers and are focusing on next season.
Arsenal’s schedule is not easy, if anything, it is quite difficult. Based on how Arsenal’s season has gone, a lot should not be expected from their final 10 matches. Arsenal arguably has the most difficult schedule out of all the teams still in contention to qualify for European competitions. We shall see if Arteta and Aubameyang can lead this team to where it wants to go.
Predictions: L – W – D – D – W – L – L – L – W – W, 54 pts
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The race to clinch the final European competition spots is very tight. Many teams are still in contention and are separated by only a few points. Some have a moderately easy fixture list and some don’t. The race for these final spots is very competitive and intense. The fans of the Premier League will keep a close eye out for how this battle ends.