The race for the top four is continuing to heat up in the Premier League with five teams battling it out for two sports.
Finishing in the top four can be so vital for a team and plays a key part towards their planning for the next season, as high-profile players are reluctant to join teams outside of the Champions League.
Furthermore, your own players will want to leave for a team playing in Europe’s best competition as well.
TIBS News looks into the future at how the top four will finish.
Chelsea
Chelsea currently occupy third spot but their next two fixtures see them play teams still fighting for their season. On Thursday, Chelsea travel to Manchester United who are desperate for another year of Champions League football and then on Sunday they head to relegation-threated Everton. After Thursday’s fixture though the Blues don’t face anybody in the top six, which should secure their place in the Champions League.
Remaining fixtures: Chelsea vs Manchester United, Everton vs Chelsea, Chelsea vs Wolves, Leeds vs Chelsea, Chelsea vs Leicester, Chelsea vs Watford
Arsenal
Sitting in fourth and winning four of their last five, Arsenal looked nailed on to get top four this time last month with their team of youngsters firing. However, three losses in a row opened the door to Tottenham, Manchester United, West Ham and Wolves – who quickly gained ground on them.
Top four is on the cards for the Gunners after winning 4-2 at Chelsea and then enjoying a 3-1 win against United. They sit two points above Tottenham, and with a London derby still to come, this could play a huge factor as to who gets top four.
Remaining fixtures: West Ham vs Arsenal, Arsenal vs Leeds, Tottenham vs Arsenal, Newcastle vs Arsenal, Arsenal vs Everton
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have been without Champions League football since 2019 but Antonio Conte has a big chance to return them there, with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son being the most in-form duo in the league this season.
Squad depth around the two main men has seen Spurs make a late push for top four, and with Burnley and Norwich still to play Conte’s side could hold firm and finish fourth.
Remaining fixtures: Tottenham vs Leicester, Liverpool vs Tottenham, Tottenham vs Arsenal, Tottenham vs Burnley, Norwich vs Tottenham
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag will have to wait to see which competition in Europe he’ll manage his side in next season while Ralf Rangnick still tries to secure Manchester United a place in the Champions League, or looking more likely a Europa league spot.
Finishing fifth or sixth could see Cristiano Ronaldo leave, who has been the Red Devils’ main source of goals with 16.
After losing to Arsenal, United need to beat Chelsea to have any chance of getting into the top four.
Remaining fixtures: Manchester United vs Chelsea, Manchester United vs Brentford, Brighton vs Manchester United, Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
West Ham United
West Ham have been flying in Europe this season, knocking out favourites Sevilla and then Lyon the next round. Frankfurt awaits them in the semi-final in a massive game for the Hammers. Winning the Europa league would guarantee them Champions League football next year, which looks more likely then finishing fourth going into their final five games of the season.
Remaining fixtures: West Ham vs Arsenal, Norwich vs West Ham, Manchester City vs West Ham, Brighton vs West Ham.
My prediction…
1st – Manchester City
2nd – Liverpool
3rd – Chelsea
4th – Arsenal
5th – Tottenham Hotspur
6th – Manchester United
7th – West Ham United
Chelsea should have enough quality in their team to secure third spot and players like Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta should have the experience to get their side remaining fixtures. With six games left, if no key players get injured, Thomas Tuchel should get his side over the line.
Arsenal or Tottenham was a hard choice for fourth, but I think Mikel Arteta’s side will just beat their north London rivals to that spot. The north London derby on May 12 will be massive for both clubs, and bragging rights are on the line with this being the closest these fierce rivals have been in years.
Manchester United’s hopes are sliM but if the north London derby can go their way, along with other results, they could sneak into a Champions League spot. Although unlikely; but with Cristiano in your team, anything could happen.
West Ham should qualify for Europe next year, either through winning Europa League or finishing seventh. David Moyes is an experienced manager who will guide his inform team to their highest position since 1999.
By Harry Yeadon
