Politics
Man Utd, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, West Ham and Arsenal run-ins compared as top four race hots up
THE Premier League season is racing towards what should be a thrilling finale.
While Manchester City are almost-certain to be crowned champions there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table.
But above all, the race for the top-four looks set to go down to the wire.
Incredibly, should all teams win their games in hand, there are just 13 points separating second from TENTH.
As things stand there are just seven points separating the chasing pack – with West Ham in fifth on 48 points and Arsenal in tenth on 41 points.
Dependent on English clubs’ progression in this season’s Champions League, it’s likely only the top four will get to sit at Europe’s top table next season.
And with City hoovering up one of those four, there are NINE clubs fighting for just three places.
But who will grab those all-important places? We take a look at each club’s run-in to determine who will make the cut…
MAN UTD
Can Man Utd cling on to their second-placed spot with nine games to go?[/caption]
WITH just nine games to play, United have one of the easier-looking run-ins.
A huge derby clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 1 is the highlight.
But Spurs away on April 11 and Leicester at home on May 11 could be potentially season-defining games.
A tricky trip to Wolves on the final day of the season will mean Man Utd will want to have sewn-up a top-four spot in advance.
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LEICESTER
Leicester will hope to cling on to their top-four spot but have a tough run-in[/caption]
SIMPLY put, Leicester have the hardest run-in of the genuine top-four chasers – in no small part down to their horror final three games.
Between April 17 and May 8, the Foxes play five matches against teams in the bottom half of the table.
But they are going to want to take the maximum 15 points from those games.
Leicester start their run-in with games against Man City and a top-four six-pointer with West Ham.
But after their five relatively routine-looking games, Brendan Rodgers and Co must finish their season with Man Utd away, Chelsea away and Tottenham at home.
Points on the board prior to that final push will be imperative.
CHELSEA
Chelsea currently sit fourth but are under pressure from the chasing pack[/caption]
MUCH like Leicester, Chelsea might want to keep their foot on the accelerator for now.
Games against the likes of West Brom, Brighton and Fulham are on the horizon.
But – as well as a trip to West Ham on April 24 – the Blues have a tricky final four games.
A visit to Man City precedes home games against fellow European battlers Arsenal and Leicester.
And a potentially tough final-day showdown at Aston Villa could prove too great a challenge if a top-four spot isn’t already assured.
WEST HAM
West Ham are hoping to keep the pressure up on the top four with a simpler run-in than many[/caption]
DAVID MOYES has worked wonders at West Ham this season.
And thanks to a strong start to the season, the Hammers can look forward to one of the easier available run-ins.
The East Londoners must play Arsenal, Leicester, Chelsea and Everton among their final ten games.
But their final games are Brighton away, West Brom away and Southampton at home.
On current form, West Ham should be confident of picking up all nine points there.
But it’s vital Moyes’ boys pick up points against their top-four rivals, not only for their own tally but to hit theirs at the same time.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool will hope to rediscover their top form ahead of a fairly simple run-in[/caption]
LAST season’s Liverpool would be licking their lips at the look of their run-in.
On the face of it, only trips to Arsenal and Man utd pose any real threat to the Reds on their day.
But, given their current Premier League form, Jurgen Klopp will approach the final nine games with some nerves.
Liverpool’s home form has been utterly woeful since the turn of the year – so fortunately for them five of their final nine games are on the road.
But finishing the season with Southampton (home), West Brom, Burnley (both away) and Crystal Palace (home) should give the reigning champions confidence going into the final few weeks.
EVERTON
Everton face a fairly difficult run-in and might be too far off grabbing a top-four spot after losing to Burnley[/caption]
EVERTON have a mixed bag – but certainly not the easiest run in.
The Toffees must play Aston Villa twice, Man City away, well as Arsenal away, West Ham away and Spurs at home.
In truth, Everton have only three or four games where you’d expect them to cruise to victory.
Carlo Ancelotti will have to make sure his troops are up to the task or they’ll be chasing the leading pack with some tough games to end the season.
TOTTENHAM
Tottenham slipped further from the top-four after losing at Arsenal at the weekend[/caption]
HAVING ‘won the title’ in December, Spurs are now miles off the pace.
Fortunately for them, they have a fairly cushy-looking run in.
Tricky games against Leicester away, Everton away and Man Utd at home are about as tough as it gets.
And the likes of Sheff Utd and Southampton at home will give them great belief of snatching a top-four spot.
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa face a tough run-in and might have left themselves too much to do[/caption]
AFTER a red-hot start, Aston Villa have just started to cool off… and it could be at just the wrong time.
With ten games to play, Villa must play Spurs twice, Man Utd at home, Liverpool and Everton away as well as Man City at home.
Dean Smith’s side will have to pick up all three points at home to West Brom and Fulham and hope to pinch a much-needed point or three against their rivals in a nasty-looking run in.
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ARSENAL
Arsenal are suddenly hopeful of snatching a European spot for next season[/caption]
FINALLY, we have Arsenal – who, just a few short weeks ago, were miles out of the running for a European spot.
But a spate of top clubs dropping points – and an uptick in their own form – has seen the Gunners just edge into the reckoning, despite sitting tenth.
Mikel Arteta’s side have a fairly easy run-in, too.
Despite playing Chelsea away, Liverpool at home and West Ham on the road, their remaining fixtures are jam-packed with relegation-threatened sides.
While that poses a problem in itself, with the opposition fighting tooth and nail for survival, the likes of Brighton, West Brom, Fulham (all at home) and Sheff Utd away should be a quick source of points.
Can they somehow snatch the unlikeliest of top-four spots?
