The Top 4 Run-in: The Predictions

 

It feels like the last stretch of the Premier League with no less than 7 games remaining for teams battling it out for a place in the top 4 and asserting their place for the huge prize of qualifying for the glittering UEFA Champions League tournament. For some sides it's an absolute necessity whereas for others it's a mere dream for their fans to see their team lock horns with some of the best teams across Europe. 

It is fairly safe to say that the two Manchester sides are safe and are on course of finishing in the top 4, with Man City looking certain of keeping their hold on top spot as well as Man United who are looking very safe at Ole at the wheel as they are 9 points clear above Chelsea who are sitting in 5th, however Leicester City, West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Spurs are all floating in around the dotted line to make 3rd and 4th their target. The race is hotting up. 

Liverpool

It is widely agreed that Liverpool has the easiest set of remaining fixtures. The Reds have won their previous 3 matches and are next playing Leeds United, let's hope we get an entertaining spectacle like the one we saw on the opening day of the season in that 4-3 thriller, their toughest fixture yet will be up against Man United at Old Trafford and is the only 'top 6' side they will play. 

Rem. Fixtures for L'pool: Leeds (A), Newcastle (H), Man U (A), Southampton (H), WBA (A), Burnley (A), C Palace, (H)

Spurs

Spurs are currently in 7th place and are looking like the side that are less likely to finish in 4th place. They've faced a lot of criticism particularly in the SkySports studio in recent times from the outspoken Roy Keane who has had a recent heated exchange with the ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp who was reluctant to accept that Spurs are an 'average' side, and when I say heated, I mean heated!

 The discussion went viral and is there for all to see on YouTube. Spurs did reach the final of the Champions League in 2019 against all odds and are showing no signs of wanting that experience back. With Leicester and Everton on the list of matches coming up they will have to turn things around in dramatic fashion and get all points against the lower reputable teams.

Rem. fixtures for Spurs: Everton (A), Southampton (H), Sheffield Utd (H), Leeds (A), Wolves (H), Aston Villa (H), Leicester (A)

Leicester

The foxes fans must be pinching themselves this season to see their team in 3rd place, personally, I wasn't expecting Brendan Rodgers to do a bad job at Leicester and I would put their chances to finish in the top 4 as very likely indeed, however looking at their fixture list it is looking amazingly challenging right now. The final three fixtures of Man U, Chelsea and Spurs are going to be crucial.

Rem. fixtures for Leicester: West Brom (H), Crystal Palace (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), Man Utd (A), Chelsea (A), Tottenham (H)

West Ham

West Ham is the most surprising team on this list, they've been dealt with some pretty mediocre football in recent years but now that David Moyes is coach they've been very entertaining to watch. Jesse Lingard has put on some spectacular performances as of late and the Hammers fans are licking their lips at the possibility of more to come. West Ham in the Champions League? Just imagine! Chelsea and Everton are set to be the biggest challenges but apart from that, it is not looking too difficult. 

Rem. fixtures: Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Burnley (A), Everton (H), Brighton (A), West Brom (A), Southampton (H)

Chelsea

Chelsea are a huge team in English football and have won the Premier League 5 times since the re-branding of the competition since 1992/93. Their fans have made huge expectations for them to qualify for Europe every season but with inconsistent league finishes since the last half of the 2010's the West Londoners are just that sort of team that is not worth placing your bets on in regards to their final fate. They face a very difficult fixture list with Man City, Arsenal, and Leicester standing in their way.

Rem. fixtures: Brighton (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H), Man City (A), Arsenal (H), Leicester (H), Aston Villa (A)

My Prediction:

It is difficult to make a prediction for the final top 4 this season once 38 games have all been played. I think all teams mentioned above could go on and do it and in some aspect, the fixture lists doesn't really give an overall indication of how well the teams may play on the day. You never know in football. Below is my prediction on the top 7, although I do think it can go any way so it's very loosely predicted!

1. Man City

2. Man United

3. Liverpool

4. Leicester

5.West Ham

6.Chelsea

7. Spurs