The battle for the top four EPL

The Battle for the top four: EPL discussion

With Chelsea recording a momentous victory over Man Utd on the weekend, the race for the two remaining Champions League spaces is tightening up.

Juan Mata’s deflected strike lifted Chelsea up to third (just four points behind Man City) and it seems likely that the Europa League finalists will retain a place in the UCL, barring a loss against Tottenham midweek, which promises to be a massive six pointer.

Man City have done most of the work already and despite a quiet season for last year’s champions, I don’t see them being displaced as runners up in the league.

Arsenal and Tottenham are probably the most worried of the three London clubs and the remaining spot will probably go to one of the bitter north London rivals.

Inevitably, tears will be spilt, as both clubs have worked hard this season and refuse to give up the fight.

Tottenham demolished Man City in a 3-1 win a few weeks ago in April, but followed up that crucial win with a poor 2-2 draw against the perennial struggler's Wigan.

The general consensus seems to be that Spurs will fall away as they have done in previous seasons but people tend to forget that they finished fourth last year and lost out to Chelsea who qualified as holders.

Spurs are refusing to give up at the moment and as they have a game in hand over Arsenal and stand only two points behind their rivals.

The problem is that their game is against third placed Chelsea, who have the added incentive of securing their place in the UCL (leaving Spurs to fight it out with Arsenal) as well as lifting the Blues to within a single point of second placed City.

Spurs held up their end of the deal against Southampton with a 1-0 win to keep up the pace but this game could make or break both clubs seasons.

If Spurs do lose against the Blues midweek they may not be able to come back from such a psychological hammer-blow at the business end of the season. Despite their reliance on Bale, AVBs team have played well for most of the season and if they win, the momentum could lead them back to the Promised Land.

The old master, Arsene Wenger may have lost his star pupil in RVP but he has managed to plug the gaps with less impressive players and there are reports of a decent war chest for Arsenal to spend in the summer.

Finishing in the top four is a must for a club of Arsenals stature and everyone knows how much it means to their beleaguered boss.

Personally I think no matter where they finish, the hard work will start in the off season with personnel changes the aim of the game at the Emirates.

Arsenal have played an extra game, so I would imagine that a draw would be the result they want in the Chelsea v Spurs fixture.

No matter the result, this triple threat will probably go down to the last game of the season and at this point it truly is too close to call.

Chelsea remaining fixtures: 8^th May (Tottenham), 11^th May (Aston Villa), 19^th May (Everton)

Arsenal remaining fixtures: 14^th May (Wigan), 19^th May (Newcastle)

Tottenham remaining fixtures: 8^th May (Chelsea), 12^th May (Stoke), 19^th May (Sunderland)

Predicted League table:  

3^rd Chelsea pts: 73

4^th Arsenal pts: 73

5^th Tottenham pts: 72