Premier League Top Four Battle, Who Wins?
The Premier League is one of my favorite leagues in the world and it is the home of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur. Each week my buddy Greg Lindae and I tune in to watch what is going on with the soccer across the pond and last week we were locked in a tense debate about who would finish in the top 4 this year. Manchester City have pretty much blown the league away which leaves just 3 places up for grabs in terms of Champions League places, but who will get them?
Arsenal
Arsenal have managed to put themselves in a position of outsiders for the top 4 and after just 1 win in 13 away from home, their form will need to improve drastically if they have a chance. New signings Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan will certainly add some firepower to the North London outfit but with a weak defense and just under a third of the season left, the Gunners look set to fall short again.
Spurs
On paper the Lilywhites have a team which should be challenging for the title but some disappointing results have put them 5 points a drift in 5th spot. The next 3 games will tell as to whether or not Spurs can do it, facing Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal consecutively, come out of that unscathed, and Spurs could well count on Champions League football next season.
Liverpool
Liverpool, despite losing Phillippe Coutinho in early January, are absolutely on fire when it comes to scoring goals. Said Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino have formed a formidable strike force and goals are not a problem at all for the reds. At the back there are issues however which Jurgen Klopp has sought to address with the signing of Virgil Van Dijk, whether that will be enough remains to be seen. If Liverpool sort out their defence, they will walk into those Champions League places.
Chelsea
Current Champions Chelsea have been solid this year and whilst they may not have set the world alight, they have done the required amount to leave themselves in 3rd place, just 2 point behind second spot. Eden Hazard is in a rich vein of form right now and with goals coming from all over the pitch, you can’t see the Blues missing out on the top 4 this year.
Manchester United
Despite being sat in 2nd place, United have flattered to deceive this year and have never really looked sensational. The mark of a Mourinho team however is to do whatever it takes to get points on the board and that is what his team of stars has done this year. The recent signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal looks set to ensure that United’s fortunes this season keep them in the top 4 spots.
Chelsea and United look to have nailed there positions on which leaves a straight shoot out between Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs for that final top four spot.