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Tottenham, Arsenal or Man United: Who will finish in the top four this season?

:Headline: Tottenham, Arsenal or Man United: Who will finish in the top four this season?:
The Sports Mole team discuss which club they believe will win the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.
Sports Mole

At least one place in next season's Champions League remains up for grabs in the Premier League this season, with the battle for a top-four finish set up for a fascinating finale.

Tottenham Hotspur currently occupy the coveted fourth spot, but they are only above North London rivals Arsenal on goal difference, while Manchester United are just three points behind them.

Even West Ham United in seventh - five points off the pace as things stand - may not have given up hope given how often those above them are dropping points, although the winning Europa League now looks a more likely route into next season's Champions League.

Third-placed Chelsea will also be looking nervously over their shoulders after Wednesday night's defeat to Arsenal, although they still boast a five-point cushion over Spurs.

Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will finish in the top four behind Manchester City and Liverpool this season.



Barney Corkhill, Editor

With both Spurs and Arsenal sitting fourth and fifth, level on points with each other but ahead of Man United and West Ham - plus with a game in hand over both - it is the North London duo who have to be regarded as favourites for this.

Chelsea should have things wrapped up - although that is now only a 'should' rather than a 'do' - and behind them it is likely to come down to which team can string a bit of consistency together towards the end of the season.

None of the teams involved has given their fans reason to believe they will be, but of those involved I think Tottenham are most capable, with a free-scoring attacking trio and a seasoned and successful manager in the dugout.

However, there is also a reason the 'Spursy' tag has stuck all of these years and it would be no surprise to see them slip up again.

If so, Arsenal need to be in the position to capitalise, and with the Gunners facing Man United, West Ham and Tottenham in three of their next four, it could be argued that matters are in their hands as much as Tottenham's - particularly as Antonio Conte's side still face a daunting trip to Anfield.


Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Despite the Chelsea defence again playing like they are strangers to each other at Stamford Bridge last night, the assumption is that they will eventually get over the line when it comes to the top four.

However, fourth place is a lot less clear-cut. Manchester United cannot be discounted - particularly when they travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Saturday - but for me, it will eventually come down to the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur. The latter have still got to travel to Liverpool, but that potential, maybe probable, defeat would be cancelled out if they defeat Arsenal in the following fixture.

Like in recent matches, there will likely be bumps along the way, but the key question for me is who possesses the more reliable attack. Both defences have been equally inconsistent, but who would you back to score more goals at crucial times?

Despite Arsenal's four-goal haul against Chelsea on Wednesday, I feel that the answer to that question is conclusively Spurs, leading me to predict that a closing double-header against Burnley and Norwich City will ensure that Harry Kane and co get over the line by a couple of points.


Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

As much as I would love to back Arsenal to kick on from their pulsating win over Chelsea, their Stamford Bridge success may be nothing more than a red herring, and fans will certainly question why such a performance could not be replicated in their three previous lowly defeats.

Victory over Manchester United on Saturday would surely kill off any hopes of the Red Devils forcing their way into the top four – and Ralf Rangnick's team are certainly not playing like a side who deserve Champions League football – so it will likely be a two-horse race between the North London rivals.

It pains me to say it, but Arsenal's already-depleted squad and injuries to key players could once again come back to bite them, so unless Arteta's side can throw a curveball and take all three points home from the North London derby, it is Tottenham Hotspur's to lose, and Antonio Conte certainly possesses the firepower needed to take his side back to the Champions League.


Ben Sully, Reporter

Barring a complete capitulation, Chelsea will hold onto third place, and though Manchester United are still on the cusp of the top four, their poor performances suggest that the remaining Champions League spot will come down to a shootout between the North London clubs.

Arsenal will be buoyed by their 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, which ended a run of three consecutive defeats, but in my opinion, I think the Gunners will miss out on a Champions League place, with their local rivals pipping them in the final stretch.

Although they suffered a demoralising defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their most recent outing, Tottenham have been in sensational form in recent weeks, netting 14 goals across the four games prior to the meeting with the Seagulls.

Undoubtedly the North London Derby that takes place in May will play a pivotal role in deciding the Champions League places, but with the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min firing on all cylinders, I think the tactically astute Antonio Conte will guide Spurs into the top table of European competition.


Joel Lefevre, Reporter

With six games remaining I believe there are four teams with a legitimate shot at finishing in the top four of the Premier League standings and qualifying for the Champions League next season.

It would take an epic collapse for Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea to drop out of the top three and, while the race for the title may be the most talked about, there are a variety of scenarios which could occur in the race for fourth.

I see Arsenal claiming the fourth spot by the end of the season, because between themselves, Tottenham Hotspur, Man United and West Ham they look the most consistent.

Man United looked completely broken and the one person who can rescue them (Cristiano Ronaldo) is missing because of an unimaginable tragedy, while The Hammers and Spurs have not shown enough quality on a regular basis to prove they deserve a top-four spot.

The Gunners have been up and down in April, but they look more unified and have a clearer identity than the other teams in the running.


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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
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Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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