The race for the Premier League top four this season has the potential to go right to the wire as six clubs battle it out for the remaining European places.
Tottenham have had a very odd season but they appear to be hitting form at just the right time.(Getty Images
Tottenham enjoyed a very good weekend in the top-four race as they moved into the final Champions League spot ahead of fierce rivals Arsenal, having played one less, with goals difference and Manchester United with three points.
Man United have had a season to forget – they are out of all the cup competitions and currently seventh on the log. (Getty Images)
Manchester United came from behind to salvage a point against Leicester City on Saturday and Spurs made it five wins in six Premier League games with a 5-1 triumph over Newcastle United before Arsenal then fell to a 3-0 defeat across the capital at Crystal Palace.
Arsenal haven’t played in the Champions League since the 2016/17 campaign, and Mikel Arteta has put his faith in a lot of young and very talented footballers to bring it back to Emirates. (Getty Images)
There will be plenty of twists and turns to come over the next few weeks – here are the key fixtures that are likely to play a big part in which side secures their place in the premier European club competition next season.
Saturday, April 9
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Everton vs Manchester United
This weekend is a key one in terms of the top-four battle for all the teams included. While Tottenham will look to keep motoring on and retain the fourth position, Arsenal and Manchester United will attempt to get back on track as the reaction from both sides will be so important when they visit out-of-form Brighton and Everton respectively.
Arsenal take on Brighton who are without a win in their last seven seven Premier League games, and Manchester United will seek to avoid Everton banana’s peel, as their battle for survival take another turn following 3-2 defeat to Burnley on Wednesday, while Tottenham, on the other hand, face a big game with a trip to Aston Villa, who will be looking to end their run of three successive defeats.
Tuesday, April 19
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Wednesday, April 20
Chelsea vs Arsenal
After an away to Everton on Saturday 9 April and home to Norwich City on Saturday 16 April, Manchester United face a real test to their top-four ambitions.
Ralf Ragnick has only lost two of his 15 league games in charge but five draws in that time have cost the Red Devils valuable points. (Getty Images)
A visit to Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying, in-form Liverpool side, has the potential to be the Manchester United’s top-four decider, (and in Liverpool’s case of course, the title). Both sides cannot afford to drop any points as all matches are ‘finals’ now.
Mikel Arteta faces a battle to get Arsenal into the top four. (image: Getty Images)
Following Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool 24 hours earlier, Arsenal’s game in hand will take place later this month when they head over to west London to take on Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
After the 4-1 defeat to Brentford, Chelsea top four isn’t secure yet and will be a massive encounter for the two sides.
Neither Chelsea nor Arsenal can afford to miss out as Tottenham will be looking to take advantage of the situation.
Saturday, April 23
Arsenal vs Manchester United
Brentford vs Tottenham
Sunday, April 24
Chelsea vs West Ham
Matchday 34 is another blockbuster in the top four race.
Arsenal welcome Manchester United to Emirates Stadium, three days after a visit to third-placed Chelsea and for Manchester United, it comes after four days visit to title contenders Liverpool at Anfield.
This match is arguably equally pivotal for both sides but more so for hosts Arsenal.
Spurs have scored 21 goals in their last six league matches and have won five of those, so Conte has worked his magic. (Getty Images)
Tottenham will be keeping one eye on the result in the midday game at the Emirates Stadium before they travel to Brentford later in evening.
Given Arsenal do face Chelsea prior to hosting Man United, the Gunners potentially slipping up in both could hand Spurs a huge opportunity to take control in the race for fourth providing they don’t trip up themselves along the way.
West Ham have not been outside of the top ten this season and have been as high as third on some occasions. (Getty Images)
David Moyes’ Hammers certainly shouldn’t be ruled out of the top-four race just yet as they are only three points behind Tottenham and Arsenal.
Westham run-in includes games against Brentford, Burnley, Norwich and Brighton, all of which will be viewed as eminently winnable. And with Chelsea top four far from being secured, any point against Chelsea might change the top four flow.
Sunday, May 1
West Ham vs Arsenal
Another crunch game in the race for fourth will take place at the start of May when West Ham and Arsenal meet at the London Stadium.
The clash with the Gunners is a real six-pointer, With both harbouring top-four ambitions, it is a contest no side can afford to lose.
Saturday, May 7
Liverpool vs Tottenham
All eyes will be on Anfield in May when Liverpool and Tottenham meet under the lights. The hosts will need maximum points in their title chase, while Spurs can’t exactly afford to slip up along the way as they look to pip Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham to fourth.
Thursday, May 12
Tottenham vs Arsenal
The next iteration of the ever-feisty North London Derby has acquired additional competitive significance this year thanks to the Champions League race.
Originally pencilled in for the middle of January, Tottenham and Arsenal will finally meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 10 days before the season draws to a close.
Providing of course that the teams are still within touching distance of one another, the showdown in N17 could prove decisive to who finishes fourth and who misses out on Europe’s premier competition.
Sunday, May 15
Tottenham vs Burnley
West Ham vs Man City
Chelsea VS Manchester United
Monday, May 16
Newcastle vs Arsenal.
All will still be hoping to be in the top-four mix come the penultimate round of Premier League fixtures.
Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge with the the kick-off time yet to be confirmed.
The date will only remain the same if the west Londoners do not progress past Crystal Palace in the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals, as the final at Wembley is due to be held on the same weekend.
Tottenham’s game against Burnley may look straightforward on paper but the Clarets may need the points in their battle to stay in the top flight, whereas Man City will travel to West Ham needing a win as they look to retain their Premier League title.
Arsenal settle for another Monday’s night in front of everyone’s screen against Newcastle. Giving their abysmal performance when playing under pressure, Arsenal face an uphill task when they travel to St. James’ Park.
Sunday, May 22
Arsenal vs Everton
Brighton vs West Ham
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Norwich City vs Tottenham
The top-four race could potentially be done and dusted by the time the final game comes around.
However, if it isn’t, all four sides will believe they have winnable games, although Arsenal may come up against an Everton side in desperate need of the points to maintain their top-flight status..