Wednesday 15 April 2015 10:20, UK
After a dramatic weekend at the top of the Premier League, we look at the run-ins of the Champions League qualification chasers to see who has the best chance of a top-four finish.
Chelsea still have work to do with some tough encounters too come, Manchester City's season is still salvageable with some seemingly winnable fixtures still to play, while Liverpool and Southampton's run-ins mean they cannot be discounted just yet.
CHELSEA - 1st, P31 Pts 73
Fixtures: Manchester United (h), Arsenal (a), Leicester (a), Crystal Palace (h), Liverpool (h), West Brom (a), Sunderland (h).
Average position of remaining opposition: 10.1
The sign of champions is to be able to snatch a victory when you are not at the top of your game, by any means necessary, and Cesc Fabregas' late winner at QPR in their Super Sunday clash certainly added further proof that they would be worthy Premier League winners.
Many believe the title race to be all but over with Jose Mourinho's Blues holding a seven-point lead with a game in hand at this late juncture in the season, but it certainly won't be the mere procession many expect.
Manchester United and Arsenal are up next, who have won their last six and eight league matches respectively, followed by Chelsea's game in hand - away at Leicester who will be fighting for their lives, with Liverpool, who they have beaten just twice in their last five meetings at Stamford Bridge, to play before May 24.
"We need three victories and two draws so our situation is good. Championships are pure mathematics," Mourinho said after Sunday's win. He's right you know.
Sky Bet's Premier League title odds - 1/40
ARSENAL - 2nd, P32 Pts 66
Fixtures: Chelsea (h), Hull (a), Swansea (h), Manchester United (a), Sunderland (h), West Brom (h).
Average position of remaining opposition: 9.8
What a strange old season. Defeat against their north London rivals Tottenham in mid-February left Arsenal languishing in sixth, a point behind Spurs, with their hopes of 2015/16 Champions League qualification in tatters.
However, their best run of victories since the 'Invincibles' blitzed their way to title success in 2003/04 has seen the Gunners rocket up to second, and become Chelsea's nearest title rivals.
If Arsene Wenger's men are to secure their first Premier League crown since that famous unbeaten campaign, then victory over table-toppers Chelsea in their next league clash is a must, despite facing three of the bottom seven in the five matches following the London derby at Stamford Bridge on April 26.
"If they beat Chelsea, they will put some doubt in their mind," Thierry Henry said after the Gunners' Saturday Night Football victory over Burnley, signalling his belief the title race is not quite over just yet.
A trip to Old Trafford on May 17 to take on in-form Manchester United could decide who secures that second spot, but finishing in the top three, thus avoiding having to play a qualifier for next season's Champions League, would almost certainly appease the remaining disgruntled few around the Emirates.
Sky Bet's Premier League title odds - 25/1
MANCHESTER UNITED - 3rd P32 Pts 65
Fixtures: Chelsea (a), Everton (a) West Brom (h), Crystal Palace (a), Arsenal (h), Hull (a).
Average position of remaining opposition: 9.5
Louis van Gaal said it would take time, but Manchester United fans used to success were growing impatient.
However, six wins in a row, the most important of which came at the weekend as the 20-time top-flight champions demolished their 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City in the enthralling Super Sunday clash, shows that the Dutch supremo's revolution is finally starting to take shape.
Defeat at Swansea in late February left United staring at another season without Champions League football, but that run, coupled with a slightly favourable run-in, should see Van Gaal's men return to Europe's premier competition.
While the average position of United's final opponents is the lowest of the top six, avoiding playing sides fighting for survival (Everton, Palace and West Brom), in the form they are currently in, could suit the Red Devils.
"Next season, Van Gaal will look at games he's dropped points in in this season and will think because that level of performance has come now, they could win those games next season," Gary Neville said after the derby victory, but the Manchester United boss will not be thinking further ahead than securing a top-four finish just yet.
Sky Bet's Premier League title odds - 33/1
MANCHESTER CITY - 4th P32 Pts 61
Fixtures: West Ham (h), Aston Villa (h) Tottenham (a) QPR (h), Swansea (a), Southampton (h).
Average position of remaining opposition: 10.3
If United hadn't flopped to such a meek title defence last season, Manchester City's own meagre attempt to retain their league crown would have come under a great deal more scrutiny than it has.
It looked unthinkable to suggest that Manuel Pellegrini's men would finish outside the top four, but after a run of four defeats in their last six league outings, it is not only the Chilean's position that is in jeopardy.
Fortunately, City have one of the more favourable run-ins. Spurs away in early May are the highest-placed opponent left for the reigning champions.
However, City must be wary of sealing Champions League qualification early, or face a possible top-four showdown against Southampton - who have a similarly welcoming set of fixtures - on the final day.
"Southampton, Liverpool they are also behind us. We need to analyse what we are doing wrong and try to improve looking forward," City defender Pablo Zabaleta said after the derby defeat.
Looking over their shoulders when trying to hang onto fourth spot is something that nobody thought City players would be doing at this late stage.
Sky Bet's Premier League title odds - 100/1
LIVERPOOL - 5th P32 Pts 57
Fixtures: West Brom (a), Hull (a), QPR (h), Chelsea (a), Crystal Palace (h), Stoke
Average position of remaining opposition: 11.83
After going on such a long unbeaten run since the turn of the year, Liverpool looked a dead cert to secure another top-four finish.
However, defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal have derailed that bid, and with cup commitments to consider, the Reds are up against it to sneak in to that coveted group.
Victory over Newcastle in the Monday Night Football started a run of four matches the Anfield faithful will expect maximum points from before a trip to Stamford Bridge on May 10.
"You make mistakes at that age, I did, we all do. It’s just important that we learn from them. Raheem Sterling needs to be on the back pages, not the front pages," Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football, and he will be hoping Sterling's antics won't distract Liverpool from the task at hand.
Sky Bet's Premier League top-four odds - 9/2
SOUTHAMPTON - 6th P32 Pts 56
Fixtures: Stoke (a). Tottenham (h), Sunderland (a), Leicester (a), Aston Villa (h), Manchester City (a).
Avergage position of remaining opposition: 11.83
Many experts pick for manager of the year, Ronald Koeman has guided a new-look Southampton to the brink of the Champions League. If he does manage to snatch fourth, he'll surely be crowned the best in his profession.
After a phenomenal start, the Saints fell away somewhat, but one defeat in five leaves Koemen's men clinging on in the race for the top four, and their run-in means they cannot be discounted, especially with Graziano Pelle back in the goals at the right time.
Three of the bottom five lie in wait in their remaining fixtures, where maximum points could set us up for a grandstand finale at the Etihad on the final day in a winner-takes-all spectacular. Peter Crouch anyone?
"We are a little bit close but there are still six games to play," Koeman said. "But we will fight for the highest position in the table."
