The race for a top-four finish in the Premier League seems destined to go right down to the wire, with a whole host of teams still boasting an opportunity to claw their way back into the hunt. Of course, the obvious favourites in the Premier League – top 4 finish betting odds are the sides in and around the top four already, namely Leicester City, West Ham United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
However, Arsenal are among three sides sitting just behind that could be in with a chance of sealing one of those Champions League positions if they can put together a good run of form towards the end of the season, the others being Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. Let’s take a look at each of the side’s chances of squeezing into those coveted positions in the table.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side have posted some mixed results of late, but if they can find some consistency heading into the final fixtures of the season then a charge into the top four could be on the cards. The disappointing defeat against Liverpool was followed by another less-than impressive display against Slavia Prague in the Europa League, but in beating Sheffield United 3-0, the Gunners have been given a much-needed confidence boost.
Arsenal’s run-in is relatively kind, although fixtures against Everton and Chelsea will be crucial if Arteta’s men are to have any chance of clambering up the table. Now would be the perfect time to put their inconsistent form behind them and knuckle down for the rest of the campaign.
Everton
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton side sit three points above Arsenal at the time of writing, and with a game in hand over the rest of the top-four contenders. That could be crucial in whether or not the Toffees can re-establish their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Having sat towards the top of the Premier League table for much of the early part of the campaign, Everton will feel that they owe it to themselves to put in a late charge.
With fixtures against Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City still to come this season, it’s fair to say that Everton will need a lot of hard graft and a little bit of luck if they are to sneak into the top four. But with a coach of Ancelotti’s calibre at the helm, you just never know.
Tottenham Hotspur
Although Tottenham Hotspur sit closest to the top four at the time of writing, it almost feels like they are least likely to be the side that makes a late bid for Champions League qualification. There appears to be a rather unpleasant atmosphere at the club, and José Mourinho’s reign seems to be on a downward spiral, with Spurs struggling since Arsenal handed them a 2-1 defeat in the North London Derby back in March.
Tottenham do have a relatively easy run-in, which could work in their favour should they manage to recover their best form. Their match against Leicester City on the final day of the season will be crucial if both sides are still in contention at that stage.