With Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea pretty much certain to finish in the top 3 I thought it would be interesting to look at the next five teams below that trio to see who will take the fourth Champions League places, who will take the UEFA places and who will end up with nothing.
EVERTON: Currently they are in 4th place with 47 points. Although they are currently in the Champions League driving seat they do have, at least on paper one of the toughest run ins. The UEFA competition they are currently in could be more of a burden the further they get as one eye becomes focused on a European trophy. Also they play Euro place rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, Liverpool at Anfield and Arsenal at the Emirates. Home games also see them play Portsmouth, Chelsea and Villa. I can see them getting 14 points from their remaining games leaving them on 61pts.
LIVERPOOL: Currently 5th, a game in hand on 44pts. Knocked out of the FA Cup and consistently not performing to ‘their’ level I see the game in hand not helping them much at all. Champions League is now their only chance of silverware this season and so I am sure Benitez will rotate his squad many times before the season ends. Their toughest games will come at Arsenal and Man Utd and I really do not see them taking points at either. Everton will certainly be up for the Merseyside derby as they try to end higher than their local rivals and City and Blackburn will both look to take points from them as they look to a strong finish. 16pts from their run in will see them end with 60pts and below Everton.
ASTON VILLA: 6th on 44 pts and below Liverpool on goal difference only. No outside distractions for Villa. Out of the FA Cup, no European games and not in the League cup final means they have clear focus on the run in. Having said that they have to play Arsenal and Utd away, as well as playing in a midlands derby. However Martin O’Neills side are in the best position to make a good run at the Champions League spot. 17 points from their final games sees them also on 61pts but just below Everton on goal difference.
MANCHESTER CITY: 7th on 44 pts with the worst goal difference of them all. Like Villa, City have no distractions during the run in and will be boosted by the derby double this season. Unlike Villa though four of their five key games are at Eastlands, which has been a fortress this season. 18 pts from the remaining games will see City end on 62pts, knocking Everton into UEFA place and Liverpool out of Europe places totally.
PORTSMOUTH: 41pts and a real chance of getting to the FA Cup final at Wembley will see Portsmouth really suffer in their run in. Though they do not have to play any of the ‘Big 4’ they do have to go away to Everton and City as well as host Villa and Blackburn. I only can see them getting 14 pts from the remaining games leaving them 55pts and out of Euro contention, though they could qualify still through the FA Cup.
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