As Chelsea and Manchester City seem pretty certain to get first and second place, the race for the Champions League places is as exciting as ever. From now until May, 39 points are up for grabs and the teams in the mix will all be dreaming of Champions League football next year; and rightly so too. Unlike many other seasons, even third place doesn’t seem an impossibility for the likes of Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool with a relatively weak Manchester United occupying that position. With just five points separating third and seventh, here’s an overview on each team and prediction as to where they will finish.
Manchester United
Looking at the table, it doesn’t seem too bad for Man United fans. Their team sit in third place and look certain to achieve at least fourth, which should mean an immediate Champions League return. But for a club who spent just shy of £60 million on one player—who has barely received any criticism despite his poor displays—and countless millions on other players, they haven’t convinced many at all.
For many, the only reason why Manchester United are so far up the table is due to how poor the teams around them have been for large parts of the season. For instance, at this point last year Louis Van Gaal’s men would be joint fifth with Tottenham and three points off the top four. Had Liverpool and Arsenal not have got off to such an awful start, the top four would have been too far ahead of them. However, the fact is that they are there and although the defence suggests otherwise, they do look likely to finish at least fourth.
Prediction—4th
Key fixtures: Home—Spurs (15/03/15), City (11/04/15), Arsenal (16/05/15). Away—Liverpool (22/03/15), Chelsea (18/04/15)
Southampton
Perhaps the surprise package of this season, Southampton have had an unbelievable campaign. It’s hard to think that they lost Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers, all of whom bar the latter were regulars in the 13-14 season, to bigger teams and many tipped them to be in a relegation battle come May. On the contrary, Ronald Koeman has worked wonders with his team right from the off.
The summer transfers of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Shane Long, Sadio Mane and Fraser Forster—who has the most clean sheets in the league—have all proved to be master strokes with each having a huge part in their success so far. However, as much as it would be great to see the smaller team do it, the Saints won’t break the top four. The slip seems to have already started with them just picking up one win in their last four, this coming in the last minute at then managerless QPR. Now the teams around them finally seem to be hitting form and added to the fact they face both Chelsea and Manchester away from St Mary’s, fourth will be too far away.
Prediction—7th
Key fixtures: Home—Liverpool (22/02/15), Spurs (25/04/15). Away—Chelsea (15/03/15), Manchester City (24/05/15).
Arsenal
For some reason, Arsenal always find a way into the top four. After a poor start, the Gunners love to come to form at the most crucial part of the season and nick fourth place; almost guaranteeing Champions League football. The loss to Spurs, who finally look like they have matched them, was a setback in Arsenal’s bid for fourth but only a minor one—the deficit was made up immediately. Although they should get to at least the quarter-finals in the Champions League, a trophy which alludes Arsène Wenger, the main concern for Arsenal will be to remain in the top 4 and with the timely return of assist king Mesut Özil as well as Theo Walcott, both of whom seem already to be making an impact for their club, they should make fourth comfortably. What’s more, the fixture list looks kind and a higher finish is certainly on the cards.
Prediction—3rd
Key fixtures: Home—Liverpool (04/04/15), Chelsea (25/04/15). Away—Manchester United (16/05/15)
Tottenham
Say the word Tottenham Hotspur to anyone and you’ll soon hear Harry Kane’s name pop up. The 21-year-old Englishman has been simply superb for Spurs; netting thirteen goals in fifteen starts. The recent North London Derby win should have been something from which to push on, but a 3-2 loss at Anfield on Tuesday night was a bit of a blow. Without taking anything away from the performance, maybe they should have held out for a draw which would have been a valuable point away to an in form Liverpool side. Another worry for Spurs is their goal difference of five; the worst of the five teams around them. With the race being as close as ever, goal difference could have a big part to play as to whether they will make it into the top four, but even then, looking at the fixtures and the history of Spurs it is hard to see them breakthrough.
Prediction—6th
Key fixtures: Home—Manchester City (02/05/15). Away—Manchester United (15/03/15), Southampton (25/04/15).
Liverpool
It was always going to be hard for Liverpool after the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer, but not many would think they would have struggled so much. Before the season started, the signings looked to have strengthened the squad but none have made the impact they should have. Since Christmas the Reds have picked up the most points in the league, which is a startling contrast to their early season form. The return of Daniel Sturridge is a big boost and now Balotelli finally has his first premier league goal for the club—the winner in a crucial game at home to Spurs—a resurgence seems to be around the club. The next two fixtures see Liverpool travel away to Southampton before taking on Manchester City at home with their Europa league ties against Besiktas squeezed in the middle. Everyone knows it’s Steven Gerrard’s last season for the club and it would be fitting for them to finish in the top four, but perhaps an even more fitting farewell would be an FA Cup trophy for the captain, which seems much more likely.
Prediction—5th
Key fixtures: Home—Manchester City (01/03/15), Manchester United (22/03/15). Away—Southampton (22/02/15), Arsenal (04/04/15), Chelsea (09/05/15)
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