With the 2020-21 season coming to its conclusion, the race for the top 4 has further intensified. The current PL table looks like:
Finishing in the top 4 is one of the biggest priorities on English football clubs. This is because clubs finishing the season on those positions have a guaranteed spot in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Whereas the club finishing 5th, gets to play Europa league and 6th positioned club has to play the qualifying rounds to find themselves in the Europa League.
As we can see, Manchester City, who is on the top of the table has almost won the league thus claiming the top position.
Manchester United, with 33 games played has 67 points, which is 4 points more than the 3rd place team with a game in hand as well. So most likely this club has also secured the top 4 place. In all likelihood, Manchester United might finish where they are and are not expected to drop their position.
Now we shall talk about the remaining 6 clubs who are in contention for the last 2 spots in the race to a top 4 finish.
Leicester City
The team has looked excellent throughout the season with a little dip in form in recent times. They have just won 2 out of their last 6 games and need to pull their socks up to get a spot in the Champions League. They have a FA Cup final to look forward too, but their main priority would be to secure a top 4 finish. The in-form Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho must give manager Brendon Rogers a lot more security over their season-end target.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel has completely transformed Chelsea in his 3-month tenure. From playing 4-3-3, Chelsea has shifted to a back 5 which solidifies their defense and gives their wing-backs an opportunity to make forward runs. This has made a massive difference. Not only are Chelsea favorites to secure a top 4 finish, but they are also in the Champions League semi-final and a FA Cup final to play for. Chelsea has just lost 1 PL game under Tuchel so far.
West Ham
Manager David Moyes has made West Ham look a totally different team. Nobody would have thought in the season opener that by the end of it, West Ham will be fighting for a top 4 finish. New singing Jesse Lingard from Manchester United has had a phenomenal season along with the likes of Tomas Soucek, Aaron Cresswell and so on. The Hammers playing in the Champions League would be a sight to watch.
Tottenham Hotspur
With the sacking of Jose Mourinho, there is added pressure on new manager Ryan Mason who has also been a former player of this club. Tottenham have no other competition to focus on except the PL and stars like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min would be more than determined to fight for a place in the top 4. They have 56 points are still 5 points behind Chelsea, who are placed 4th. They would want to win all their remaining fixtures which are against Leeds, Wolves, Aston Villa, and Leicester City to have a chance for a place in the top 4.
Liverpool
The defending champions are not having the best of seasons having made a promising start to the campaign. They are now placed 7th with 54 points and 33 games played. The match against Manchester United was called off due to protests in Manchester perhaps adding a mid-week fixture for both teams. The absence of star defender Virgil Van Djik was one of the reasons for the derailing of Liverpool FC who is rock solid at the back. Star players such as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino haven’t looked at their best either. It will be a shame if Liverpool miss out on a top 4 finish which is looking very likely considering the number of points they are on and of course their recent form.
Who do you think will secure the top 4 finishers in the Premier League?
Written by: Aditya Paharia
