EPL: Predictions for the Top Four Race

The title race (was it really a race?) is over and Manchester United have won their 20th League title. But, as usual, the race for the final two Champions League spots remains wide open and it’s down to the last four games. All combinations of final outcomes are possible, especially for Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

As things stand, Arsenal lead the race but have played more games. Let’s have a look at the run-ins for the three London teams and imagine the likely outcomes game by game. Starting with Arsenal:

Game 35: Manchester United Home

In recent years, Arsenal have rarely troubled United, home or away. If United were yet to seal the premiership title, I would expect nothing short of a win for the visitors. It seems that SAF will rest his key players for the game, and that might even things out.

Prediction: Arsenal 1 Man United 1 Arsenal Points Tally: 64

Game 36: QPR Away

Queens Park Rangers are bound for the Championship next season and morale is at an all time low. Their relegation could be confirmed by the time they face Arsenal and the Gunners will surely make the most of it.

Prediction: Arsenal 3 QPR 1 Arsenal Points Tally: 67

Game 37: Wigan Home

This will not be easy for Arsenal. Wigan are hanging on for dear life at the bottom of the Premiership table and will fight till the end to keep alive their Premier League hopes. The Gunners will have enough quality to see them off in my opinion.

Prediction: Arsenal 2 Wigan 1 Arsenal Points Tally: 70

Game 38: Newcastle Away

This fixture has produced some memorable games, the 4-4 a couple of seasons ago comes to mind. Generally, the Gunners have found it easy to get 3 points here and there is no reason why they cannot beat a struggling Newcastle side. Goals can be expected here.

Prediction: Arsenal 4 Newcastle 2 Arsenal Points Tally: 73

Now for the Chelsea run-in:

Game 34: Swansea City Home

Swansea are a tough nut to crack home or away, but one gets the feeling that the Welsh side has settled for mid table this season. It has been a good season for Swansea, and with a trophy in the cabinet, they will approach this game with a relatively relaxed mindset. Chelsea are hungry though, and will grind out the 3 points.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Swansea 1 Chelsea Points Tally: 65

Game 35: Manchester United Away

This is a tough fixture for any Premier League team. But Chelsea are the only side who have managed to trouble United at Old Trafford over the last decade. I expect these two giants to even out in Manchester.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1 Chelsea Points Tally: 66

Game 36: Tottenham Hotspurs Home

This is the most important game of the season for all three London clubs still in the Top 4 race. Arsenal will be hoping for a draw, no doubt. Chelsea will be a force at home and a lot will depend on Gareth Bale from the Spurs’ perspective. I expect Chelsea to come out on top, given their quality and home advantage.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Spurs 1 Chelsea Points Tally: 69

Game 37: Aston Villa Away

Villa will be fighting for Premier League survival and it won’t be easy for the Pensioners, but I expect Chelsea to get the job done at Villa Park.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 2 Chelsea Points Tally: 72

Game 38: Everton Home

It has been another ‘nearly’ year for Everton with regards to the top four and by the last game, they will be mathematically out of the running. I expect Chelsea to breeze past them at home.

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Everton 0 Chelsea Points Tally: 75

On paper (on this article at least), Chelsea look to have made it. Let’s see if Tottenham are likely to snatch the 4th spot away from Arsenal.

Game 34: Wigan Away

Wigan will not make it easy for Spurs in their quest for survival, but Spurs are on a high after beating Manchester City comfortably and will be favourites to get all 3 points here.

Prediction: Wigan 1 Spurs 3 Spurs Points Tally: 64

Game 35: Southampton Home

The Saints are comfortably mid table and will find it difficult to stop AVB’s men at White Hart Lane.

Prediction: Spurs 2 Southampton 0 Spurs Points Tally: 67

Game 36: Chelsea Away

As said earlier in the article, I expect Chelsea to take all 3 points here.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Spurs 1 Spurs Points Tally: 67

Game 37: Stoke Away

Yes, I predict a 0-0 draw! How many of those have you seen being predicted? Stoke away is never a comfortable fixture for North London teams and Spurs do have end of season mental (or gastronomic) issues and they are most likely to show up at a place like Stoke.

Prediction: Stoke City 0 Spurs 0 Spurs Points Tally: 68

Game 38: Sunderland Home

May 19th will be the climax of the season for these three sides and in my opinion, fourth place will be decided on this day. If you have been following the predictions, you can see that Arsenal will go in to Newcastle needing a win. Goal difference will not be a factor between Spurs and Arsenal because the latter are way ahead already. So, even a draw will do for Arsenal and St Totteringham Day will be celebrated despite a Spurs victory.

Prediction: Spurs 2 Sunderland 0 Spurs Points Tally: 71

So these are my predictions. If you have an opinion, feel free to use the comments section. Enjoy the season finale!