The Race for the Top Four Finish

Harry Palmr

Looking past Chelsea and in all likelihood City which of the best of the rest is likely to finish in a Champions League position?

thanks to gafferino for this on the Liverpool thread (West Ham supporters may argue about their exclusion though)



Taking into account other commitments (CL, EL and FA Cup), the nature of the runs in and the various squads talent and fitness levels which two will make it from the five?

Be warned the poll is public!

Oranage2

Southampton

3rd Arsenal
4th united
5th spurs
6th Southampton
7th Liverpool

Though united and arsenal could switch places, same with Southampton and Liverpool

GavRedKing

Southampton

3rd Utd
4td Arsenal
5th Pool
6th Spurs
7th Southampton

Kirby

Tottenham Hotspur

I'm the only one who voted for Southampton. Why does nobody else believe? :P

darced

Manchester Utd

This post has been deleted.

OwaynOTT

Manchester Utd

Liverpool and Spurs all the way both of them are playing well and winning, as opposed to playing shoite and winning.

OwaynOTT

Manchester Utd

Also keep in mind, Liverpool are top of the all important calendar league.

OwaynOTT

Manchester Utd

Seriously though, It will be incredible difficult for Liverpool to get third with their commitments in two cups, unlike Southampton, Utd and Spurs.
Only plus is we've to play all our rivals, so could be possible.
Should be a good run in though.

Fromvert

Arsenal and United top four by just a few points.
Think Liverpool have left themselves too much to do but think they'll pip Spurs for 5th.
Southampton won't collapse but will gradually fall out to 7th.

Southampton and Spurs

theoneeyedman

Arsenal third.
Dogfight for 4th. Utd in pole but would be good to see Southampton maintaining form and taking it. Poor first half of season to cost Liverpool.

monkey9

3rd Arsenal
4th Man U
5th Liverpool
6th Spurs
7th Southampton.

vicwatson

May I ask why West Ham United arent considered? Just sayin', we're still in with a shout at present.

Lovely Bloke

Southampton

because Sam Allardyce.

elefant

Tottenham Hotspur

I have a feeling it will be Arsenal and Southampton.
Intriguing battle though!

LuckyLloyd

Southampton

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

because Sam Allardyce.

Don't think Allardyce is the issue tbh. Just not convinced their squad is strong enough to maintain the ppg average required from here through the end of the season (2+).

chelseaaremagic

Tottenham Hotspur

im with elefant southampton and arsenal

Beefy78

Liverpool

Liverpool are playing really well at the moment but I'm not sure they have enough depth and I think are only two injuries away from a slump. Fair play to them for getting back into the pack though.

I picked Arsenal and Spurs a few weeks ago and will stick with them. Arsenal have by far the best players of the candidates and really should be challenging for second. Spurs are playing well and Kane has injected a real level of confidence there. Plus I rate the manager.

I know that United are getting results but they still look so bad almost all of the time. If they make the top four it will be a great achievement.

adox

Southampton

Arsenal and Utd although as a Utd fan my biggest concern would be Liverpool.

Theres no way Southampton will be there imo.

SM01

Southampton

Can't separate Arsenal and United for 3rd and 4th. Liverpool 2-3 points behind with Spurs a point behind again in 6th.

Roanmore

Southampton

Fourth could be irrelevant if Spurs or Liverpool win Europa League.

sky88

Roanmore wrote: »

Fourth could be irrelevant if Spurs or Liverpool win Europa League.

fourth will still get in this year as they changed the rules.

Oranage2

Southampton

Roanmore wrote: »

Fourth could be irrelevant if Spurs or Liverpool win Europa League.

I believe the only way fourth doesn't qualify for the cl, would be if arsenal win the champions league and finish outside the top 4.

Roanmore

Southampton

My mistake, thought it was this year's winners:o

Edit: just seen that the max number per country has been increased to 5

Will I Amnt

Absolutely no idea what way it will go from 3rd to 6th. It's going to be one hell of a battle for those 2 places.

CSF

Southampton

adox wrote: »

Arsenal and Utd although as a Utd fan my biggest concern would be Liverpool.

Theres no way Southampton will be there imo.

What makes you believe the final 13 games will be so different to the first 25? 16 goals conceded in 25 games doesn't happen by accident IMO.

CSF

CSF wrote: »

What makes you believe the final 13 games will be so different to the first 25? 16 goals conceded in 25 games doesn't happen by accident IMO.

Southampton have the best run in too imo.

I think they'll take a spot

Speak Now

I think Southampton and Arsenal for 3rd and 4th, all assuming City don't make it a race for 2nd of course! Spurs to win in Europe to secure 5th European Cup spot.

DaveSuarez

Southampton

People have been waiting for Southampton to fall away since October.

I think Arsenal and United will get both spots though.

CSF

Southampton

rarnes1 wrote: »

Southampton have the best run in too imo.

I think they'll take a spot

Think they may just miss out myself, but they have every chance.

vicwatson

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

because Sam Allardyce.

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Don't think Allardyce is the issue tbh. Just not convinced their squad is strong enough to maintain the ppg average required from here through the end of the season (2+).

You don't? and you think Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs do. Hmmm

OwaynOTT

Manchester Utd

Will I Amnt wrote: »

Absolutely no idea what way it will go from 3rd to 6th. It's going to be one hell of a battle for those 2 places.

So you don't have any room for Liverpool? Only 4 points behind 4th and still have to play all their competitors and according to a lot on here, Liverpool can always raise their game against the bigger clubs.

OwaynOTT

OwaynOTT wrote: »

So you don't have any room for Liverpool? Only 4 points behind 4th and still have to play all their competitors and according to a lot on here, Liverpool can always raise their game against the bigger clubs.

Probably a typo..

Irishcrx

Southampton

I think Utd will finish 3rd, yes they are playing badly but still grinding out wins/points they've been playing so badly in fact that they can only get better...

Couldn't bet against Arsenal for 4th, they always manage it in the end.

adox

Southampton

CSF wrote: »

What makes you believe the final 13 games will be so different to the first 25? 16 goals conceded in 25 games doesn't happen by accident IMO.

I think the likes of Arsenal Utd and Liverpool have bigger squads and more experience in run ins at the latter part of the season. Its a lot harder to keep picking up points later in the season when it really has a lot riding on it.

I dont think Spurs will get a place either. Its two from the above three.

Will I Amnt

OwaynOTT wrote: »

So you don't have any room for Liverpool? Only 4 points behind 4th and still have to play all their competitors and according to a lot on here, Liverpool can always raise their game against the bigger clubs.

I think you misunderstand me. I've no idea who will occupy the places from 3rd to 6th.

CSF

Southampton

adox wrote: »

I think the likes of Arsenal Utd and Liverpool have bigger squads and more experience in run ins at the latter part of the season. Its a lot harder to keep picking up points later in the season when it really has a lot riding on it.

I dont think Spurs will get a place either. Its two from the above three.

Arguably, the point of the season where big squads come into play most has already passed.

Experience may play a part, but your writing off of Southampton is extremely premature IMO, especially since the pressure has been on them for a decent spell now already and they've coped very well with it.

SlickRic

Arsenal are nailed on for one of the two spots. when will some people learn?

if Sturridge stays fit and firing, then Liverpool have a decent shout, but if i had to bet, i'd say Utd at this stage.

if Utd played a balanced midfield with Rooney up top, this question wouldn't even be a question IMO and Utd would be guaranteed to be in, but i'm hoping LVG's stubborn streak remains from that point of view.

adox

Southampton

CSF wrote: »

Arguably, the point of the season where big squads come into play most has already passed.

Experience may play a part, but your writing off of Southampton is extremely premature IMO, especially since the pressure has been on them for a decent spell now already and they've coped very well with it.

You could be right. Its pure speculation on my part but I just dont see them finishing top 4.

Skylinehead

Southampton

vicwatson wrote: »

You don't? and you think Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs do. Hmmm

There's not any doubt whatsoever that every one of those teams have better squads than West Ham IMO.

rob316

Manchester Utd

Southampton have done exceptionally well and are thoroughly deserving of a spot and it will be an amazing achievement considering they were in League One a few seasons ago. Actually there isn't words to describe it if they do it.

However, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs were so bad starting off Southampton have been under very little pressure from the regular chasing pack.
Southampton are struggling to score goals now and it couldn't have come at a worse time. If Liverpool beat them next the gap will be closed to 1 point. That will be the real test of Southampton can they handle the pressure with virtually no experience.

eagle eye

Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal and Southampton for me. Southampton have been very consistent and I think they will keep it going all the way to the finising line. Against West Ham the other night they were so unlucky not to win. The have to face Tottenham and Liverpool, along with City and Chelsea, over the remainder of the season. I think the Tottenham and Liverpool games will decided their fate and I fancy them to beat both those teams.

Arsenal have hit form everywhere on the field and with Walcott back, Gabriel Paulista added to the CB depth and other regular starters due back from injury I just don't see them losing too many games over the remainder of the season. They will face United away with Liverpool at home, as well as Chelsea and again the two games against the other contenders for third and fourth will probably decide their fate.

United have to face Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal, and also City and Chelsea, and while they have it in their own hands I just think they won't get enough points from those games to make it.

LuckyLloyd

Southampton

vicwatson wrote: »

You don't? and you think Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs do. Hmmm

No I don't either, hence why I voted Arsenal and Utd?

DaveSuarez

Southampton

vicwatson wrote: »

You don't? and you think Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs do. Hmmm

West Ham are 8 points behind 4th with only 39 points left to play for and 5 better squads ahead of them fighting for 2 spots. They haven't a hope.

MR NINE

Liverpool

Arsenal and utd have to be the clear favourites imo. Id be amazed if arsenal didnt finish in the top four. Man utd are playing poorly and grinding out results, however they have a decent head start on spurs and liverpool who both have european and domestic cups to contend with, which will probably result in them dropping points they perhaps wouldnt have otherwise. I think spurs and liverpool are better teams than utd at the moment, but they would need to have very impressive run ins to overtake them. Utd are getting results almost in spite of van gaals selections/tactics but hes clearly not a bad manager and hes made them a hard team to beat even if its not pretty. With the likes of de gea, di maria, rooney, rvp and mata in the squad theres no question the quality is there to win games and i believe van gaal will improve his team selections and performance eventually.

As for southampton, im fairly certain theyre gonna fall short. Theyve been impressive this season and are an incredibly solid team but they lack the depth and quality to maintain their challenge imo. Their squad is thin and their form is dipping, recent results have shown theyre gonna struggle for goals in the run in. Pelle has scored two league goals since october and they have no viable alternative at the moment, tadic has suffered a major dip in form and is only occasionally starting games at the moment. I think theyll continue to be solid in defence but theyll drop points in games where their rivals would be winning and theyll eventually be overtaken by most or all of the contenders.

eagle eye

Tottenham Hotspur

MR NINE wrote: »

Arsenal and utd have to be the clear favourites imo. Id be amazed if arsenal didnt finish in the top four. Man utd are playing poorly and grinding out results, however they have a decent head start on spurs and liverpool who both have european and domestic cups to contend with, which will probably result in them dropping points they perhaps wouldnt have otherwise. I think spurs and liverpool are better teams than utd at the moment, but they would need to have very impressive run ins to overtake them. Utd are getting results almost in spite of van gaals selections/tactics but hes clearly not a bad manager and hes made them a hard team to beat even if its not pretty. With the likes of de gea, di maria, rooney, rvp and mata in the squad theres no question the quality is there to win games and i believe van gaal will improve his team selections and performance eventually.

As for southampton, im fairly certain theyre gonna fall short. Theyve been impressive this season and are an incredibly solid team but they lack the depth and quality to maintain their challenge imo. Their squad is thin and their form is dipping, recent results have shown theyre gonna struggle for goals in the run in. Pelle has scored two league goals since october and they have no viable alternative at the moment, tadic has suffered a major dip in form and is only occasionally starting games at the moment. I think theyll continue to be solid in defence but theyll drop points in games where their rivals would be winning and theyll eventually be overtaken by most or all of the contenders.

Southampton have 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 10 Premier league games. That sort of form over a season would go close to winning the league. How on earth can you say their recent form is not good enough?

MR NINE

Liverpool

eagle eye wrote: »

Southampton have 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 10 Premier league games. That sort of form over a season would go close to winning the league. How on earth can you say their recent form is not good enough?

In their last three games they lost at home to a bad swansea side, won with a last minute winner against a very poor qpr side and drew at home to 10 man west ham. Those kinda results dont get you top four.

Combined with the fact their only fit striker has scored two league goals since october and theyve named only six substitutes on more than one occassion im confident their lack of depth and firepower up front will be their downfall. I could be wrong, itd be great if they finished in the top four, but I just cant see it happening

MR NINE

Liverpool

Also, youre wrong, they have six wins two draws and two defeats

GavRedKing

Southampton

What if Arsenal win the UCL and Liverpool win the Euopa League and both finish outside the top 4?

The chances of all that happening are basically zero but would the UCL winner get preference over the EL winner in taking the 5th spot?

ronjo

Southampton

GavRedKing wrote: »

What if Arsenal win the UCL and Liverpool win the Euopa League and both finish outside the top 4?

The chances of all that happening are basically zero but would the UCL winner get preference over the EL winner in taking the 5th spot?

Thats a bit unfair Gav..... Surely Pool have a tiny chance of the Europa league?

Not sure what would happen there. Neither will happen imo. Liverpool don't set up well for Europe defensively and Arsenal are Arsenal in the CL.