The Race for the Top Four Finish

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?

They both get in, 4th loses out.

They are still pretty strong with Sakho and Valencia up there but they won't get Top 4 with or without him

I think draws will get Southampton. The goals are drying up a bit - Three blanks in their last 6 matches, four goals, one of which was a goal from their only shot on target against United. They'll need 25 -ish points for 4th and that might be a bit too much for them.

If Pelle can start scoring again they have a chance but everything about him screams one hit wonder.

CSF wrote: »

It'd be 4th place in the league that would fall short, no?

Skylinehead wrote: »

They both get in, 4th loses out.

Makes sense, hope that happens and Spurs are 4th so :pac:

Much more likely that Arsenal get fourth and Spurs win the Europa.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

That's the thing, why is it that every year Arsenal will do whatever it takes to get 4th. But never more than that.

Eh I don't think they're choosing not to win the league. They're just not good enough.

SlickRic wrote: »

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.

They always do enough in fairness but this year is slightly different as they will have an extra two teams fighting them for 4th place. It is usually only one team and die off near the end. They have to fall out eventually.

bad2dabone wrote: »

I'm not convinced arsenal will get 4th this season. Both pool and Spurs in good form, United are horrible but getting points. As previously mentioned Southampton having goal trouble but their defensively sound.
This could be the season we miss out.

If it did happen, would that be the end for Wenger? Assuming he doesn't win any other silverware.

bad2dabone wrote: »

Not from the club hierarchy, no. The fans would be upset no doubt. Atmosphere would be a bit **** for a while. He'd have to buy a superstar to keep people happy.

Bad start to the following season would only make that atmosphere worse.
I'd find it strange that the club hierarchy wouldn't act on such failure and Wenger might find it hard to sign a superstar if they ain't in the Euro Champ League.
Ye only have London going for ye then.

What I'd love to see :
1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Southampton


What will likely happen :
1. Chelsea
2. Man City
3. Arsenal
4. Man Utd

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

rarnes1 wrote: »

Southampton have only 4 draws all season. Utd have 8 as a comparison.

They have a great goal difference unlike Liverpool and Spurs who are really another point behind with such an abysmal record

I'm more focusing on the fact that the goals are starting to dry up a bit for them. They are set up very solidly but are lacking a bit in attack which is becoming more evident and will result in more draws imo.

niallo27 wrote: »

Southampton won't get top 4. Lets be realistic here. It would take 3 out of the 4 teams having a really poor run in which won't happen.

They have the most manageable fixtures and have a point on Arsenal, 3 on Tottenham and 4 on Liverpool with a far superior goal difference to the last two. With no other cup distractions like the 3 above and United, they have every chance.

Shanotheslayer wrote: »

It's funny that so many people are ruling out Southampton. If Liverpool/United where in their situation they'd think they would have a great chance. Why should Southampton be any different? If you're going on the bases of the other teams have more experience etc with that pressure. Than Liverpool should have crumbled last season. Hope Southampton do it. Would be great to see

It's probably because people rate Southampton's squad as 6th strongest at most.

All their rivals seem to have another gear available, particularly up front.

It mightn't matter in the end; it's certainly not impossible that they'll make it. It just doesn't seem likely with the likes of Arsenal and Utd having so much attacking talent and picking up points fairly consistently and Liverpool and Spurs coming into form.

I just reckon with Utd and Arsenals experience of being in the top 4, it will drga them over the line.

Certainly a good battle between 5 teams for probably 2 spaces, I cant see City sliding down to 3rd but even if they do, they wont fall out of the top 4.

Cat firmly amongst the pigeons now.

For all the talk of Southampton getting screwed today, they deserved a penalty alright, but from their only attack of any real substance.

That's their problem.

They're very well set up and competent in every area of the pitch, but they just have nothing like the quality up front required to duke it out with the big boys.

They're a quality team in general and they should get one of the last EL spots for next season, and after getting gutted in the summer, that's a brilliant showing, but I never really believed they were going to be able to maintain their early season form.

Beefy78 wrote: »

The table doesn't lie. After 38 games you finish where you should. Manchester United are not one of the four best sides in England and won't therefore finish in the top four and there's nothing they can do about it.

The table does lie. It hardly shows results that you didn't deserve so in that regard it's not indicative of a team's ability. If a team won every game 1-0 because of a dodgy penalty and another won every game bar one 3-0 and that was down to a dodgy penalty given to the other team then who's the better team that season? Very macro example but I know which one I'd have.

Good weekends for United and Arsenal but a brilliant performance from Liverpool makes them favourites for third now imo. Seems the majority were right about Southampton dropping off, while Spurs lost more ground on the leading pack without getting to play. Are City in a dog fight now for top 4?

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

If you think Liverpool are favs for third I urge you to make money on it:

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/top-4-finish

Definitely having some of that. In great form and knocking off the harder opponents.

I'm inclined to think 11/8 on Liverpool for top 4 is very nice myself. That performance today looked like 13/14 Liverpool.

Looks like we're in for a superbly entertaining finish to this.

Can you imagine if chelsea lost a couple of games and they got dragged down to the rest christ it'd be some ending to the season