With just 10 fixtures remaining we are still in the hunt for 4th position, and a Champions League spot, but have tough competition from Man City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool. I predict Tottenham finishing in 6th. See why below.
Not since the 2006-7 season have we been stood much of a chance of gaining a Champions League place – which I’m sure you remember was ended on the final day by a bout of food poisoning. Let’s hope that all meals are cooked to perfection for the remainder of the season!
So, let us look at the current situation and assess our chances of Champions League football at The Lane next year;
As I write we are sitting in 4th place on 49 points. Man City are right behind us on goal difference, but have a game in hand. Liverpool are in 6th on 48 points, but we have a game in hand over them. Villa are currently down in 7th with just 45 points BUT have 2 games in hand over the Spurs.
The battle for fourth place is still wide open. Wigan’s 1-0 win over Liverpool last night was well received, but they are still in it. Having said this they still have to travel to Old Trafford, and face a home tie against Chelsea before the season finale.
City have a home tie with United on the 17th April, and I’m positive Alex Ferguson and his team will be desperate to beat their bitter (and big spending) rivals – even more so due to the fight for the Premier League title. A trip to The Emirates awaits City the following week. Can they beat two title contenders consecutively?
A meeting with Aston Villa in the penultimate weekend of the league campaign could be one to watch out for.
Speaking of Aston Villa, a trip to Stamford Bridge looks to be their trickiest fixture, with a relatively easy run-in compared to City and Liverpool. Don’t forget the meeting with City on the 1st May though!
So, how about the mighty Tottenham Hotspur?
Unfortunately we have still to play all three of the title contenders before the season ends. Not just that, but on consecutive weekends.
Sat 10th April: Arsenal Home
Sat 17th April: Chelsea Home
Sun 25th April: Man Utd Away
Not good news there then. More annoyingly, we keep working our way through the FA Cup the hard way. How many more replays are we going to let congest our fixture list?!
Liverpool have the Europa League. Spurs and Villa have the FA Cup. City have only the Premier League to concentrate on.
For that reason, I predict big spenders Man City to take 4th place, with Villa close behind. I’m hoping we can take 6th place with Liverpool behind.
Before I get abuse, I’m just being realistic based on remaining fixtures. It’s not what I WANT to happen, but what I THINK will happen.
If you have a different opinion, share it in the comments section below!
