Premier League EPL
Premier League

The Premier League is without a doubt the toughest league in the world but the way four of the finest English teams are fighting for a top-four finish, the situation looks comical at best.

Three out of the four Champions League spots are more or less engaged so Tottenham, Arsenal, Man United and West Ham United are now fighting for that final UCL spot on the table.

For large parts of the season, it was West Ham United who were occupying the fourth spot with all the other teams playing catch-up. Then, Arsenal tightened up their performance and at one point, it seemed like the Gunners have a massive advantage at finishing in the top-four.

They not only had a comfortable lead in this race plus, but they also had a few games in hand against the other suitors.

Now, all of a sudden, the Gunners have seen a massive dip in their form and at the same time, Spurs have hit managed to shift gears. The way Conte’s side had been playing, it seemed like they will keep this momentum going and grab that conclusive Champions League spot but guess what, the top-four race has once again tilted the scales.

A weekend of dropped points in the Premier League:

On Saturday, Spurs lost 1-0 to Brighton at home and then their North London rivals very aptly returned the compliment with a 1-0 loss to Southampton at home.

These results have now helped Manchester United who despite a poor performance vs Norwich City, managed to pick up all three points. This win means Man United have now climbed to the fifth spot on the Premier League table, above Arsenal.

West Ham United play on Sunday and if they can win against Burnley then Arsenal will tumble even further because the Hammers have a better goal difference than their North London rivals.

Which team are now the favourites to finish in the top four?

Spurs are fourth on the table with 57 points while West Ham United are currently seventh with 51 points which means the actual points difference is not too much.

Once the Hammers play vs Burnley on Sunday, they will have played 33 games while Spurs and Man United have played 32 games each.

Arsenal though have one game in hand so at least on paper, they can still claw back the deficit whereas David Moyes’ side have the smallest chance of rentering the Premier League top-four.

Can Arsenal still move above Spurs and Man United?

Arsenal have now lost three games in a row and their next two matches are against Chelsea and Manchester United respectively so there’s every chance that they won’t pick up any points in the next two gameweeks either. United take on Liverpool next and then they face Arsenal at the Emirates plus they still have to face Chelsea which means they too are likely to drop points during the remainder of the campaign.

Unfortunately or luckily(depending on which team you support), Spurs will also have to play Liverpool and then face Arsenal in a key North London Derby so their future is also very dicey.

West Ham United will need several things to go their way which is why we are not currently counting them in this equation plus they can still use the Europa League route to get back into the Champions League.

The way these sides are playing, no one can expect any sort of consistency from them so at the end of it all, whichever team is lucky might actually secure that evasive fourth spot on the Premier League table.

A possible late winner or one of their opponents picking up a red card will be the rub of the green that teams like Arsenal, Spurs or Manchester United will require to put their noses in front because it’s very clear that consistent top-quality football will not be their cup of tie anymore this season.

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