Premier League top-four race: What are the key fixtures?
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With Liverpool and Manchester City clear at the top of the Premier League, it’s down to Leicester, Chelsea, Man United and Wolves to fight it out for the last remaining pair of Champions League spots.
The two sides in blue currently hold the advantage and have done for a long while, but with the end of the season drawing ever nearer, it’s those dressed in gold and red who are in better form.
So, who’ll get their nose in front when push comes to shove on July 26th? We’ve taken a look at four key fixtures which could decide the fate of the top-four race, irrespective of Man City’s UEFA appeal.
Spurs v Leicester, 19th July
Tottenham need a minor miracle to scrape a Champions League place. And while Jose Mourinho did provide a second coming at Chelsea, he may have to settle for being a kingmaker this time around.
That won’t bother the temperamental Portuguese boss, who loves nothing more than to spoil a party. Brendan Rodgers will need no reminding of what happened when the pair met at Anfield back in April 2014.
There’ll be no Demba Ba to inflict similar pain on the Ulsterman here, although he will need his side to overcome a poor record in this part of North London. The Foxes have only won once away at Spurs since 2000.
Liverpool v Chelsea, 22nd July
While few clubs relish a trip to Anfield, Chelsea may well be looking forward to their visit to the North West.
That’s because unlike Leicester, Man United and Wolves, all of whom faced a Liverpool side firing on all cylinders, Frank Lampard’s men are taking on a Reds outfit who are coasting as the season draws to a close.
Manchester City took them apart at the Etihad, and if Aston Villa could’ve brought on Juan Pablo Angel, Stiliyan Petrov and Gabby Agbonlahor, they may have pinched a result too.
Liverpool aren’t quite there for the taking, but Chelsea have a decent record up on Merseyside and will fancy their chances in a match where they could seal that coveted Champions League spot.
Chelsea v Wolves, 26th July
If the job still isn’t done for Chelsea by the time the final whistle blows at Anfield, then it could all come down to this huge clash on the final day of the season.
The hosts won the reverse fixture 5-2 at Molineux back in August 2019, but Wolves are unbeaten in London since they returned to the Premier League last season.
It’s all set up for a winner-takes-all shootout, although both sides will be hoping they’ve done enough to secure a top-four spot before the newest battle of Stamford Bridge.
Leicester v Man United, 26th July
Likewise, we could be set for another final day shootout up the road at the King Power as Leicester host Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have set the division alight since the restart, while the Foxes have taken a little bit of time to get up to speed.
You can throw a blanket over them in the current table, but how close will they be on the final day of the season? We can’t wait to find out.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
