With Chelsea cruising clear at the top of the Premier League, there’s more excitement in store looking at the mad scramble for a top four finish and the Holy Grail of Champions League qualification.
Champions-elect Chelsea are home and hosed for a top four finish, as indicated by odds of 1-5000 with Bet365. The rest of the bookies have closed their book and who can blame them with Chelsea ten points clear at the top.
Currently sitting second, Spurs look a bit overpriced at 2-9 for a top four finish after Harry Kane’s injury, while Pep Guardiola definitely has his Manchester City side back on track after some goalkeeping and defensive nonsense earlier in the season. Betfair offer a best 1-5 on a City top four, which really is nailed on, compared to Spurs after Kane’s worrying knock could rule the England striker for an extended spell.
However, if you believe the bookies, it’s a three-horse race for the final fourth CL QU spot, between Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
With Arsenal and United involved in FA Cup action this weekend, both have a couple of games in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side who sit in the prized fourth spot at the moment, five and six points ahead of the Gunners and United respectively.
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United have been stuck in sixth spot since October and ultimately, Jose Mourinho’s stuttering side may consider winning the Europa League their best route to CL football. Mou’s men have suffered just three league defeats, the same as runaway leaders Chelsea. However, ten stalemates, including a 1-1 draw last time out against 10-man Bournemouth explain why the Reds are a massive 17 points behind Antonio Conte’s charges.
United are 2-1 for a top four spot with Betstars, while Arsenal are in a state of flux at the moment after that embarrassing humiliation against Bayern Munich in the CL. Arsenal can be backed at 6-4 across the board and you simply have to respect Arsene Wenger’s record of finishing in the top four for the last 20 seasons.
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Liverpool, with no European football at all this season, will be desperate to claim that final CL quali spot. Despite their poor start to the year, the Reds are in the box seat and firm favourites at 4-7 to bring CL football back to Anfield under the effervescent German.
Expect the enthralling race for the top four to go the wire, unlike Chelsea’s leisurely cruise to the Premier League title.
