The 2021-2022 Premier League season is gradually coming to an end and the followers of the league are anxiously waiting to see how weak or strong the 20 clubs in the league would end the season. With less than 11 games left for most of the clubs in the league, most football enthusiasts are looking forward to how the battle for a top 4 finish would end.
As it stands, Manchester City is currently occupying the first spot with 73 points in 30 games while Liverpool are currently occupying the second spot with 72 points in 30 games, 13 points above third-placed Chelsea.
The fact that both Manchester City and Liverpool have 10 more games to play before the end of the 2021-2022 season ends, signifies that no club can overtake them again this season. Hence, the first spot and the second spot are sealed.
As for the third spot which is being occupied by Chelsea with 59 points in 29 games, the spot is still shaky but it is still 100 percent under the control of Chelsea. As it stands, Chelsea need to lose three games and the teams below them need to win all their remaining league games before Chelsea can fall off the spot.
Hence, the most opened slot in the top 4 is the 4th spot which is currently being occupied by Tottenham Hotspur with 54 points in 30 games, on equal point with 5th placed Arsenal, and three points above 6th placed West Ham United, and 7th placed Manchester United.
Note that any team that finishes in the top 4 on the Premier League table this season will play in the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League campaign.
Top 4 battle: Who Is More Positioned To Make The Last Spot Of The Champions League?
Since Chelsea is fully in control of the 3rd spot on the Premier League table, the only spot up for grab in the top 4 is the 4th spot.
Currently, four clubs have the mathematical chance of grabbing the fourth spot. Those clubs are: 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur with 54 points in 30 games, 5th placed Arsenal with 54 points in 29 games, 6th placed West Ham United with 51 points in 31 games, and 7th placed Manchester United with 51 points in 30 games.
Interestingly, Arsenal look like the most likely club that could grab the fourth spot because they are currently having the same points as fourth-placed Tottenham despite having a game in hand.
However, the remaining games Arsenal have to play this season would make it difficult for the club to achieve their target of finishing in the top 4.
For instance, Arsenal still have games against 3rd placed Chelsea, 7th placed Manchester United, 6th placed West Ham United, And 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Asides from those fixtures, they have games against unpredictable teams like Southampton, and Leeds United who have the potential to cause upsets. Hence, Arsenal can only guarantee a 4th placed finish if they can win the aforementioned fixtures.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, it is not rosy for them too. They still have games against second-placed Liverpool, stubborn Brentford, unpredictable Leicester City, and of course, 5th placed Arsenal.
All things being equal, the battle for the fourth place is between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. Based on the difficult games Arsenal still have to play, Tottenham Hotspur is most likely to grab the 4th spot ahead of Arsenal.
Arsenal’s next league game is against Brighton. The match will kick off at 15:00 later today, April 9, 2022, at the Emirates Stadium.
On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur’s next league game is against Aston Villa. The game is expected to kick off at 17:30 later today, April 9 at Villa Park.
