The end of the Premier League season is almost upon us but we are no closer to knowing the four teams that will play in the Champions League next season. League leaders Chelsea and their closest neighbours Tottenham Hotspur have all but secured their place in the competition, but who will take up the last two places? Here are the chances for Arsenal, Liverpool Manchester City and Manchester United to qualify for the UCL next season:
Arsenal – 30%:
GP: 32 PW: 60
The Gunners have now taken six points from the last two games, having won just two in the last 10 before them. They still have to face the Spurs and the Red Devils while games against Southampton and Everton are not easy either.
They also play at the BET365 in their penultimate game and though they end the season against Sunderland, they are facing one of the toughest rounds of fixtures and will have to be at their best to move into the top-4 come to the end of the season.
Liverpool – 70%:
GP: 34 PW: 66
If not for their frailties against smaller clubs, Liverpool are all but into the Champions League. But the loss against Palace recently has pushed them closer to the Manchester duo below them, leaving them with work to do for the rest of the season.
Liverpool play Watford, West Ham United, Southampton and Middlesbrough in the remaining fixture and the Riverside outfit is the only opposition the fans will be confident of taking a result from. They have struggled against teams like West and Southampton and these two fixtures, along with their trip to the Vicarage Road, could decide their league position at the end of the season.
Manchester City – 85%
GP: 34 PW: 66
Though were held at home 0-0 by Manchester United recently, Manchester City are in the best position to move into the next round. They are just a point off Liverpool in the 3rd place and will play three home games against Crystal Palace, Leicester City and West Brom after the trip to the Riverside.
They finish their season at the Vicarage Road which is also not a nervous fixture and if they can be consistent for the rest of the season, they are front runners in this quartet to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Manchester United – 50%
GP: 34 PW: 65
With Europa League still keeping them busy, Manchester United have the toughest run-in to the end of the campaign. They play every midweek from now to the end of the season and still have to travel to London twice to face Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on either side of their Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo.
They also have to face Southampton and Crystal Palace, two teams that have proven hard to beat this season while Paul Clement’s Swansea forced them into a lucky draw. United need to take maximum points from the remaining fixtures and cannot afford to drop any if they are to qualify for the Champions League.
But with the Europa League also giving them a backdoor into the UCL, it might not be long before Mourinho decides to concentrate on the knockout competition to reduce the burden on the squad.
Who do you think will qualify for the Champions League next season?
