Manchester City and Liverpool have moved ahead from the bunch at the summit of the Premier League, and although their quest for the crown continues, they wouldn’t have to stress about qualifying for the Champions League. Likewise, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham are all on the hunt for the remaining two places in the final four. Regardless of what happens, all three sides will end in the final five.
Chelsea’s poor drive has brought them into the battle for the final four, although all they require are four points from their final three fixtures to qualify for the Champions League. Arsenal and Tottenham encounter each other on Thursday, which means at least one of the north London sides will forfeit points, thereby putting Chelsea forward to a top-four berth.
Manchester United, West Ham United, and Wolves are competing for sixth place, the final position in the Europa League group phase for the upcoming campaign. Although if Spurs drop their remaining three games, neither team can clinch fifth. United edge West Ham by three points, however, the Hammers have a match in play, which they play on Sunday versus Premier League toppers Manchester City.
Watford and Norwich City have previously been relegated (Fulham and Bournemouth will be upgraded), however one spot in the second Division still seems to be up for grabs. It’s up to Everton, Burnley, and Leeds, with the Toffees and Clarets both having a match in play over Jesse Marsch’s suffering club. 3 consecutive setbacks have knocked the sparkle off the American manager’s bloom, who must reverse his team’s destiny all while banking for a great chance elsewhere to keep his side in the Premier League.
Leeds will meet Brighton and Brentford, two challenging middle-table teams with little to compete for, whilst Everton will welcome Brentford and Crystal Palace before heading to Arsenal, and Burnley will meet Tottenham and Aston Villa before concluding at home versus Newcastle. The possibilities are endless, but Frank Lampard’s Everton is presently in the driver’s seat for their struggle to remain up. Inability to do so will have serious consequences, specifically for the Merseyside club.
The battle for safety goes on… pic.twitter.com/7mVP8Q4cNk
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 11, 2022
Approaching the weekend, 16th place Everton has 36 points, while 17th-place Burnley has 34 equivalent to 18th-place Leeds, except with a huge goal difference. Last August, placing 17th was certainly not an aim for any of the three, but today it’s everything that counts.
