Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League standings, Tottenham Hotspur have had a season full of ups and downs. Results such as the 5-3 against league leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane have showed that Spurs have the quality to compete against the best teams in the league. Other results, such as the 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion at home have shown the weaknesses in Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Even after a season of inconsistency, Tottenham find themselves seven points outside of the top four. Are the Spurs a realistic chance of finishing in the top four though? Here is a look at each team in the hunt and their chances.
Manchester City
The days of a two horse race to the end with Chelsea seem over as Manchester City’s form has dipped in recent times. After the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace the reigning champions have dropped to fourth with 61 points, and they need to turn their form around if they wish to keep their Champions League spot, and relieve pressure on their manager, Manuel Pellegrini.
Other recent losses to Liverpool and struggling Burnley have heaped pressure onto the Chilean manager, who would be hoping his side can turn their fortunes around quickly with fixtures against Tottenham, Southampton and old foes Manchester United. City cannot afford to continue to drop points.
Arsenal
A late resurgence has seen Arsenal rocket to second with 63 points, and are playing some of the better football of any side in the competition. Oliver Giroud is in career best form, winning player of the month for March, having scored five goals during the month.
Arsene Wenger has his side playing fantastic football at the right end of the campaign, with Arsenal having taken all 12 points from their previous four fixtures. The Gunners do have a difficult run home, however, as they host Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side. A trip to Old Trafford could prove important in the run home also. If they can navigate these difficult matches, they can seal second spot and automatic qualification into next year’s Champions League.
Manchester United
A resurgent Manchester United has in the past three weeks beaten fellow top four contenders Liverpool and Tottenham, strengthening their grip on third place. Now sitting 8 points clear of Liverpool and even ahead of their cross town rivals, United boss Louis Van Gaal would be feeling confident his side could hold off any challenge for their spot.
The recent turn in form of midfield duo Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick has been instrumental in the Red Devils’ run of form, and the pair will need to continue this until May. Games against City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the run home provide a stern challenge. Certainly not secure in the four, but in control of their own fate.
Liverpool
Their convincing defeats at the hands of Arsenal and United have put Liverpool’s hopes of a top four berth almost beyond reach. Other than matches against leaders Chelsea, however, the Reds have a good run home and have certainly showed form good enough to warrant a top four place. The imminent return of Daniel Sturridge and the impressive form of key player Philippe Coutinho bodes well for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Riding high on the emotion of Steven Gerrard’s last Premier League season, can Liverpool pull a rabbit out of the hat and finish in the Champions League places? They certainly seem the most likely to disrupt the current standings.
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Southampton
No matter how this season finishes for Southampton, it can be considered a rousing success by the Saints. Widely tipped to finish mid table, Ronald Koeman has led his side perfectly, however, they now sit eight points outside of fourth. Led by the likes of Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton have defied all expectations and have become everyone’s second favourite side.
Have an excellent run home, facing just Manchester City and Tottenham of the top seven sides. Losses to Liverpool at home and West Brom away in succession look to have hurt the Saints, however. If they do somehow make a Champions League place, it would be remembered as one of the great achievements by a club in recent memory. Not likely, but not impossible.
Tottenham
Recent form suggests that the top four may just be a step beyond Tottenham this season. A 3-0 loss against Manchester United, a far from convincing 4-3 win against Leicester City and a dull 0-0 draw with Burnley in the previous fixtures illustrate how the Spurs have lacked consistency all season.
At their best, however, Tottenham have shown that they can trouble any side, no matter who it is. With Harry Kane, Andros Townsend and Ryan Mason all coming back after their recent England successes, confidence will be high in the Spurs camp. A good run home, with matches against only Southampton and City of the top sides, combined with this confidence could provide Tottenham with the spark they needed. Will need a minor miracle based on recent results, however.
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