The race for a top-four finish is well and truly on. Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton means that the teams chasing them for a Champions League place can close the gap ever further if they get all three points tomorrow.
Manchester United face Arsenal tomorrow in what has now turned into a huge game which could see United go level on points with Tottenham which seems remarkable when you take into account the huge points difference that seperated the two sides back in December, when Jose Mourinho was at the helm. That is testament to the fantastic job that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done at Old Trafford, also taking them to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, if North London rivals Arsenal get the win they will be just one point behind Spurs, breathing down their necks. Also in the running are Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea side who are taking on Wolves on Sunday afternoon. That will be a tough game but if they can bag that win the that puts them just two points behind Spurs in the Premier League table.
In the Premier League at least, Spurs’ form has gone out of the window in recent weeks. They have lost to Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton, whilst escaping with a draw against Arsenal after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a last minute penalty for the Gunners.
That makes it four games without a win for Spurs in the league but their form in the Champions League has been good. A 4-0 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund sent them through to the last eight and perhaps one of themselves and Manchester United will be targetting winning that competition to take the pressure off their league form.
The Europa League also gives Chelsea and Arsenal a get out of jail free card, as winning that competition means Champions League football the following season. This means, we could, if English clubs shine in Europe and win both competitions, see six English Clubs in the Champions League next season!
The race is on.
