The race for the Premier League’s fourth and final Champions League spot looks set to go to the wire, with just four three points separating Spurs in fourth and Manchester United in seventh.
Spurs’ 5-1 thumping of Newcastle means Arsenal have to win on Monday night at Crystal Palace to regain fourth spot, while West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Everton saw them leapfrog United into fifth – after Ralf Rangnick’s men were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Leicester on Saturday.
There will be plenty of twists and turns to come over the next few weeks – here i looks at the key fixtures that are likely to play a big part in which side secures their place in the premier European club competition next season.
The race for 4th
4. Spurs – Played 30, +15 GD, 54 pts
5. Arsenal – Played 28, +13 GD, 54 pts
6. West Ham – Played 31, +11 GD, 51 pts
7. Man United – Played 30, +8 GD, 51 pts
Spurs vs Arsenal
- Date TBC
The next iteration of the ever-feisty North London Derby has acquired additional competitive significance this year thanks to the battle for 4th.
The fixture’s original date in mid-January was postponed after Arsenal’s squad was left threadbare by Covid, injuries, suspensions and Africa Cup of Nations commitments, but a new date is yet to be formally pencilled in, although there is talk that Thursday 12 May is looking increasingly likely.
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What is certain is that the match will play a big role in where both teams finish this season. The pair are tied on points and their goal difference is in Spurs’ favour by only two, though Arsenal do have two games in hand.
Spurs’ thrashing of Newcastle typified their threat in front of goal – no Premier League side has scored more goals in 2022 than their 30 – and Arsenal will have to figure out how to contain that if they are to take anything away from the game.
Spurs’ remaining fixtures
Aston Villa (A) – Sat 9 Apr, 5.30pm
Brighton (H) – Sat 16 Apr, 12.30pm
Brentford (A) – Sat 23 Apr, 5.30pm
Leicester City (H) – Sat 30 Apr, 3pm
Liverpool (A) – Sat 7 May, 3pm
Burnley (H) – Sun 15 May, 3pm
Norwich City (A) – Sun 22 May 4pm
Liverpool vs Manchester United
- Tuesday 19 April, 8pm
With just one win from their last six in the league, Manchester United are far from favourites to clinch the final Champions League spot, especially after their dreary 1-1 draw at home to Leicester on Saturday.
They will also not be fancied on their visit to Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying, in-form Liverpool side on Tuesday 19 April, but this grudge match nevertheless has the potential to be of real importance in the battle for the top four (and in Liverpool’s case of course, the title).
In United’s case in their two matches before the visit to Anfield – away to Everton on Saturday 9 April and home to Norwich City on Saturday 16 April – Rangnick’s men have a great opportunity to get six points under their belt and build some much-needed momentum.
Add a memorable Merseyside performance to two wins in those games, which frankly might even just constitute a hard-earned point, and United could be well and truly back in contention.
Man Utd’s remaining fixtures
Everton (A) – Sat 9 Apr, 12.30pm
Norwich City (H) – Sat 9 Apr, 3pm
Liverpool (A) – Tue 19 Apr, 8pm
Arsenal (A) – Sat 23 Apr, 12.30pm
Brentford (H) – Mon 2 May, 8pm
Brighton (A) – Sat 7 May, 3pm
Chelsea (H) – Sun 15 May, 3pm
Crystal Palace (A) – Sun 22 May, 4pm
Arsenal vs Manchester United
- Saturday 23 April, 12.30pm
The United game which follows the Liverpool match is arguably equally pivotal, but more so for hosts Arsenal.
With two games in hand and level on points with Spurs, Mikel Arteta’s side are best-placed to secure Champions League football next term.
This clash with United comes three days after a visit to third-placed Chelsea and is a fixture which has, in recent seasons, had little of the competitive significance of these two sides’ mid-2000s glory days. Of late though, a little of that edge and verve has returned to the rivalry, although it remains to be seen who can play the imposing protagonists of Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane.
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures
Crystal Palace (A) – Mon 4 Apr, 8pm
Brighton (H) – Sat 9 Apr, 3pm
Southampton (A) – Sat 16 Apr, 3pm
Chelsea (A) – Wed 20 Apr, 7.45pm
Manchester United (H) – Sat 23 Apr, 12.30pm
West Ham United (A) – Sun 1 May, 4.30pm
Leeds United (H) – Sat 7 May, 3pm
Newcastle United (A) – Sun 15 May, 3pm
Everton (H) – Sun 22 May, 4pm
West Ham United v Arsenal
- Sunday 1 May, 4.30pm
David Moyes’ West Ham have been the surprise package of the Premier League this season, rising beyond all expectations to become real contenders for a Champions League finish and enjoying a stellar run in the Europa League.
Spurs, Arsenal and Man United all have games in hand on the Hammers – but it would be unwise to write them off. For so long a picture of disunity and discontent, the club and its supporters have coalesced around the team Moyes has built to forge a powerful bond.
The real ace up the Hammers’ sleeve though is the fixture list: their run-in includes games against Brentford, Burnley, Norwich and Brighton, all of which will be viewed as eminently winnable. The clash with the Gunners though is a real six-pointer, and is the kind of game that could take Arsenal’s fate out of their own hands.
West Ham’s remaining fixtures
Brentford (A) – Sun 10 Apr, 2pm
Burnley (H) – Sun 17 Apr, 2.15pm
Chelsea (A) – Sun 24 Apr, 2pm
Arsenal (H) – Sun 1 May, 4.30pm
Norwich City (A) – Sat 7 May, 3pm
Manchester City (H) – Sun 15 May, 3pm
Brighton (A) – Sun 22 May, 4pm
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