Predicting The Top Four: If Liverpool Is In, Who’s Out?

Liverpool Celebrates (via Liverpool Facebook page)

The race for the UEFA Champions League has been extremely competitive for most of the season.  At ESPN FC, the Barclays Premier League table reveals seven teams with a realistic chance of finishing the season in the top four.  Currently, Liverpool sit fifth in the table and must move ahead of at least one team in order to qualify for the prestigious tournament.  Here is a quick look at the seven teams involved in the race for Europe and a prediction of how the final table will shake out.

1. Chelsea (67 points)

With a game in hand over every team near the top of the table, Chelsea are in a commanding position to win the Barclays Premier League trophy.  The Blues have been the most dominant team for most of the season and have showed no signs of giving up their lead in the table.  Without the distraction of UEFA Champions League, Chelsea will be firmly focused on the Premier League.  Look for Chelsea to cruise to a Barclays Premier League trophy this season.

2. Arsenal (60 points)

Arsenal has been a difficult team to figure out this season.  At moments, Arsenal appear to be the best team in the Premier League.  Their beautiful passing movements and choreographed build ups have fans expecting more from the Gunners.  However, inconsistent form has seen Arsenal enjoy mixed results for most of the campaign.  Recently, the Gunners have won five Premier League games in a row and show no signs of slowing down.  Look for Arsenal to leapfrog Manchester City and climb to second in the table.

3. Manchester City (61 points)

At one point in the campaign, Manchester City had tied Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.  Following the accomplishment, Manchester City endured a poor run of form at the start of 2015.  Despite dropped points on several occasions, the Citizens have maintained their spot in the table.  If Wilfried Bony can start contributing goals, the Citizens will keep their place in the top three.  However, the inability to grind out results against bottom half clubs will see the Citizens drop to third in the table.

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4. Liverpool (54 points)

The task will be a difficult one for the Reds.  Liverpool’s poor start to the season had many questioning the future at Anfield without Luis Suarez.  The return to fitness of Daniel Sturridge saw Liverpool win eight out of nine Premier League games in 2015.  Despite a disappointing loss to Manchester United, the Reds still have a shot of returning the the UEFA Champions League next season.  A favorable fixture list makes it possible for Liverpool to put together another win streak.  If Liverpool can put together another string of victories like they did earlier in 2015, they will leapfrog Manchester United and qualify for the Champions League.

5. Manchester United (59 points)

Under the leadership of Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United appear to be trending in the right direction.  The Red Devils currently sit fourth in the table, thanks to a crucial victory over Liverpool in their last game.  However, Manchester United have struggled to find the form that everyone is expecting this star studded lineup to produce.  With the biggest stars struggling to put together a string of great performances, one disappointing result could dramatically change the season for Manchester United.  A brutal fixture list to end the campaign sees Manchester United face Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal to wrap up the campaign.  Too many tough tests remain and dropped points are inevitable.  Look for Manchester United to miss out of the Champions League for the second year in a row.

6. Tottenham (53 points)

At the start of the campaign, Tottenham had ambitions of competing in Europe next season.  Despite an inconsistent campaign, Spurs currently sit seventh in the table.  A favorable fixture list down the stretch has Tottenham squaring off with Southampton in a matchup that could decide who finishes higher in the table.  With Harry Kane scoring goals for fun, look for Tottenham to leapfrog Southampton and finish sixth in the table.

7. Southampton (53 points)

For most of the season, Southampton was the feel good story in the Barclays Premier League.  A mass exodus of most of the team’s star players at the end of 2014 had many wondering if the Saints would be relegated in 2015.  However, Ronald Koeman had Southampton sitting top four in the table for a large part of the season.  Key signings and the ability to impose their brand of football have seen Southampton establish themselves firmly in the top half of the table.  The Saints have started to fade as the season has progressed.  An incredible season for the Saints will end with a seventh place finish in the Barclays Premier League.

As things currently stand, Liverpool are on the outside looking in at the UEFA Champions League.  However, a favorable fixture list for Liverpool and a brutal fixture list for Manchester United will be the perfect recipe for the Reds to make up a five point deficit on the Red Devils.  Look for Liverpool to perform well for the remainder of the season.  Their hard work will be rewarded and they will return to the UEFA Champions League next season.