Chelsea are still battling for a Champions League spotChelsea are still battling for a Champions League spot
Chelsea are still battling for a Champions League spot | Getty Images
A look at the Premier League run-in as Chelsea battle for a Champions League spot.
Chelsea secured a huge boost in their bid to land Champions League football on Sunday, defeating champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to make it four wins on the bounce across all competitions. Enzo Fernandez set the tone early on, and an own goal from Jarell Quansah looked to have ended it in the second half. Virgil van Dijk then got a goal back, but Quansah proved villain again after giving away a penalty, and Cole Palmer finished off the Reds in stoppage time.
The Blues win meant they took full advantage of Newcastle United drawing just before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, and Enzo Maresca’s men are now just goals scored behind the Magpies. Meanwhile, they are one point behind Manchester City in third, three points and a significant goal difference gap above Nottingham Forest, who play their game in-hand on Monday night, and three points above Aston Villa in seventh, again with a significant goal difference lead.
Here we examine the Champions League race ahead of the final run-in.
Predicted final Premier League table
In the latest OPTA table, Chelsea have closed the gap on Newcastle United, although they are still expected to finish in fifth, securing a Champions League spot along the way. Both the Blues and the Magpies are expected to reach 67 points, but Newcastle have a greater chance of reaching that total, according to the experts.
Manchester City are expected to finish in third place with 70 points, pulling ahead of the rest. Further down, Nottingham Forest are expected to finish in the first Europa League spot, in sixth with 66 points, falling one point short. Aston Villa are tipped to finish in the second Europa League spot, in seventh with 64 points.
The remaining fixtures
Here are the remaining fixtures for the five teams battling for those all-important three Champions League spots.
Aston Villa: Bournemouth (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Man Utd (A).
Enzo Maresca’s view
Speaking after Chelsea’s win over Liverpool, Maresca said: “This game was very important. Liverpool forced us to defend deep, something that we don’t like to do. But they are so good. We planned the game, trying to be aggressive. But they forced us into a different plan and we adapted quite well.
“I am very impressed with my players. It is not easy to play man-to-man. If we finish top five, everyone is thinking they are doing well, but I am impressed with them [regardless]. For sure, Chelsea has to fight for Champions League. Hopefully in the future it can be for something more important.”
Chelsea now turn their attention to a Conference League second leg with Djugaarden on Thursday night ahead of returning to Premier League action.
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