The race for the top four has often been a trophy in itself over the years in the Premier League, but as things stand, fifth looks set to provide Champions League football and Chelsea are favourites.
That is according to Steven Gerrard, who discussed the race for Champions League football next season during TNT Sports’ coverage of Liverpool’s 1-0 away win over Sunderland on Wednesday night.
It has been a bad week for Chelsea. Yes, Man United also dropped points, but Chelsea failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead over Leeds United, and then, Cole Palmer missed an absolute sitter to win the game 3-2.
How many points do Chelsea get from their next three PL games? 🤔
The top-four race is hotting up…
Just 24 hours later, and the draw was made a whole lot worse as Liverpool and Aston Villa both picked up wins in difficult games. Unai Emery said Villa’s win over Brighton wasn’t more important, but it really was.
Steven Gerrard thinks Chelsea are favourites to finish in fifth
Speaking ahead of his old side’s away win at Sunderland, the first team to beat Regis Le Bris’ side at the Stadium of Light, Gerrard said that with Palmer fit again, Chelsea are favourites to pip Liverpool into fifth.
Chelsea v Brentford - Premier League
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
He believes Palmer can be the difference in the race for Champions League qualification, with Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea, and possibly even Brentford fighting for three Champions League spots.
“If Palmer stays in this kind of mood, they are the favourites for fifth. He’s the one player in this race who can turn a draw into a win. Liverpool and United have to find a way to match that individual brilliance.”
Cole Palmer can become Chelsea’s Steven Gerrard – discuss 🔥
There have been comparisons!
Liverpool’s win makes everything a bit more edgy for Chelsea
While there is an intriguing title race going on between Arsenal and Man City, and the race for survival down the bottom is catching the eye, the race for Champions League places is quietly heating up.
Liverpool’s win takes them three above Brentford in sixth, but the Bees have a game in hand – facing the Gunners tonight. Then, Chelsea are in fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Man United, with Villa in third.
Villa look well-placed to go and secure Champions League football, sitting five ahead of Man United and six in front of Chelsea. That Tyrone Mings goal, beating Brighton 1-0, was an enormous win for Emery.
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