The race for the Champions League is getting congested with Manchester United and Liverpool claiming wins in recent days whilst rivals Aston Villa and Chelsea dropped points
Man Utd are in the best form of any Champions League hopeful
Man Utd are in the best form of any Champions League hopeful
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Four into three doesn't go and only six points separates third from sixth as Champions League hopefuls continue to drop points.
With ten games remaining the runners and riders paint very different pictures, leaving those backing them either on edge or growing in confidence as they head down the home straight.
Aston Villa have led from the front, looking well place to deliver the finish they want. But in more recent weeks Unai Emery's outfit have begun to falter and the draw with Leeds on Saturday represented two more points that have passed them by.
Liverpool are the champion who is waining and hopes of another triumph are long gone. Now salvation is being sought with a spot in the Champions League, but even that is far from guaranteed and performances are doing little to inspire.
Manchester United are very much timing their run perfectly. Monday's victory was their fifth win in six games under the guidance of Michael Carrick and, as they sit in fourth, they also have their destiny in their own hands.
Chelsea remain well placed, even if they will be disappointed with the draw against Burnley on Saturday. They occupy fifth, which will almost certainly guarantee Champions League football given how English sides are dominating European competitions this season.
There's an argument to suggest that all four of the aforementioned outfits don't just want, but need, Champions League football next year if their trajectories are to continue going in the right direction. Perhaps none more so than Liverpool, with a sixth place finish perhaps representing one of the biggest collapses of the modern age.
Arne Slot and Liverpool are looking to put their mid-season wobble behind them
Arne Slot and Liverpool are looking to put their mid-season wobble behind them(Image: Getty Images)
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Defending champions, £400million of investment and five wins from five to begin the season. Some were handing them the trophy already, but their demise has been stark. How quickly things change. Now Arne Slot, a man who lapped up the adulation in his debut season, needs to show another side to his management style.
Its easy to ride the wave of winning momentum, especially when there's little pressure being applied, but finding answers to new questions is another skill. For weeks it looked as if Slot had no answer, but the Reds have steadied the ship and the win at Nottingham Forest, when they were poor in the first-half, was a dogged performance that showed plenty of fight and resilience.
Jamie Carragher claimed Slot would have no complaints if he were sacked for a sixth place finish this summer. Liverpool don't look set to take such drastic action, but the magic he had last year has certainly disappeared.
Talking of magic, Carrick seems to have it. There's an argument to say the new-manager bounce is always a risky way to judge anyone. Just look at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's early months. But United are getting results at just the right time.
Aston Villa sit third, but their form has dropped off, allowing the chasing pack to close in
Aston Villa sit third, but their form has dropped off, allowing the chasing pack to close in
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They spent over £200m in the summer, and some of those signings have been key to their recent rise. But the club cannot continue to miss out on Champions League revenue and make forward strides. No one expected them to be this competitive, especially given their poor start to the year, but they are here now and we're almost at the point where no Champions League would be a missed opportunity.
The same could be said about Villa. Touted as the most unlikely of title contenders towards the end of last year, they've won three of their last nine since losing to Arsenal on December 30. Emery has outperformed his resources, seen his reputation grow as a result and got Villa into a mix they perhaps have no right to be in.
But the Spaniard can surely only do that for so long. Investment has had to be measured to remain in line with PSR. Which is why the Champions League is so crucial, giving Villa the chance to pour more money into their squad. Some of Emery's comments after games are that of a man who is keeping a lid on his frustration, but its certainly there.
Chelsea occupy the last Champions League spot, but have let leads slip in recent weeks
Chelsea occupy the last Champions League spot, but have let leads slip in recent weeks(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
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Villa themselves still need to play all three of their top five rivals, with Chelsea their opponents in less than a fortnight. The Blues made their managerial change to begin the year and Liam Rosenior has quietly gone about his business. The west Londoners returned to the Champions League stage last season and need to find some consistency if they want to eventually become a title-challenging outfit.
Constant change in the dugout hasn't allowed for much continuity whilst their player pool also leads to changes on the pitch. The Blues have won four of their last six, remaining unbeaten.
But Rosenior has bemoaned the four points that have passed them by over the last two games. That ruthless edge could cost them, but none of their rivals are even close to being relentless. The last team to come across that winning habit, may well be planning for Thursday night football next term.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher don't often see eye to eye, but when it comes for the race for Champions League spots, they both believe United will get over the line.
“I can’t see Manchester United not making it... mind games! No, I do believe that," Carragher said after the win over Everton.
Neville concurred, adding: “I think they [Manchester United] could finish third, I really do. I said a couple of weeks ago, I think Villa might get pulled back a little bit."
Carragher sees a similar scenario for Villa, who still have to navigate the tricky Thursday-Sunday turnarounds thanks to their deep run in the Europa League.
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