Chelsea’s excellent win over Aston Villa has pushed them back into fifth place in the race for Champions League football – but who finishes the season in the top five, Chelsea or Liverpool?
Chelsea’s win not only came off the back of three Premier League games without a win, surrendering leads to Leeds United and Burnley, before losing at Arsenal. They had to get back to winning ways.
It looked like it might be four games in a row without a win early on when Aston Villa opened the scoring, but Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick, and Cole Palmer got the other to secure a ninth Liam Rosenior win.
Joao Pedro scores a perfect 10, but how would you rate his teammates?
Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The victory was made all the more impressive given Aston Villa – the side Chelsea had beaten – Liverpool and Man United all suffered defeats. Chelsea are now just three points off third with their tails up.
Opta predicts Liverpool will still finish in fifth position
Despite Villa’s defeats to Wolves and Chelsea and their midfield injury issues, Opta still think Villa will finish in the top four, retaining third ahead of Man United. The latter lost to Newcastle on Wednesday.
Liam Rosenior v Villa.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
According to Opta, it is between Liverpool and Chelsea for fifth place. The European coefficient looks like it will award England with an extra Champions League slot, meaning fifth guarantees qualification.
Despite Liverpool’s loss to Wolves, Opta still thinks Liverpool get fifth position. The stats, according to Opta, say Liverpool will win 62.97 points while Chelsea are only just below, forecasted to win 62.74.
Man United are predicted to win 64.51 points, while Villa will get 65.12. Of course, points cannot be won on decimals. If Liverpool and Chelsea’s points are rounded to 63, Chelsea have a better goal difference.
Who has the toughest run in among the four clubs?
Chelsea managed to beat Villa away after losing to Arsenal but the run of fixtures for Rosenior’s men does not get any easier. Aside from cup games against Wrexham and PSG, Chelsea next face Newcastle.
How many points do Chelsea get from their next five PL games?
Chelsea's next five PL games after Arsenal are daunting…
Everton away, and then both Manchester clubs stand in Chelsea’s way. A tough old run, while Liverpool’s is slightly easier. Their next five are Tottenham (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), Everton (A), Palace (H).
Man United’s is pretty tough, with Villa next and both Chelsea and Liverpool in their next six. Villa’s is probably the easiest, facing West Ham, Sunderland, Forest and Fulham after the clash against United.
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