Chelsea have struggled of lateplaceholder image
Chelsea have struggled of late | Getty Images
A look at the run-ins for the teams involved in the Premier League top four race.
Chelsea remain in the top four battle as they head into their final eight games of the Premier League season. Consistency has been a real issue for the Blues this season, but they are going to have to find some to leapfrog at least two of the three teams above them.
Liam Rosenior’s men are currently three points behind Aston Villa in fourth and six points behind Manchester United in third. But who has the easiest and hardest fixtures remaining? Here we take a look.
Run-ins compared
Everton (A), Man City (H), Man Utd (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A).
AFC Bournemouth (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A).
Aston Villa
West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Man City (A).
Brighton (A), Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man Utd (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H).
The fixtures compared
Starting with Chelsea, they have a very tough next three games, and you could make it four with that Brighton away game. The Forest game is very winnable, but then comes a potential six-pointed with Liverpool, a date with a Tottenham side that could be battling for survival and a final day clash with Sunderland, who have been good at home. That’s a mightily tough run-in.
Man Utd have bagged themselves a head start in this race, and it’s a good job because their run-in is also tricky. Aside from Chelsea and Liverpool, you look at Brentford and Bournemouth as tough games, and Sunderland away is no gimme. But the Red Devils need fewer wins and will be expected to wrap up a top four spot.
Villa are in the worst form of the lot, and it will be interesting to see if they can get back to their earlier season form. Unai Emery’s men have the best run-in, with pretty much all of their next six very winnable ahead of a tough final two against Liverpool and Man City.
Liverpool have a tricky run-in, and they too have had issues with consistency. Brighton is never a tough game, and both Fulham and Everton are European hopefuls. Palace at home should be three points, but then comes a run of games against Man Utd, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford to finish the season. That’s a gauntlet.
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