Will the Premier League top 4 see a change of positions today?
The Premier League returns today and all eyes will be on the race for the final top two places as the Citizens have all but consolidated on the second position with the 4-nil mauling of Liverpool at the Etihad on Thursday night.
Just 3 points separate third from sixth on the log with 6 games to go which will eventually become 5 after today’s round of games. Today is a day for the final top 4 contenders to do battle as they all play today on their home turf.
1. MANCHESTER UNITED VS BOURNEMOUTH
Red-hot Manchester United will welcome struggling Bournemouth to Old Trafford in a game where the Red Devils are overwhelming favorites and cannot afford to drop points. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer could make it into the top 4 places today if Chelsea slip up again.
As expected, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba should start this game today and take the Cherries to the cleaners unless there is an upset somewhere on the cards which I don’t see happening. The Red Devils should win this comfortably.
2. WOLVES VS ARSENAL
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves have been the best side since the return of the Premier League. They’ve amassed the maximum points (9) and are yet to concede. They don’t score much but don’t concede either.
They’ll welcome Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to the Molineux today in a make-or-break encounter for Arsenal’s UCL qualification hopes, that’s if they still have any. This is an encounter that should test Wolves’ UEFA Champions League qualification credentials.
Arsenal must get all three points if they still want to keep their hopes alive and hope for teams above them to slip. However, this is seemingly impossible with Wolves’ decent run. We wait to see how this one pans out.
Leicester City are no longer in pole position for a place in next season’s Champions League. They’ve lost a lot of momentum and will likely find themselves outside the top 3 if they fail to beat a tricky Crystal Palace today.
The Foxes have been average since the game returned and have lost massive ground in the top 4 race.
They lead Chelsea with 1 point and lead Manchester United and Wolves with 3 points respectively albeit with a superior goal advantage which should see them maintain their top 4 position even if they lose all 3 points today.
It’s always tricky playing against an unpredictable Crystal Palace who have lost their last two games. Regardless, The Foxes have what it takes to amass maximum points.
4. CHELSEA VS WATFORD
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, who were losers to West Ham at the London Stadium in a 3:2 defeat will welcome another struggler Watford to Stamford Bridge in the last game of the matchday.
The Blues could find themselves outside the top 4 before they play and the pressure that comes with it could be an advantage to Watford who are just 1 point above relegation.
Watford will be looking to get something from this game and with Chelsea’s questionable mentality in recent times, it could be possible. However, if Chelsea fail to win this game, then maybe, they have no business fighting for a top-four place.
We look forward to these cracking games and wait to see who comes out tops in the four encounters.
At least, the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are expected to be too good for their opponents and win, while Wolves and Leicester have their work cut out for them. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men shouldn’t be written off though.
