With Chelsea and Manchester City all but locks for the top two spots, it is left to Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton to battle it out for the last two UEFA Champions League positions.
A further incentive for finishing in the top four is merit money. Clubs receive in excess of A$2.3m (£1.2m) for each place higher on the table they finish, meaning there is a substantial difference between the money earned for finishing third compared to seventh.
Still, the A$2.3m difference between fourth and fifth would not determine the season a success or failure. Premier League clubs are desperate to qualify for the Champions League in order to prove they can compete with Europe’s top clubs.
Arsenal
In each of the 17 seasons Arsène Wenger has been at the helm, the Gunners have finished in the top four. Having won seven of their last eight matches, Arsenal will look to keep hold of third place and avoid the Champions League play-off match that awaits fourth.
Key Player
Alexis Sanchez has had a stellar first season for Arsenal, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists already. The Chilean holds the key to the Gunners’ top four aspirations as his direct style and scoring abilities test even the best Premier League defenders.
Current Tally – 54 points
Run Home
West Ham (H) – Win Newcastle (A) – Win Liverpool (H) – Draw Burnley (A) – Win Sunderland (H) – Win Chelsea (H) – Loss Hull City (A) – Win Swansea (H) – Win Manchester United (A) – Loss West Brom (H) – Win
Predicted Tally – 76 points
Manchester United
Currently sitting fourth, Louis Van Gaal will be eager to hold off rivals and qualify for the Champions League in his first season as Manchester United’s boss. The Red Devils are playing with defensive discipline having conceded the third fewest goals this season, and are grinding out results on a consistent basis.
Key Player
Angel Di Maria was voted 2014 Argentine player of the year ahead of compatriot and three-time Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi. With eight assists so far this season, the playmaker’s pinpoint service from wide and central areas is vital for his teammates, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie.
Current Tally – 53 points
Run Home
Tottenham (H) – Win Liverpool (A) – Loss Aston Villa (H) – Win Man City (H) – Draw Chelsea (A) – Loss Everton (A) – Win West Brom (H) – Win Crystal Palace (A) – Win Arsenal (H) – Win Hull City (A) – Win
Predicted Tally – 75 points
Liverpool
Unbeaten in ten matches, Liverpool is the in-form team of the English Premier League. The Reds are playing with supreme confidence and dispatching many of their opponents in style. After a poor showing during this season’s Champions League, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be desperate for another chance to showcase his team against Europe’s elite.
Key Player
Jordan Henderson is set to take over as the heartbeat of central midfield for the Reds once current captain Steven Gerrard leaves at the end of the season. The Liverpool vice-captain sits fifth overall for total passes and equal third for assists in the league. Henderson has also added goals to his repertoire, with two long range strikes in his last two games.
Current Tally – 51 points
Run Home
Swansea (A) – Win Man Utd (H) – Win Arsenal (A) – Draw Newcastle (H) – Win Hull City (A) – Win West Brom (A) – Win QPR (H) – Win Chelsea (A) – Loss Crystal Palace (H) – Win Stoke City (A) – Win
Predicted Tally – 76 points
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino is determined to attain a Champions League spot in his first season as Tottenham boss. Whilst sitting only three points off fourth place, the Spurs lack the defensive consistency of their rivals, conceding the most goals of any team still in contention for a top four finish.
Key Player
Harry Kane has become one of the Premier League’s best strikers having already netted 16 league goals this season. Tottenham’s current goal tally is 46, meaning Kane has accounted for an astounding 35 per cent of his side’s total goals in the 2014/15 season. Should the 21-year-old find a way to continue his remarkable form, he may just be able to carry Tottenham into next season’s Champions League.
Current Tally – 50 points
Run Home
Man Utd (A) – Loss Leicester City (H) – Win Burnley (A) – Win Aston Villa (H) – Win Newcastle (A) – Draw Southampton (A) – Draw Man City (H) – Loss Stoke City (A) – Win Hull City (H) – Win Everton (A) – Win
Predicted Tally – 70 points
Southampton
The Saints were predicted to struggle to stay in the top flight as they lost their manager, along with key players such as Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana over the summer. Under new boss Ronald Koeman, however, they’ve exceeded all expectations and remain in contention for a shock top four finish.
Key Player
Without a league goal in 2015, Graziano Pellè looks bereft of confidence. Still, he remains a key player as a return to the form that saw him net six goals in his first eight games may be enough to earn Southampton a top four finish.
Current Tally – 49 points
Run Home
Chelsea (A) – Loss Burnley (H) – Win Everton (A) – Win Hull City (H) – Win Stoke City (A) – Draw Tottenham (H) – Draw Sunderland (A) – Win Leicester City (A) – Win Aston Villa (H) – Draw Manchester City (A) – Loss
Predicted Tally – 67 points
Final verdict
Arsenal’s run home is quite favourable and the Gunners look likely to remain third on the table, be it only by a superior goal difference. Liverpool’s impressive form sees them squeeze into fourth place, one point ahead of Manchester United. Tottenham’s heavy reliance on Harry Kane means they must settle for a sixth place finish. Southampton can be content with seventh given the quality players it lost over the summer.
Matthew Santini is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Journalism (Sport) degree at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @MattyValentino.
Feature Image by Ronnie Macdonald via Wikimedia Commons.
