As we enter the final stretch of the premier league for this season, the race for top 4 is looking mouth watering with Man City now leapfrogging Arsenal in first place while still having a game in hand, Newcastle on the verge of European football once again and Eric Ten Hag looking to secure Champions League football for Man United next season.

With just 4 game weeks left to go, 12 points up for grabs, the league looks set to run right down to the wire which for fans alike, is a dream scenario.

Today, we look at the run in and give our assessment of what we think the teams’ chances are of making top 4 and what they need to do to ensure that.

We have excluded Man City and Arsenal as they both have a 10-point gap already on 3^rd.

Newcastle (3^rd)

St James Park has been starved of European football for some time now with their last Champions League campaign was in the 2002/2003 season, but with the takeover and the new direction of the club, it is now looking inevitable that they will do it. Having won their last 3 league games and boasting the best defence in the league, there is plenty to suggest that Eddie Howe’s men will snap up third place this season. Eric Ten Hag’s Manchester United are the only problem to that with the Red Devils just two points behind with a game in hand on Newcastle. Having scored 13 goals in their previous 3 matches, Newcastle go into these final fixtures with heaps of much needed momentum to get them over the line.

Man United (4^th)

A busy season for United with results being at both ends of the spectrum at times, yet still in The FA Cup having already won The Carabao Cup, Eric Tan Hag will be relying on the momentum and game management of key players to ensure a top 4 finish for United this season. With two games in hand and with favourable fixtures, this one could go right to the very end before we have the answers on who’s going to finish where. With midfield general Casemiro back in the squad after his suspension, that will bring more firepower back for the final stretch. The one thing that could hamper United’s run in is the sheer amount of games they have left to play, with 6 games left to play in the league and an FA Cup Final against Man City, the Red Devils have a lot of games left to play and an injury to a key player or burnout could affect their end to the season.

Liverpool (5^th)

Much improved form over the last 5 games have put Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool right back into the race, 4 wins out of their last 5 and draws against Chelsea and Arsenal prior to that is what this Liverpool team have come to expect over the last few years. Injuries and inconsistencies have hampered the reds this year as they haven’t looked themselves this season, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent move into midfield in and out of possession seems to have been a masterstroke by Klopp with the narrative being there about Trent for years now. Similarly to what Pep is doing with moving one of his back 4 into the midfield when in possession pushing the back 4 to a back 3, Trent has been flying in this new role and with a big win over Tottenham, they will be going into the remaining games full of confidence and momentum.

Tottenham (6^th)

Dropping into 6^th shows that the inconsistent results have been Spurs downfall this season having won just 1 out of their previous 5 league games. However, AC Milan beating them in the Champions League in early March means they now only have the league to focus on which is only a benefit for them. Without a manager, they are having to rely on the togetherness of the squad and whilst Hugo Lloris is injured, vice-captain Harry Kane to get them firing and gain momentum going into the final 4 games. However their form over the last 5 games is nothing to get excited about, 3 losses, 1 draw, and 1 win and having conceded 16 goals in that time is a real concern and highlights the problems they are having on the pitch. The match against Liverpool excluding the first 20 minutes actually showed that Spurs can still compete with the leagues heavyweights in a much improved second half. If they can retain that spirit going into the final 4 games, they might be able to climb back up.

Aston Villa (7^th)

Unai Emery has completely transformed this Villa side into a real threat as they look to continue their immaculate form into the last 4 games. Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings have been the main men for Villa with Watkins scoring 14 goals this season and Mings being the rock at the back as they have had fantastic defensive displays especially throughout April, 4 clean sheets out of 7. Sitting on equal points to Tottenham on 54, the remaining 4 games for Villa do see them play Tottenham, Liverpool, and Brighton which will be undeniably difficult to navigate but if they can pick up points along the way, they could have a great end to the season.

Brighton (8^th)

Brighton have proved many doubters wrong this season, after losing Graham Potter to Chelsea early in the season, many predicted that Brighton would struggle without him and that it would be too much of an ask to retain their form, however De Zerbi has not only managed to prove doubters wrong by keeping Brighton as a real force in the league, but he has also improved them and got them playing with such speed and deadliness. Brighton still have 7 games to go due to postponements with cup ties affecting them the most, 7 games means 21 points is up for grabs however them 7 games are to be played almost back-to-back with games being every 3 or 4 days, and against some tough opposition. With games against Man United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, and Villa, 21 points are available and picking up anything against the heavy hitters of the league can see them elevate higher in the table.

Who do you think will finish in the top 4 and where – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates