Despite failing to get over the line on the weekend, there is little doubt Manchester City are going to be crowned the 2020/21 English Premier League champions.
However, there is an interesting race developing just below them in the table as several clubs aim to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League.
It's not over until it's over. @ManUtd have won 10 #PL matches after conceding first this season, a record by a team in a single season in the competition. pic.twitter.com/X6ZesJdQoc— Premier League (@premierleague) May 9, 2021
It's not over until it's over. @ManUtd have won 10 #PL matches after conceding first this season, a record by a team in a single season in the competition. pic.twitter.com/X6ZesJdQoc
Manchester United recorded a good 3-1 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon and results elsewhere secured their place in the top four.
The Red Devils will want to ensure they finish in second place and have matches at home against Leicester City, Liverpool, and Fulham plus Wolverhampton Wanderers away on the final day of the season.
So, Manchester United may have secured their place in the Champions League but they could still have a major influence on who finishes in the remaining two qualifying positions due to their upcoming fixtures.
At the time of writing, Chelsea are in third place on 64 points from 35 games played. They have Arsenal and Leicester City to play at home followed by Aston Villa away on the last day.
Chelsea have been in great form and they are well positioned to finish in third place. With Leicester City to play at home, a win in that game should be good enough for them to finish inside the top four.
With a 6 point cushion over West Ham United, who are currently in 5th place plus few injury concerns, Chelsea must be the favourites to finish third and qualify for the Champions League.
However, things are not looking so good for Leicester City, who are in fourth place on 63 points. Their previous fixture at home against Newcastle United seemed the perfect opportunity to further enhance their credentials for a top four place but they lost the game in spectacular style, going down 4-2.
The Foxes spent most of last season in the top four before dropping out right at the end of the campaign and will not want the same to happen again. Leicester City have three tough fixtures remaining against Manchester United and Chelsea away, followed by Tottenham Hotspur at home.
They also have an FA Cup final to take care of between the three Premier League fixtures and a few key players injured, with Harvey Barnes, Jonny Evans, and James Justin on the treatment table.
West Ham are in fifth place on 58 points and suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Everton on Sunday. That loss came on the back of defeats by Newcastle and Chelsea, results which have seen West Ham lose touch with the teams above them. They have a favourable run-in but may be forced to settle for a Europa League place.
Finally, we come to defending Champions, Liverpool. The win over Southampton plus defeats for Leicester City and West Ham have given The Reds some hope of finishing in the top four.
They have a game in hand on the teams above them but are currently 6 points adrift of fourth place Leicester City. However, they are unbeaten in six league games and aside from the match at Manchester United, their fixtures are favourable.
Liverpool certainly appear to be the team to watch and most likely to displace Leicester City in the top four this season, which would be huge for both clubs.