Premier League: Top Four Exact Order Odds

The top two for the Premier League look pretty nailed on for the rest of the campaign; with Liverpool storming their way to a first league title in 30 years and Manchester City holding enough of a gap from Leicester in the runners up spot.

The Foxes are currently five points clear of Chelsea, though they certainly have the tougher run in of fixtures when it comes to the remainder of the season. Brendan Rodgers’ side still have to face Arsenal, Sheffield United, Spurs and Manchester United, all of whom are all within the mix for a Champions League spot, and a defeat in any of those games could open the race up for the teams below.

Their first two games are against Watford and Brighton, and on paper certainly seem the more favourable fixtures for the former champions, following that up with a game against Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

As for Chelsea they too have a number of their top four rivals to contend with in their last games of the current campaign. They start off against Aston Villa before a clash with Watford, and much like Leicester their last few games are arguably the toughest they will need to face – Sheffield United, Liverpool and Wolves.

With the points difference between third and fourth and the fixtures to start off their returns, it seems to be the favourite that the current top four will be how it finishes at 13/8.

Lurking in the shadows of the current top four are the Red Devils, who look to be within their best shot of returning to the Champions League than they have in recent seasons.

They are only three points behind Chelsea, and certainly seem to have a bit of an easier run in compared to the Blues.

Starting off their return to action is Bournemouth, who themselves are facing a relegation battle, though the Cherries have certainly pulled off a few shock results in the past. Once the clubs have got their first two games back out of the way, Chelsea go up against Sheffield United while the Red Devils face off against Southampton, and should the Blades pull off a victory against Lampard’s men then the momentum will certainly be with United.

The only big game that threatens to derail United’s charge for a top four finish is in their final game of the season where they go up against Leicester City.

This order is reversed from the first and most favourable odds that we looked at, but again in football so many things can happen at different times that anything is possible.

Chelsea will no doubt be relying on some of their stars that have emerged from the crop of the youth academy this season with the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Reece James so far this season.

Olivier Giroud’s experience up front could also prove to be critical for Chelsea as they look to claw back as much ground as they can to the top two. Leicester have their own experienced talisman though in Jamie Vardy, who is also in contention for the Golden Boot award, and with the impressive James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans in the mix the Foxes will certainly be hoping to continue their strong start.

It only takes a couple of defeats though and Chelsea could see themselves leapfrog Leicester and clinch the first Champions League qualifying spot.

While Leicester have been in strong form this season, everyone in the game knows that form is only temporary – whether that is good form or bad form.

We have already touched a lot on Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top four, but if Leicester are to have a terrible run of results it could well open the door for Manchester United and see the Foxes drop into a Europa League spot.

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba’s respective returns to the first team following their injuries will no doubt be a boost for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and out of the fixture runs in United certainly appear to have the easier lists compared to their counterparts.

It would take a lot though for Leicester to drop out a Champions League spot completely, but the two giants of English football will be chomping at the bit if they get a whiff of a possible top four finish. It is certainly possible but unlikely looking at the current table.

Certainly, one of the outside odds but still quite a likely scenario could see both Leicester and Manchester United both lose out on a Champions League spot at the hands of the electrifying Wolves.

The Molineux club start off with a favourable run of fixtures and have an outside chance of gaining a top four spot, but then the tougher games come into play starting off with Arsenal in game week 33, followed by Sheffield United and then Everton.

If Chelsea continue their resurgence and climb above Leicester, then the last game of the season will no doubt be a tantalising prospect and both the Blues and Wolves clash in what could be a winner takes all game for a chance to play in Europe’s elite.

Again it will take a lot for Leicester to collapse completely, but underestimate Wolves at your peril as they have the capacity to shock and thrill.

By Alan Faulkner