As the English Premier League begins to draw to a close, football analysts, pundits, fans, players, managers and coaches are eager to know who will make the EPL Top  4. It is obvious Chelsea is already the Champions-elect, although Tottenham players and fans seem to belief otherwise. With a 10pt gap over second placed Tottenham Hotspurs and with 10 games to go, only the impossible will deny Chelsea a well deserved 5^th EPL title. However, two amongst Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal will drop out of the top 4.

Apart from Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, the rest of the chasing packs are still fighting to know who will make the EPL top 4. So, amongst the 2-6^th placed teams, which two teams will drop out of the Top 4? Lets us look at the teams and their chances.

Who Will Make The EPL Top 4?

Chelsea

Chelsea under Antonio Conte has been a different beast. No one is doubting them making the top 4 again, it is as good as the league is won. Basically, they are already going to win the league. Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Manchester United, Southampton, Everton, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Sunderland are Chelsea’s remaining fixtures.

Tottenham

Pochettino’s team is Chelsea’s closest rival; however, they are 10pts behind Chelsea having played the same number of games. The remaining fixtures include games against Burnley, Swansea, Watford, Bournemouth, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, West Ham, Man United and Hull City. These games do not pose major challenges. However, without the injured Harry Kane, their chances may be affected.

Manchester City

Manchester City’s season can best be described as inconsistent. It has played the best football in the league but has not lived up to the required consistency. One can say that being knocked out of the Champion’s League by Monaco is a blow. However, it will allow them concentrate their energy on pursuing the FA Cup and the EPL top 4. City is left with these matches: Arsenal, Chelsea, Hull City, Southampton, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Hull City.

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Liverpool

The Reds will most likely pip Arsenal and Manchester United to the fourth position. For some sustained period last year, they were Chelsea’s closest competition. However, they petered out during a lacklustre January. during this period, they wee knocked out of the Carling cup, FA Cup as well as losing footing in the EPL. However, having picked up form, they are well in contention. Finally, they must have to find a way of winning the “lesser teams”. The remaining fixtures include: Everton, Bournemouth, Stoke City, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Watford, Southampton, est Ham and Middlesbrough.

Manchester United

For the Red Devils, it is uncertain where the priority lies. They are still battling for the t0p 4 but are also the favourites to win the Europa League. This guarantees automatic qualification for the Champions league. Coach, Jose Mourinho has lamented endlessly about the hectic fixtures. And i believe this will count against them in the battle for the top 4. It remains to be see how Manchester United and Mourinho will navigate the following games: West Brom, Everton, Sunderland, Chelsea, Burnley, Manchester City, Swansea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

Arsenal

For the first time in Wenger’s reign, Arsenal is in real challenge of missing out of the top 4. The club has been without a league win since February. Placed 6^th, Arsenal is 6pts behind 4^th placed Liverpool who has played 2 more games. It is very difficult to see Arsenal finishing in the Top 4 given the consistency of the teams above them. Add to the conundrum surrounding the futures of the Manager as well as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, the top 4 maybe beyond Arsenal. Remaining fixtures include: Manchester City, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Tottenham, Manchester United, Stoke City, Everton and Sunderland. Will arsenal join those Who Will Make EPL The Top 4?

My Verdict

Who will make the EPL top 4? The table below represents my thoughts on how the EPL table will shape up come May, 2017.

1. Chelsea
2. Tottenham
3. Manchester City
4. Liverpool

Chelsea is going to win the league and i don’t see anything stopping them, except themselves. Tottenham on their own, will focus their energy and attention on the EPL and FA Cup, same as Chelsea. They also have a very favourable fixture. Manchester City will be there also. The manager knows what he is doing and with the squad he has, do not write them off to overtake Tottenham in second place.

I had the greatest challenge in choosing the team to make up the top 4. I find it hard to see how Arsenal will pick themselves up. Their being in the top 4 is dependent on the form of the other teams and surely, no one is giving them a gift. I just don’t see them making it even though history is with them. Manchester United may well finish in 6^th position given that they may go for the double honours of winning the Europa league and qualifying for the Champions League. Liverpool just pips Arsenal in my opinion, giving their current form and favourable fixtures.

Now, over to you. Who Will Make the EPL Top 4? Let us hear your thoughts and opinions. Share with your friends to join in this debate.