The dust is starting to settle on another frenetic weekend of Premier League action and after five of the division’s current top seven took maximum points on Saturday and Sunday, congestion is the watchword at the summit of the table.
After Liverpool’s goalless stalemate with traditional rivals Manchester United at Anfield the gap between the Reds Devils in first and Everton in sixth has been squeezed to just five points as we approach the second half of the campaign.
The weekend’s results have got people talking about possible Champions League qualification contenders, and with up to eight teams joining the conversation, the race for a top four finish could prove very interesting.
Below, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the clubs that are part of the discussion.
Leicester City
Odds: 2/1
Next 6 games: (H) vs Chelsea, (A) vs Everton, (H) vs Leeds, (A) vs Fulham, (A) vs Wolves, (H) vs Liverpool
Leicester City’s odds have shortened considerably in recent weeks after recent performances suggested they could have the staying power to last the distance this season.
Brendan Rodgers’ youthful team emerged with plenty of points and confidence from a tough gauntlet of recent fixtures, which included a win at Spurs (2-0), a draw at home to Man Utd (2-2) and a fine victory at home to high-flying Southampton (2-0).
Another positive result against fellow top four hopefuls Chelsea later this week would provide another major statement of their intent.
Tottenham Hotspur
Odds: 11/10
Next 6 games: (H) vs Liverpool, (A) vs Brighton, (H) vs Chelsea, (H) vs WBA, (A) vs Man City, (A) vs West Ham
Tottenham continue to hover ominously just outside the top four after their 3-1 win at Sheffield United on Saturday, though an extremely tough run of games on the horizon will test their aspirations to the limit.
Their next six Premier League fixtures includes matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, though Jose Mourinho has already shown this season that he can pen a blueprint for success in the biggest games.
Everton
Odds: 11/2
Next 6 games: (H) vs Leicester City, (H) vs Newcastle, (A) vs Leeds, (A) vs Man Utd, (H) vs Fulham, (A) vs Liverpool
After a rotten Autumn run that threatened to derail their season, Everton have bounced back in style to take 15 points from the last 18 on offer.
The Toffees’ run of victories included triumphs against Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Wolves, though the recent performances of two of their most talismanic figures could be cause for concern.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have notched just two Premier League goals between them in their last 12 appearances combined, and Carlo Ancelotti will need to get the duo firing again if his team are to push on.
Chelsea
Odds: 5/4
Next 6 games: (A) vs Leicester City, (H) vs Wolves, (H) vs Burnley, (A) vs Tottenham, (A) vs Sheffield Utd, (H) vs Newcastle
Chelsea are still a short price to make the Champions League cut this season, though the Blues’ have been regressing as a force as the season has progressed.
Frank Lampard’s underperformers jumped to 7th after their 1-0 win at Fulham last time out, though Chelsea struggled for long periods against their 10-man hosts en route to picking up just their second win in seven top-flight assignments.
Few of Chelsea’s next fixtures look like being comfortable and, with trips to Leicester and Spurs to navigate along with home game against a Wolves outfit that toppled them at Molineux as recently as December 15th, the picture could look even bleaker for the Blues soon.
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