SUNDAY SAW arguably the primary four teams in the race for fourth compete in the Premier League. While Arsenal and Man City both had wobbles this weekend, you get the sense they will be the main title rivals to table toppers Liverpool based on what they achieved previously. Assuming they occupy the top three come the end of the season, that leaves one more spot up for grabs to guarantee Champions League football — although a fifth-place finish could also potentially seal entry to Europe’s premier club competition depending on how well English teams perform in Europe.
Of the rest, Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham and Aston Villa will aspire for a top-four finish. At the same time, others cannot be ruled out. Newcastle have had an inconsistent start but secured an impressive win over Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off.
And even the unfancied Nottingham Forest sit third after 10 games, having survived a relegation battle last season. Based purely on today’s results, it is tempting to say Spurs are in the strongest position in the race for fourth. Having trailed Aston Villa 1-0 at half-time, the North Londoners’ much-improved second-half performance saw them prevail 4-1.
But Ange Postecoglou’s men are surely the most unpredictable of the contenders, summed up by the fact that Crystal Palace secured their first win of the season against them last weekend, but Tottenham followed that up by dumping Man City out of the League Cup on Wednesday. Most people were tipping Spu.