Last week Tottenham fans were in full voice, confidently cheering on their dominant side with a chant of ‘Leicester, we’re coming to get you!’. This was valiantly overtaken by Foxes fans with their own chorus of ‘Barcelona, we’re coming to get you!’ as they pulled apart Swansea 4-0 without leading man Jamie Vardy. Subsequently, Tottenham ballsed it up, conceding a late equaliser to West Brom to leave the table-toppers needing just three points. With just three weeks to go, we look at the Premier League run-in to the title and Champions League places.
Leicester
(Goal Difference 30, Points 76)
Oh Leicester, how we love and envy you. This most unlikely of heroes is storming their way to the title, and there hasn’t for a while now been any sign of anyone catching them. Their seemingly tough final three games – against Manchester United (A), Everton (H), and Chelsea (A) – had people wondering if they’d last the distance. Well, it doesn’t look like they’ll need too. Take a win at Old Trafford and they can forfeit the last two games. Though of course they won’t. They wouldn’t want this year to end.
Tottenham
(Goal Difference 39, Points 69)
Until drawing with West Brom, this challenge was well and truly on. But as has often been the case with Tottenham they’ve let it slide at the final hurdle. This young squad, that has looked the goods for so long, will likely find themselves at the end of a boisterous rendition of You won the league in black and white the next time they play Arsenal. But there’s still a bit to play for for Spurs. That song will hurt a hell of a lot less should they finish above their rivals for the first time in two decades, and they’re still not completely safe from a Champions League scrap, with United capable of overtaking them from back in fifth. Tottenham face Chelsea (A), Southampton (H) and Newcastle (A), and may need to do this without young star Delle Alli after he embodied Muhammad’s spirit and let fly a right-hook.
Man City
(Goal Difference 32, Points 64)
What a strange season for the heir-elects (well, they are getting Pep after all). Not only have the players vastly underperformed, they’ve also seen a manager get the sack but keep working and they’ve seen Leicester take their place at the top. All this whilst making a run to the semi-finals of the Champions League. With domestic games to come against Southampton (A), Arsenal (H) and Swansea (A), the Blues need to make sure their concentration doesn’t slip. They’re holding onto third by a thread, and Pep wouldn’t be too pleased to not be playing Europe next year.
Arsenal
(Goal Difference 24, Points 64)
Arsenal fans can look away. Another year, another fight for Champions League football. More discontent and frustration in place of expectation and trophies. If it weren’t so sad you’d laugh. But, like Tottenham across the street, Arsenal still has a lot to play for with three games remaining that could define their next five years. Missing out on the Champions League would be a massive blow to the Gunners’ aim at rebuilding in the summer. They play Norwich (H), Man City (A) and Aston Villa (H) and really need to find the form they had at the turn of the year.
Manchester United
(Goal Difference 12, Points 59)
It may not have seemed likely, but United might just do it. And Van Gaal might just keep his job. An FA Cup win and a fourth place finish and this club might be functioning again against all odds. But there’s a lot to do. They have a game in hand, so play four games – Leicester (H), Norwich (A), West Ham (A) and Bournemouth (H) – and really need to be winning most if not all of these to sneak into the Champions League spots.
