The Run-In

Here's the territory around us with four games to go:



United in 5th (58) is out of reach, and Everton in 11th (45) is not going to challenge for Europe.  Here are the remaining games for each of these teams:

Arsenal:  Tottenham, Liverpool, Villa, Watford
Wolves:   Everton, Burnley, Palace, Chelsea
Sheffield:  Chelsea, Leicester, Everton, Southampton
Spuds:     Arsenal, Newcastle, Leicester, Palace
Burnley:  Liverpool, Wolves, Norwich, Brighton

No one has it easy.  Our last two games may be against teams fighting relegation.  If we're fortunate, by the time we play them their fates will be determined and it may cost them an edge, but you never know, as Tottenham found out a few seasons ago against Newcastle on the last day of the season--the last St Totteringham's Day on record.  Obviously, our next game is crucial; losing at Spuds could all but extinguish our hopes for Europa League qualification.  Anything we can get from Liverpool will be precious.  Then it's a matter of not slipping on a banana peel in the last two games.  Ten points should be enough, maybe nine or even seven if we're lucky.  With three of the teams at a goal difference of exactly eight, running up the score is imperative if we get the opportunity.

Arsenal also has it in their hands to qualify by winning the FA Cup, of course; and if we don't, I think that means that 7th place in the table will qualify for EL qualifying rounds.  I am assuming City will once again be let off and allowed to play in Europe, otherwise maybe 8th place will do.  But we'll be aiming to maximize points and finish in 6th--just in case we can't dispose of City and Man U/Chelsea to win the Cup.