Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham: Key fixtures which could decide race for top four

George Flood28 February 2019

While the 2018-19 Premier League title race has now become simply a two-way fight between Liverpool and Manchester City, the battle for a top-four finish and lucrative Champions League qualification is becoming an increasingly intriguing and crowded affair.

None of Arsenal, Manchester United or embattled Chelsea lost ground on a busy Wednesday night as all three sides claimed comfortable victories over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Tottenham respectively.

Spurs' surprisingly meek 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge - which came just four days after a surprise defeat by Burnley - in which they failed to register a single shot on target for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino ended any lingering hopes of a first top-flight title since 1961.

More than that, it may have started some fans worrying that even a top-four finish might be in jeopardy if this recent slump continues, with Tottenham now only five points ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's resurgent United and four in front of north London rivals Arsenal, whom they entertain at Wembley on Saturday.

Standard Sport looks at the key fixtures that remain in the battle for a top-four finish...

Tottenham vs Arsenal - March 2

Tottenham will be desperate to bounce back from those damaging back-to-back defeats and keep the Gunners - looking to hop back on the Champions League gravy train under Unai Emery after a costly two-year absence - at arm's length.

Another high-profile loss could send them spiralling, while Arsenal - current holders of fourth spot - are back in good form and hit five past Bournemouth.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Bournemouth | 27/02/2019

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Arsenal vs Manchester United - March 10

Perhaps the most pivotal clash remaining in the top-four race, this could have sizable ramifications for both teams, with Solskjaer looking to land the United job on a permanent basis.

If Arsenal manage to beat both Tottenham and United, then fourth place could be effectively sewn up as long as they do not drop too many points elsewhere.

In Pictures | Crystal Palace vs Man Utd | 27/02/2019

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Manchester United vs Chelsea - April 28

The third to last game of the season for both clubs and one that follows hot on the heels of a Manchester derby for United.

Predicting the situation Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri may find themselves in tomorrow has been a bit of a struggle of late, let alone two months down the line.

Those are the only fixtures remaining between the teams embroiled in the battle for Champions League qualification, but it is certainly worth noting that midweek Manchester derby which takes place on April 24 at Old Trafford and the fact that Chelsea visit Anfield to face Liverpool 10 days before that on April 14.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Tottenham | 27/02/2019

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Tottenham still have away games to play against both of their former title rivals, with their own trip to Merseyside on March 31 followed by a visit to City's Etihad Stadium on April 20.

EPL Table | How things stand

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts
1 Liverpool 28 21 6 1 49 69
2 Man City 28 22 2 4 55 68
3 Tottenham 28 20 0 8 26 60
4 Arsenal 28 17 5 6 22 56
5 Man Utd 28 16 7 5 19 55
6 Chelsea 27 16 5 6 18 53

Here is a full list of the remaining matches on the slate for all four teams jostling for top-four recognition...

Gameweek Tottenham Arsenal Man Utd Chelsea
28 N/A N/A N/A BHA (H)
date TBC
29 ARS (H)
Mar 2
TOT (A)
Mar 2
SOU (H)
Mar 2
FUL (A)
Mar 3
30 SOU (A)
Mar 9
MAN U (H)
Mar 10
ARS (A)
Mar 10
WOL (H)
Mar 10
31 PAL (H)
date TBC
WOL (A)
date TBC
MAN C (H)
date TBC
EVE (A)
Mar 17
32 LIV (A)
Mar 31
NEW (H)
Apr 1
WAT (H)
Mar 30
CAR (A)
Mar 31
33 BHA (H)
Apr 7
EVE (A)
Apr 7
WOL (A)
Apr 2
WHU (H)
Apr 8
34 HUD (H)
Apr 13
WAT (A)
Apr 15
WHU (H)
Apr 13
LIV (A)
Apr 14
35 MAN C (A)
Apr 20
PAL (H)
Apr 20
EVE (A)
Apr 21
BURN (H)
Apr 22
36 WHU (H)
Apr 27
LEI (A)
Apr 29
CHE (H)
Apr 28
MAN U (A)
Apr 28
37 AFCB (A)
May 4
BHA (H)
May 4
HUD (A)
May 4
WAT (H)
May 4
38 EVE (H)
May 12
BURN (A)
May 12
CAR (H)
May 12
LEI (A)
May 12

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