We’re heading towards the business end in Europe’s top leagues and in England there will be a battle royal for the final Champions League places, with five teams aiming for just one place, maybe two at a push.
13 points separate Manchester United in second place in the Premier League table from Everton in eighth.
The Red Devils and Leicester should be too far ahead. But the Foxes still have the painful memory of losing their top four place held from the start of the 2019/20 campaign after a last day defeat to Manchester United.
But the Premier League 2021 betting odds back both teams odds on to take second and third place with Liverpool and Chelsea the favourites to fight it out for the fourth spot.
West Ham are currently in that coveted fourth place after beating Wolves in a five-goal thriller on Monday night. And they are followed by Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Everton – though the Toffees have a game in hand on all their rivals.
Let’s take a look at four mouthwatering clashes which could go a long way towards deciding who makes it to Europe’s premier competition and who doesn’t.
April 11th – West Ham United vs Leicester City
West Ham boss David Moyes says it is no fluke that West Ham are in the top four, and after 30 games, who would disagree with him?
His side has played good attacking football all season and the loan signing of Jesse Lingard in the winter window was a masterstroke by his former Manchester United boss.
The Hammers ripped into Arsenal in a recent clash, racing into a three-goal lead before capitulating in the second half as the Gunners roared back to earn a share of the spoils.
And they did the very same thing in the opening 45 of last night’s victory over Wolves. But despite Nuno’s side fighting back, the Hammers held on for a deserved 3-2 victory.
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side is full of attacking flair, though wide man Harvey Barnes is injured and the Foxes will fancy their chances of a goal or two.
This is a fascinating clash to call with the SBOTOP odds marginally favouring the Foxes at odds of 2.49, with the Hammers at 2.71 and the draw at 3.11 and recent form is identical. Both teams have won three, drawn two, and lost one of the last six games.
If the Hammers come out on top, then Leicester will be dragged back into the race and it will become two places between six.
April 16th – Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
The return of James Rodriguez to the Toffees’ lineup is a major boost for Everton and he scored a goal on his return in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Colombian star was the inspiration for Everton’s exceptional start to the campaign and he has been sorely missed.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is a cool head and he’ll keep his side focused to stay in the hunt.
Opposite number Jose Mourinho has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks and his star-studded side could only draw with struggling Newcastle at the weekend.
Their inability to hang on to a lead could cost Harry Kane and co. their place in the Champions League and that could mean their star striker is finally on his way out in North London.
April 24th – West Ham United vs Chelsea
East London meets West London in this monumental clash in the capital.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel has transformed Chelsea from a disjointed outfit dripping with attacking flair to a clinical winning machine, and that was until they threw one in to lose 5-2 to relegation-threatened West Brom last Saturday.
Tuchel will hope that was a one-off. But just when it looked like the Blues were staking a serious claim for the fourth spot, their grip has been loosened.
May 1st – Manchester United vs Liverpool
What a huge match this could be.
By the beginning of May, the Red Devils will surely have confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League. But I doubt Liverpool will have and there is nothing the Manchester United fans would love more than to deny their fiercest rivals a place at Europe’s top table.
Liverpool’s Premier League 2021 results have been poor by their high standards they set last season but the Reds were back to their best in a 3-0 win over Arsenal and Jurgen Klopp’s side is still in the 2021 Champions League.
This is the perfect clash of the titans and if fans are back in the stadium by May, then it will be extra special!
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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