Published 19:30 IST, November 9th 2019
Premier League: Could the Champions League spots be decided this week?
Could the Champions League qualification race be decided this weekend as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, and Arsenal battle it out in the league
With the Premier League 11 matches in to the 2019-20 season, the question constantly cropping up is if the top four also known as the Champions League qualification spots will be decided this weekend or not as City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, and Arsenal battle it out with Manchester United and Tottenham seeing their chances fade away due to lackluster performances.
A battle for the top 4
This season there is a wide gap of 6 points between 4th placed Chelsea who is at 23 points after 11 matches and 5th placed Arsenal who is at 17 points after 11 matches and the gap could be widened to a gap of 9 points if Chelsea beat Crystal Palace and Arsenal lose to 3rd placed Leicester City.
There is very little doubt that Chelsea will lose against Crystal Palace as Frank Lampard's team showcased a weak defense in their 4-4 draw against Ajax in a Champions League encounter but their comeback from 4-1 to 4-4 will further strengthen their resolve to continue their 5 match winning streak in the Premier League as they have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 2 in a total of 11 matches they have played so far.
Arsenal need to be wary of Brendan Rodger's high flying Leicester City as they will be facing Emery's team after having won 5 of their last Premier League games and if they do manage to beat Arsenal then it will further cloud Emery's future at the Emirates stadium and dent Arsenal's hope of qualifying for the Champions League.
Leicester City has netted a total of 11 goals in their last two games after beating Southampton 9-0 and bagging a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace and it will be a tricky situation for Arsenal in an away game at the King Power Stadium as Leicester have won 4 and drawn 1 game on their home ground.
An uphill task for Man United and Tottenham
Manchester United and Tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League is rapidly fading away but can hope to bridge the gap and move closer to the qualification spots provided the Red Devils beat Brighton and Tottenham defeat Sheffield United. United and Tottenham's recent lackluster displays have further been marred by impressive displays from their opponents.
Manchester United's short patch of impressive displays was spoiled by a narrow 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Tottenham has to work on their attack if they are to beat Sheffield United which has conceded the joint-fewest goals this season.
If both Manchester United and Tottenham failed to beat their respective opponents, they will be more than 10 points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots.
(With inputs from agencies)
Updated 20:28 IST, November 9th 2019