Premier League fixtures: Which side in the top six has the toughest run-in as the race for the title and Champions League heats up?
With just nine games left of the season to go, there is still so much to play for in the Premier League this season.Liverpool’s dominant victory over Burnley on Sunday was the perfect response to Manchester City’s demolition of Watford 24 hours earlier.
8The season is nearing a conclusion after months of thrilling dramaWhile there may only be two sides remaining in the title race, the quest for a spot in next season’s Champions League has intensified.16 days ago, Tottenham Hotspur were 10 points clear of Arsenal and seemingly set to challenge City and Liverpool for the title.Now, after a crushing defeat at Southampton, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are wary of their north London rivals and a rejuvenated Manchester United.So just who has the easiest run in as the season draws to a close? Scroll down to find out as talkSPORT.com ranks the fixtures for every side in the top six.
8The Premier League is extremely tight at the top Manchester City (Current position – 1st)
8Premier League champions City are hoping to defend their crownPep Guardiola will surely be delighted with his side’s final run of fixtures. City face Fulham away and then Cardiff City at home – two games you would fully expect them to win.They then travel to Crystal Palace before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad and then making a short trip to Old Trafford for a potentially decisive Manchester derby.City’s final three games are against sides who should all have secured their Premier League status and will have little to play for as they travel to Burnley, play Leicester City at home and then go to Brighton.Of all the sides in the top six, City have the easiest run in and would be quietly confident of potentially even securing maximum points. Since the start of 2019, the Citizens have lost just one game and are the form side heading into the final straight.
Difficulty rating – 7.5/10Liverpool (Current position – 2nd)
8Liverpool have never won the Premier League titleThe chance to lift the FA Cup has been and gone for the Reds after defeat at Wolves so they will travel to Fulham next Sunday before a home game against Tottenham.A trip to the coast to face Southampton precedes a home game against Chelsea before another trip south to face relegation candidates Cardiff City.Huddersfield then go to Anfield before fixtures at Newcastle United and then at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.If Jurgen Klopp is to finally becomes the first Liverpool manager to lift the Premier League then he has to fix their away form against lesser teams. Dropping points at West Ham United and then Everton could prove costly by the time May comes around.
Difficulty rating -7/10Tottenham Hotspur (Current position – 3rd)
8Spurs are surely out of the title run after their poor formAfter a good start to 2019, Tottenham Hotspur appear to be drifting away once again. Their run is dependent on FA Cup results, but could well welcome Crystal Palace to their new stadium after their trip to Anfield.Brighton and Huddersfield then travel to north London before another tough test on the road at Manchester City and then a home game against rivals West Ham.A trip to Bournemouth is their penultimate fixture before they round the season off against Everton at home.With the Champions League quarter-final still to be played and with Dele Alli and Harry Kane slowly but surely returning to form, Mauricio Pochettino MUST address the recent dip in form to ensure another promising season does not go to waste.
Difficulty rating – 8/10Arsenal (Current position – 4th)
8Unai Emery’s men secured a much-needed win over Manchester UnitedArsenal’s inconsistency continues to leave fans firmly on the edge of their seats for the full 90 minutes, they face a difficult trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers before a home game against Newcastle.Their remaining fixtures are rather kind as they travel to struggling Everton and then to Watford before a home tie against Crystal Palace.It is then on to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City before welcoming Brighton in their last home game of the season before a tricky trip to Burnley.Although they do not face any of their top six rivals, it is the tricky away games against the likes of Wolves and Burnley which have caused Arsenal to slip up in the past.
Difficulty rating – 6/10Manchester United (Current position – 5th)
8Ole’s at the wheel and United are hoping to finish the season stronglyOle Gunnar Solskjaer can do little wrong at the moment, although he will be demanding a reaction from his players after tasting his first defeat in the Premier League. The visit of Watford next up gives United the chance to put things right.United then go away to Wolves, face West Ham home and then make a short trip to Everton – three games you would imagine they would get maximum points from.In what is potentially a season-defining game, there is the small matter of the Manchester derby and then the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford for Solskajaer to contend with. The final two games are much kinder as they travel to Huddersfield and then welcome Cardiff City – two sides who could well be relegated by then.If United are to qualify for the Champions League, they surely cannot afford to slip up again. With Arsenal now two points ahead of them and with an easier run-in, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ will be well aware of the challenge his Red Devils’ face.
Difficulty rating – 8.5/10Chelsea (Current position – 6th)
8Chelsea want to make a return to the Champions LeagueAfter a bright start, Chelsea’s season is in huge danger of ending in disappointment. They now must prepare for back-to-back away games against Everton and Cardiff City before welcoming West Ham United to Stamford Bridge.After that, a daunting trip to Liverpool awaits with a home game against Burnley followed shortly afterwards with another trip to the north-west to face Manchester United.The final two fixtures are relatively simple on paper, as Watford travel to west London before an away day at Leicester City.If Maurizio Sarri wants to keep his job, he surely has to finish in the top four. But difficult trips to Anfield and Old Trafford and the home visit of West Ham (notorious at raising their game against the big sides) will ask serious questions of his side.
Difficulty rating – 9/10
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