Before the weekend’s shock defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were well-placed to seal a place back in the Champions League. Having won the competition last term, the Blues were sitting comfortably in third albeit having failed to string together a consistent Premier League title challenge.
Whilst Thomas Tuchel’s men still have a buffer to the chasing pack, things might have gotten slightly twitchy following defeat to the Bees. The Blues then will be keen to rubber-stamp their place in the top four over the final two months of the campaign.
football.london has taken a close look at their upcoming fixture list and how it compares to the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur:
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Chelsea: Southampton (a), Arsenal (h), West Ham United (h), Everton (a), Wolverhampton Wanderers (h), Manchester United (a), Watford (h), Leeds United (a)
Average opponent position: 11
It goes without saying that Chelsea have a relatively testing run-in between now and the end of the campaign. The Blues host challengers Arsenal, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, whilst they also face a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.
Clashes against the likes of Southampton, Everton, Watford and Leeds United are excellent opportunities for points though. The Blues’ commitments don’t stop at league action though, with a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid to come, whilst Crystal Palace also lay in wait for the FA Cup semi-final showdown.
Tottenham Hotspur: Aston Villa (a), Brighton & Hove Albion (h), Brentford (a), Leicester City (h), Liverpool (a), Burnley (h), Norwich City (a)
Average opponent position: 12
Having claimed fifth with their emphatic victory over Newcastle United at the weekend, Spurs will no doubt be keen to hold onto their position. The north-Londoners have a relatively kind fixture list in which to do that. Relegation strugglers Burnley and Norwich are set to come at the conclusion of the season.
Antonio Conte’s men also face a few games against mid-table sides including Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford and Leicester City. The most severe test though is likely to be a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Arsenal: Crystal Palace (a), Brighton & Hove Albion (h), Southampton (a), Chelsea (a), Manchester United (h), West Ham United (a), Leeds United (h), Newcastle United (a), Everton (h)
Average opponent position: 14
Heading into the final throes of the campaign, it is actually the Gunners who have the kindest run-in on paper. Games with Palace, Brighton and Southampton are followed by a relatively tough run of Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham. The Gunners will certainly be hoping to all-but secure their top-four place during that run.
Should they not, then the final three games of the season present an excellent opportunity with strugglers Leeds, Newcastle and Everton to come.
West Ham United: Brentford (a), Burnley (h), Chelsea (a), Arsenal (h), Norwich City (a), Manchester City (h), Brighton & Hove Albion (a)
Average opponent position: 11
One of the shock challengers for a place in the top four come the end of the season, the Hammers final run-in is certainly tricky. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are all set to come between now and the end of the campaign - whilst David Moyes’ men will also have to consider a Europa League quarter-final against Lyon.
There are some relatively worry-free games to come though with Brentford and Burnley, whilst Norwich and Brighton both travel to the London Stadium before the end of the season.
Manchester United: Everton (a), Norwich City (h), Liverpool (a), Arsenal (a), Brentford (h), Brighton & Hove Albion (a), Chelsea (h), Crystal Palace (a)
Average opponent position: 12
The Red Devils stumbled again at the weekend having been held to a 1-1 draw against Leicester City and their fixture list certainly presents some challenges. Games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are likely to define the end to their season.
However, they do have excellent opportunities to earn points against the likes of Everton, Norwich City, Brentford, Brighton and Crystal Palace.
