Manchester United have been tipped to win the race to secure Champions League football next season, despite their precarious current position.
After beating Brighton 2-0 in midweek, the Red Devils find themselves in fourth place, the final spot to secure qualification to Europe’s top competition.
But back-to-back draws prior to the win over the Seagulls has opened the door to their rivals, with a number possessing multiple games in hand.
West Ham are the team just one point and one place behind Ralf Rangnick’s side, but Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham could move ahead of both, should results go their way.
The two north London rivals currently have three games in hand, whilst surprise package Wolves have two - including a huge clash with Arsenal next Thursday.
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But BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson is backing United to come out on top by the time May rolls around, suggesting it could end up being an achievement won by default.
"Arsenal have got games in hand but I just feel that sometimes, when the pressure is on them, they cave in a bit," Liverpool legend Lawresnon said.
"Tottenham are losing games and losing ground, and the problem for West Ham is that they don't have the biggest squad. Wolves are outsiders too, because of their lack of goals.
"The top three will stay clear and I just think that, by hook or by crook, Manchester United are going to get fourth place. They are still picking up points even if the way they are playing is totally unconvincing at the moment."
A fourth-place finish would signify a job well done as far as United interim boss Rangnick is concerned, having admitted that is now the primary objective.
"Right now, this is exactly what Manchester United needs and wants - to finish fourth in the league," Rangnick said earlier this week.
"This is the highest possible achievement we can get. The Champions League, to proceed, [that is] not an easy one. [But] in the league, it's number four, that's what we have to achieve and what we're aiming at.
Having replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November amidst a wretched run of form, the German has somewhat steadied the ship, losing just one of a dozen games in charge.
He added: "It [not finishing in the top four] has always been a concern since Ole left the club.
"That was one of the reasons why he probably had to leave the club and of course results like [drawing with Southampton ] doesn't make things any easier.
"This is what we have to face. We have to realise the truth and obviously with results like this it doesn't make it any easier to finish fourth at the end."
United head to Elland Road to face old enemies Leeds on Sunday, a game Lawrenson believes the visitors will narrowly win.
"Manchester United were far from convincing when I watched them beat Brighton on Tuesday,” he explained. “Again, the result was on a knife edge until right near the end but they are still picking up points despite not playing particularly well, and I think they will beat Leeds.”
