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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Tottenham, Man Utd, Newcastle and Liverpool's top four run-in after Antonio Conte sacked

Yes, it's nearly over. The international break comes to an end this week and precedes the final stretch of Premier League football this season.

While Arsenal and Manchester City square off for the title and there's a wide open scrap at the bottom, four teams look set to be in the battle for the remaining two Champions League places. Manchester United are the current favourites given their impressive first campaign under Erik ten Hag, but Tottenham are only a point behind them - albeit having played two more games.

Spurs have also just made a move which could significantly alter the course of events: sacking Antonio Conte. The Italian's tumultuous 16-month reign came to a predictable end on Sunday, just eight days after his extraordinary post-match press conference after Tottenham succumbed to a 0-0 draw with bottom-placed Southampton.

It's a decision which Newcastle and Liverpool, who currently sit outside of the Champions League spots, will be hoping it doesn't revitalise Spurs' stop-start term, as we reach boiling point in a rollercoaster Premier League season that has already seen a number of twists and turns along the way.

Here's a rundown of each side's remaining fixtures as the race heads to its conclusion.

Tottenham

Unlike their rivals, Spurs only have 10 games remaining and look set to play them under interim manager Cristian Stellini. Tottenham notably play all three of Newcastle, Man United and Liverpool one after the other, meaning their run between April 23 to April 30 is set to define their league campaign which was going off the rails with Conte still in charge.

Fans will be buoyed by the fact Stellini has a solid record as the main man in the dugout, having covered during Conte's absence after surgery this year and for his one-game suspension earlier in the campaign. His first four matches - away to Marseille, then at home to Manchester City, West Ham and Chelsea - all resulted in wins.

Harry Kane's future could rest on Tottenham's finish (Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

That was before a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in the FA Cup prior to Conte's return to the touchline, ending their chances of winning a trophy for another season. Spurs' finish this term could also play a huge role in Harry Kane's future, having entered the final 18 months of his contract with a club who're lacking serious direction.

Tottenham's remaining Premier League fixtures: Everton (A), Brighton (H), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Liverpool (A), Crystal Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)

Manchester United

Currently sat in third place, it's more than just a possibility that Ten Hag's men will play a mammoth 19 games between now and the end of their all-encompassing campaign. Still in the FA Cup and Europa League, United have shown signs of fatigue in recent weeks, picking up just one point from their past three Premier League outings.

They're still the favourites, though, so fans shouldn't be too worried. The return of Christian Eriksen is due to serve as a major boost in April, although Casemiro still has three games left to sit out thanks to yet another suspension, including this Sunday's mouth-watering trip to Newcastle.

Man Utd's remaining Premier League fixtures: Newcastle (A), Brentford (H), Everton (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H), Chelsea (H date TBC), Brighton (A date TBC)

Newcastle

Newcastle's hopes of playing Champions League football are alive and kicking (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

As this season's surprise package, Newcastle have spent most of the term in the Champions League places but recently dropped out. Eddie Howe and his coaching team worked wonders before the World Cup break, but their squad now looks to be levelling out.

A crucial late win away to Nottingham Forest on the eve of the international break was a huge boost to their ambitions, and they're right on Spurs' tail. St James' Park was dreaming of European football before the season began, but now it feels like a Europa League finish could be tinged with disappointment.

Newcastle's remaining Premier League fixtures: Man Utd (H), West Ham (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (A), Tottenham (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A)

Liverpool

Liverpool have had little to shout about this season (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Have your say! Who'll finish in the top four? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.

This time last year Jurgen Klopp's men were on cloud nine - now it can't stop raining on them. Liverpool are miles away from their quadruple chase of last season and only have the top four to focus on instead of winner's medals.

Many neutrals are backing the Reds - who're still level on points with Brighton and Brentford - to edge into the top four out of sheer star power, but will the big names turn up or flop as they have done for much of 2023? We're about to find out.

Liverpool's remaining Premier League fixtures: Man City (A), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Nottingham Forest (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A), Fulham (H, date TBC)

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