Top 4 Race 19/20 | duffer: "We [Chelsea] are getting 3rd. Despite what the lunatics in here think, Man United are not all that."

bsCallout

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I'm guessing because by the middle of our match Ole will know what sort of job we need to do against West Ham and can make the necessary subs vs Chelsea accordingly.

For example if Leicester win then there's a real possibility that we'll need to make serious ground up in our GD vs West Ham to have a chance on the last day and Ole won't want to risk/tire Bruno, Martial, Rashford etc..

However if Spurs win then we'll only need a win or draw vs West Ham to ensure that we only need a draw on the last day to make the top 4.

Although the Leicester/Spurs result won't be known by the time our line up has to be announced, we will at least know by kick off at Wembley what may be necessary against West Ham and then can plan the subs to fit.

EDIT: It's not a massive advantage to be honest since the Chelsea match vs Liverpool isn't until next week and that will also play a major role in what we need to do on the final day anyway.
Thanks. Didnt think about that althpugh I dont think it will be that important. We would still need to win our games really.
 

Riz

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Thanks. Didnt think about that althpugh I dont think it will be that important. We would still need to win our games really.
Yeh exactly I don’t think it’s really that important because the Chelsea/Liverpool match will probably have more of an influence on what we have to do than the Spurs/Leicester match anyway.

I guess if it comes through that Spurs have won by 3 then we’d know a win by 3 vs West Ham would actually allow us to lose by a goal to Leicester and still make it.

So many connotations. :lol:
 

DevilRed

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Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea
Spurs 2-2 Leicester

those are my predictions. Do not count on Liverpool because it’ll end in tears. They won’t come out of first gear against Chelsea. While Chelsea will play like it’s a cup final.

On paper Spurs/Leicester should be a barn burner because both are good going forward and bad at the back. Unless Mourinho opts to park the bus which he really shouldn’t considering Spurs still have a shot at 6th & a EL place.
mou is going to park the bus. Regardless.

Just will depend whether son/kane and co. can be effective on the counter and get the first goal.
 

always_hoping

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Am I right in saying whatever happens in round 37 this top 4 race is going to the final match weekend of the season?
 

peridigm

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Am I right in saying whatever happens in round 37 this top 4 race is going to the final match weekend of the season?
Yes, unless the GD is so much it becomes impossible for us or Leicester to overtake the other if even on points. Basically, we need to hammer(pun intended) Westham and Spurs need to hammer Leicester.
 

unplayable

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Am I right in saying whatever happens in round 37 this top 4 race is going to the final match weekend of the season?
Chelsea can secure their place in the top 4 in match week 37, but it will definitely go to the final match day for United and Leicester.
 

TMDaines

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It's kinda impressive how easily they beat Sheffield United with all these injuries.
From what I saw, it seemed like they got it spot on tactically with Vardy instructed to run wide and use his pace to exploit the gaps the wing backs left. He could then lay chances on by crossing deep for the someone else outside the far centre back or arriving late from midfield.
 

Offside

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Honestly weird as it sounds I have this strange desire for Leicester to beat Spurs. I’d be much more confident of going there if we need to win and it also opens to scenario of both teams needing a draw (if we win and Chelsea lose at Pool) which is a dream.

If we only need a draw there and Leicester need to win then we will 100% feck it up trying to play defensive.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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We really shouldn’t fear Leicester. They are without several key players at the moment.

Pereira, Chilwell, Soyoncu & Maddison are all unavailable.
 

Irwin99

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To be honest, as long as United don't lose against West Ham and even if results go for Chelsea and Leicester I still would be pretty confident going into the last game. I'm extremely confident of United doing the business against Leicester as I think the way we play will be too much for them but West Ham might need points if they don't get all three tonight.
 

duffer

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I'm obviously in the small minority but I'm happy to pretty much take or leave top 4, i'd rather be in it but don't think it's as big a deal as most.
I'd rather win the FA Cup and finish 5th than finish 4th and win nothing.

I do understand the financial implications but I'm old and like winning things!
 

Bullhitter

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I'd rather win the FA Cup and finish 5th than finish 4th and win nothing.

I do understand the financial implications but I'm old and like winning things!
Missing out on CL has and will become a more frequent occurrence for most sides with how stacked the league has and is becoming and the more often something happens the less of a deal it is. Plus if you've been in a up to 5/6 team scrap for the last one or two spots with a handful of games to go the likelihood is you are only getting there to make up the numbers before getting trounced by the elite (see Bayern first leg and god help us second leg) All makes it only slightly more favourable (but still favourable) than being in the EL and a high likelihood of getting to the business end.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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I'd rather win the FA Cup and finish 5th than finish 4th and win nothing.

I do understand the financial implications but I'm old and like winning things!
Same here, but I want both! Or well win the europa too.
I say go for everything!
 

Amadaeus

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@sammsky1 i have an issue with your tag line when @Amadaeus is clearly the number one fan :lol:
To keep on topic, we’d have top four sewn up now if we’d taken on poch, obvs not really
Poch consistently got top four with much less than what current and previous United managers had. The only reason we could get top four now, is because Poch Spurs side is no longer here to take up a spot. You have to remember, before he was sacked, he was only 3 points from top four. Mourinho couldn’t even overturn that small difference and I m sure levy is ruing that decision every time he sleeps at night.
 

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I mean, you're wrong, but ok:


By this logic, it was impossible for Leicester to win the league in 2016.

I think people think I am beating up on Chelsea but I am not, it is just that they are super poor against physical and organised teams which is why I think Wolves will beat them (unless Lampard switchs to a 343 against them to try and prevent the problems they have with crosses - why he didn't do this against Sheff Utd to me is a mystery as everyone knew what they were going to do.)

Then against the Dippers, I just think the Dippers have a lot of incentive to play well - defend their unbeaten home record, bounce back from some poor results before lifting their title etc. To be fair, Chelsea could beat the Dippers as I can see it being a 3-2/4-3 game or something as the Dippers play with a high line which gives Pulisic room to attack. However, Chelsea's defence is absolutely dire, the goals they have given away all season have been shocking.

Personally, I just do not see why everyone on here is so worried about Chelsea when they have only taken 2 points from 18 against West Ham, Bournemouth and Sheff Utd.
 

ZolaWasMagic

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Am I right in saying whatever happens in round 37 this top 4 race is going to the final match weekend of the season?
depends, if we beat liverpool top 4 is sorted for us, cant finish below 4th. For Utd and Leic it'd go to final day though, yes
 

anant

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Chelsea can secure their place in the top 4 in match week 37, but it will definitely go to the final match day for United and Leicester.
Not really. If all 3 teams win in GW37, and Chelsea loses against Wolves, whereas us and Leicester play out a draw, then Chelsea finish 5th
 

Bullhitter

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By this logic, it was impossible for Leicester to win the league in 2016.

I think people think I am beating up on Chelsea but I am not, it is just that they are super poor against physical and organised teams which is why I think Wolves will beat them (unless Lampard switchs to a 343 against them to try and prevent the problems they have with crosses - why he didn't do this against Sheff Utd to me is a mystery as everyone knew what they were going to do.)

Then against the Dippers, I just think the Dippers have a lot of incentive to play well - defend their unbeaten home record, bounce back from some poor results before lifting their title etc. To be fair, Chelsea could beat the Dippers as I can see it being a 3-2/4-3 game or something as the Dippers play with a high line which gives Pulisic room to attack. However, Chelsea's defence is absolutely dire, the goals they have given away all season have been shocking.

Personally, I just do not see why everyone on here is so worried about Chelsea when they have only taken 2 points from 18 against West Ham, Bournemouth and Sheff Utd.
I don't get it either. Liverpool and Wolves are two different tasks but both are horrible match-ups for us in different ways. Liverpool will be motivated and will have a field day against this defence and Wolves are a tough nut to crack for the most creative of sides while Chelsea create next to nothing. I struggle to see this Chelsea side getting more than a single point from the last two games and pretty much think the top 4 hopes are close to dead if Spurs don't beat Leicester.
 

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I don't know about other Chelsea fans, but I would rather Utd beat Leicester and take the top four spot if it gives us a chance at getting top four, even if it means Utd end up finishing 3rd.
I imagine a lot of Chelsea fans will want a result from United against Leicester. At this point I don’t think anyone really cares as long as top 4 is going
 

unplayable

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Not really. If all 3 teams win in GW37, and Chelsea loses against Wolves, whereas us and Leicester play out a draw, then Chelsea finish 5th
I didn't mean it in a way that the results of Leicester and us don't matter. They will make it if one loses their match.
 

edcunited1878

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Be interesting to see whether or not West Ham gets a result today against Watford and how that impacts West Ham going into their match against United.

I'd love nothing more to beat West Ham and put them closer to relegation going into the last match of the season, in addition to United just ticking them off the box as job done going into Leicester. If Watford and West Ham draw today, then I can see West Ham getting turned over by United just to focus on their last match against Villa. If West Ham win today, then Watford will have to get something from their match against City, which will be a tall order. City have to continue playing well because they still have CL and need to keep form. Then Watford play Arsenal last day of the season.
 

Remember the geese

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depends, if we beat liverpool top 4 is sorted for us, cant finish below 4th. For Utd and Leic it'd go to final day though, yes
This isn't true. If you beat Liverpool, but lose to Wolves, you will finish on 66 points. If United and Leicester beat West Ham and Spurs respectively, then proceed to draw their final game, Chelsea will finish 5th on goal difference.
 

theklr

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Be interesting to see whether or not West Ham gets a result today against Watford and how that impacts West Ham going into their match against United.

I'd love nothing more to beat West Ham and put them closer to relegation going into the last match of the season, in addition to United just ticking them off the box as job done going into Leicester. If Watford and West Ham draw today, then I can see West Ham getting turned over by United just to focus on their last match against Villa. If West Ham win today, then Watford will have to get something from their match against City, which will be a tall order. City have to continue playing well because they still have CL and need to keep form. Then Watford play Arsenal last day of the season.
Isnt West Ham more or less safe if they win today? E.g. they wont fight for their lives against us.
 

always_hoping

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I'd rather win the FA Cup and finish 5th than finish 4th and win nothing.

I do understand the financial implications but I'm old and like winning things!
Will Lampard be Chelsea manager next season if Chelsea miss out on a champions league spot? I don't think winning the FA Cup will count for a lot and Roman has sacked his managers for a lot less.
 

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Will Lampard be Chelsea manager next season if Chelsea miss out on a champions league spot? I don't think winning the FA Cup will count for a lot and Roman has sacked his managers for a lot less.
He won't be sacked regardless of what happens now. Same as Ole really.
 

anant

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Will Lampard be Chelsea manager next season if Chelsea miss out on a champions league spot? I don't think winning the FA Cup will count for a lot and Roman has sacked his managers for a lot less.
I don't think he's getting sacked. Most people recognize that their defensive frailties are down to personnel rather than coaching.
However, I do think that the above argument won't stick next year, especially if Lampard is the one who's prioritized Werner, Ziyech and Havertz to their defence
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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By this logic, it was impossible for Leicester to win the league in 2016.

I think people think I am beating up on Chelsea but I am not, it is just that they are super poor against physical and organised teams which is why I think Wolves will beat them (unless Lampard switchs to a 343 against them to try and prevent the problems they have with crosses - why he didn't do this against Sheff Utd to me is a mystery as everyone knew what they were going to do.)

Then against the Dippers, I just think the Dippers have a lot of incentive to play well - defend their unbeaten home record, bounce back from some poor results before lifting their title etc. To be fair, Chelsea could beat the Dippers as I can see it being a 3-2/4-3 game or something as the Dippers play with a high line which gives Pulisic room to attack. However, Chelsea's defence is absolutely dire, the goals they have given away all season have been shocking.

Personally, I just do not see why everyone on here is so worried about Chelsea when they have only taken 2 points from 18 against West Ham, Bournemouth and Sheff Utd.
Obviously there are scenarios where Chelsea miss out. You just seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding of probability.

Also, we are not "super poor against physical and organised teams" - we've beaten the pants off Spurs and Burnley this year, for instance. What we are is wildly inconsistent against organised teams because we expose ourselves at the back when pushing for goals. Also, we didn't play 3-4-3 against SHU because Kante was hurt and Kovacic wasn't fully fit - a midfield two of Jorginho & Mount / Barkley is simply not viable.

You're obviously entitled to think whatever you like but you keep going on as if it's a certainty rather than your opinion whilst also spouting false information - no, Wolves aren't an elite set piece team (they're 10th), no, Wolves aren't some sort of free-scoring juggernaut (8th in goals, 9th in xG) no, Chelsea aren't the worst team in the team on set pieces (6th most conceded), yadda yadda yadda.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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I don't get it either. Liverpool and Wolves are two different tasks but both are horrible match-ups for us in different ways. Liverpool will be motivated and will have a field day against this defence and Wolves are a tough nut to crack for the most creative of sides while Chelsea create next to nothing. I struggle to see this Chelsea side getting more than a single point from the last two games and pretty much think the top 4 hopes are close to dead if Spurs don't beat Leicester.
We scored 5 goals against Wolves already this year without our two best players. I genuinely do not understand this defeatism, unless you're hedging emotionally.
 

always_hoping

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Poch consistently got top four with much less than what current and previous United managers had. The only reason we could get top four now, is because Poch Spurs side is no longer here to take up a spot. You have to remember, before he was sacked, he was only 3 points from top four. Mourinho couldn’t even overturn that small difference and I m sure levy is ruing that decision every time he sleeps at night.
Only reason, ha... and United for the record could finish 3rd yet.


Tottenham was 12th and 11 points off 4th when your favourite manager was sacked. You really need to move on from that sacking. It's wasn't a out of the blue decision for Levy and Poch might not reach his "heights" of winning nothing with Spurs in his next gig.

Jose has managed Spurs for 24 PL matches now

W12 D5 L7 Pts 41

Poch Last 24 PL games with Spurs

W6 D7 L11 PTS 25

Speaks volumes when a well past it Jose can get more wins, points from the same group of players..
 

TheLord

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All tensions aside, it would be best if the PL could field the "modern-day top-four PL sides" for the 2021 CL. In alphabetical order:

  • United
  • Liverpool
  • Chelsea
  • City
 

Zlatan 7

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Poch consistently got top four with much less than what current and previous United managers had. The only reason we could get top four now, is because Poch Spurs side is no longer here to take up a spot. You have to remember, before he was sacked, he was only 3 points from top four. Mourinho couldn’t even overturn that small difference and I m sure levy is ruing that decision every time he sleeps at night.
I assume you’re just wumming, but it’s great :)
 

Matriac

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Looking good for our next match now, West Ham is unlikely to need anything from our match against em.

If this result stands they are safe from relegation as long as they don't lose the next two matches by over 12 goals (though AV in the final match so cut the remaining of 14 gd in half for that match, if AV wins against Arsenal that is.)