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

[LawCharltonBest]

Leicester have Spurs and Arsenal away

I’d be surprised if they won one of them, let alone both. They’re dropping a fair few points.

At some point the top 4 will open up wide for us, it’s just a matter of if we can capitalise

 

[El Zoido]

I'm starting to think it will go down to the wire. Would be annoying if Leicester have found form again, but I really cannot see them winning every game so as long as we keep the pressure on we'll catch them. Wouldn't mind needing to beat them on the last day to clinch it.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Top 4 is a bonus as far as I'm concerned. I just want to see a run of good consistent performances so we know we've really turned a corner.

Agreed. Seeing some form of progression is the most important thing. Not seen any since Jose finished 2nd.

 

[Cassidy]

Leicester have Spurs and Arsenal away

I’d be surprised if they won one of them, let alone both. They’re dropping a fair few points.

At some point the top 4 will open up wide for us, it’s just a matter of if we can capitalise

Hopefully Liverpool turn up vs Chelsea too

 

[sammsky1]

Then ideally we all get UCL as city banned.

We effectively have 3 routes into ECL next year.

Surely we can be confident we can make it via one of those routes with this kind of upward trajectory and form!

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Chelsea and Leicester definitely have a tougher fixture list than we do.

We just need to carry on as we are doing and if we do then I'm really confident we'll make 4th at least.

 

[Lee565]

Not overly concerned by Leicester's result today, I was expecting them to get 3 points today and crystal palace's dopey defence made it easy for them, only slight concern is vardy bagging a brace as it could set him off in finding form

 

[diarm]

Chelsea are far too passive here - they should really be trying to make gains on their goal difference.

 

[Dominos]

I'm still not that confident because I suspect we'll probably need to beat Leicester away from home in the last game to get top 4.

Even if you made us slight favourites for the game if there had to be winner, being away from home and the fact Leicester only need a draw means the odds are stacked against us.

If we had just signed Bruno last summer when he was available we'd be sitting in a comfortable 3rd right now.

 

[diarm]

I'm still not that confident because I suspect we'll probably need to beat Leicester away from home in the last game to get top 4.

Even if you made us slight favourites for the game if there had to be winner, being away from home and the fact Leicester only need a draw means the odds are stacked against us.

If we had just signed Bruno last summer when he was available we'd be sitting in a comfortable 3rd right now.

Leicester play Arsenal, Sheffield United and Spurs before that game. Barring a couple of upsets, i can't see us needing more than a point on the last day.

 

[El Zoido]

I'm still not that confident because I suspect we'll probably need to beat Leicester away from home in the last game to get top 4.

Even if you made us slight favourites for the game if there had to be winner, being away from home and the fact Leicester only need a draw means the odds are stacked against us.

If we had just signed Bruno last summer when he was available we'd be sitting in a comfortable 3rd right now.

Too many assumptions considering there's still four games between now and then. They have Arsenal A, Bournmouth A, Sheff Utd H, and Spurs A. Think they'll do well to come away with 9+ points out of that lot, though Vardy loves a big game doesn't he, and they've done it before. We really just need to win every game, it's not going to be easy.

 

[el3mel]

The level of confidence at United at the moment just makes me feel we'll win pretty much any game played now. I think we'll win the rest of our games all regardless, and that will be enough to finish 3rd.

 

[Sandikan]

No-one can have expected anything from Watford today, and Leicester despite being in poor form had a good fixture too.

Wolves we probably expected to do something, so that's our big win today.

Put Villa away next, then hopefully get some good news about City's ban before we play Southampton the same day on the 13th.

 

[charlenefan]

I really want 3rd, it would be such a turn around from where we've been at times this season. Alas I don't think they'll be enough games for that

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

5 games to go and I'm tired already. Nobody wants to fecking come down

 

[TrustInOle]

I really want 3rd, it would be such a turn around from where we've been at times this season. Alas I don't think they'll be enough games for that

Have faith. We will be there after the Southampton game.

 

[WeePat]

United will finish in the top 4, whether it's at the expense of Leicester or Chelsea remains to be seen.

I've said all along since the restart that I think It'll be Chelsea and United who squeeze in there.

 

[crossy1686]

We win all our games and we finish 3rd, it's that simple. Reckon we could even get away with drawing one and still get in.

 

[cyberman]

We win all our games and we finish 3rd, it's that simple. Reckon we could even get away with drawing one and still get in.

Yeah, if we were chasing 1 team then it would be reasonable to think they could win all their games, but not two.
One of them will drop points

 

[peridigm]

We effectively have 3 routes into ECL next year.

Surely we can be confident we can make it via one of those routes with this kind of upward trajectory and form!

Hopefully we take no chances and finish in top 4 as well as win EL. I'd rather not have to rely on City's ban being upheld.
If we do finish 3rd it would be a massive boost on this squad going into the final stages of the EL.

 

[RC89]

Have faith everyone. We will get top 4 and the final game will be to determine if we finish 3rd.

 

[Cutch]

I'm still not that confident because I suspect we'll probably need to beat Leicester away from home in the last game to get top 4.

Even if you made us slight favourites for the game if there had to be winner, being away from home and the fact Leicester only need a draw means the odds are stacked against us.

If we had just signed Bruno last summer when he was available we'd be sitting in a comfortable 3rd right now.

If we can't win a one off game of football against Leicester City to get into the champions league with no home crowd there, and our attacking talent then we don't deserve to be in it.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think we'll be 3rd by the end of next weekend. Midweek is a huge opportunity for us, tough games for both Leicester and Chelsea, while we have Villa and Southampton which can be tough, we just need to stay focused. Plus by the end of our game against Southampton I think we'll know if 5th will make it.

 

[always_hoping]

I see Pep said tonight he has a lot of confidence that Man City will overturn their champions league ban. Money talks if that happens..

 

[PoTMS]

Can anyone clarify whose hands it is in?

 

[TMDaines]

No-one can have expected anything from Watford today, and Leicester despite being in poor form had a good fixture too.

Wolves we probably expected to do something, so that's our big win today.

Put Villa away next, then hopefully get some good news about City's ban before we play Southampton the same day on the 13th.

Yep, this weekend when all four teams had winnable home games was all about not being the one to slip up. A bit frustrating to not close the GD gap on Leicester after scoring five, but oh well. At least Arsenal beat a side above them on the table away from home for the first time since 2015 to hamstring Wolves for us.

Midweek is the time when a win would see you hopefully make gains on your rivals.

 

[TheGodsInRed]

Yep, this weekend when all four teams had winnable home games was all about not being the one to slip up. A bit frustrating to not close the GD gap on Leicester after scoring five, but oh well. At least Arsenal beat a side above them on the table away from home for the first time since 2015 to hamstring Wolves for us.

Midweek is the time when a win would see you hopefully make gains on your rivals.

Perfect time for Arsenal to find some form too, ahead of the Leicester game on Tuesday.

Sheffield Utd also have a big say in the top 4 race so I hope they pick up some form too.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Chelsea's win was expected.

Leicester's win was of course not positive for us but they will surely drop more points in their next matches.

Thanks to Arsenal for their win against Wolverhampton because we have now a very important one-match-advantage against them.

So another positive matchday for us

 

[Zlatan 7]

I think all 3 teams will drop points, just a matter of how many times. Leicester look to have the trickiest fixtures out of the 3 so may come down to the final day with us

 

[crossy1686]

 

[NM]

Sorry but it’s true. Nine games unbeaten in the league. A good record against the top teams and Pogba- Bruno combo working well. You have to be making 4th.

Sorry, but it's true you don't understand math. Pity Niall likes you and you survived the Scouse purge.
Jog on.

 

[bosnian_red]

My guess ignoring cup games is:
Leicester - 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss (66 points)
Chelsea - 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (67 points)
United - 4 wins, 1 draw (68 points)

 

[Ronaldo's Mum Eh?]

Chelsea and Leicester play before our next match vs. Aston Villa.

They will put pressure on us. Villa away will be a real test for us.

 

[rotherham_red]

Not sure how realistic this is, but I'll have a go:

Leicester's fixtures: Arsenal (D); Bournemouth (W); Sheffield United (D); Spurs (D); Utd (L)

Chelsea's: Crystal Palace (W); Sheffield United (W); Norwich (W); Liverpool (D); Wolves (D)

Utd's: Villa (W); Southampton (W); Crystal Palace (W); West Ham (W); Leicester (W)

It could all go to pot for us still, but today was a test for us in terms of handling adversity (going a goal down) and we came through it with flying colours. The only result I have in doubt for us is Leicester, which depending on their form, I could see as being a draw, but otherwise I do think we have it within us to win the rest of our games during the run-in.

 

[ManRed]

We can just go about doing our job and wish for one of the 2 teams to messup. If we get UCL then great otherwise there is a lot to be excited about for next season.

Also I love the fact we were trying to score in the last 15 minutes yesterday. They are aware of the huge gap in GD and working towards reducing it.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

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[amolbhatia50k]

Not sure how realistic this is, but I'll have a go:

Leicester's fixtures: Arsenal (D); Bournemouth (W); Sheffield United (D); Spurs (D); Utd (L)

Chelsea's: Crystal Palace (W); Sheffield United (W); Norwich (W); Liverpool (D); Wolves (D)

Utd's: Villa (W); Southampton (W); Crystal Palace (W); West Ham (W); Leicester (W)

It could all go to pot for us still, but today was a test for us in terms of handling adversity (going a goal down) and we came through it with flying colours. The only result I have in doubt for us is Leicester, which depending on their form, I could see as being a draw, but otherwise I do think we have it within us to win the rest of our games during the run-in.

Really is a nail biting finish. As great we all feel about our football right now, we just can't afford to drop points. Bournemouth are playing terribly so I'd expect Leicester to win that one. It's the arsenal and spurs games where we need to capitalise. I really feel we need to go into the Leicester game ahead of them. And for that, we need to win our games and they need to not. I can see needing to win away at Leicester being a problem.

So yeah it's friggin tight.

 

[Morpheus 7]

It's tight, I hope Arsenal can get something off Leicester. It's really hard to call, think we'll get 4th. Chelsea will scrape 3rd. Even writing this I'm not sure. We are better than both of them, it will be annoying if we lose out.

 

[sglowrider]

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Maybe they like Ogalo are United fans?

 

[Number32]

If Arsenal beat Leicester on Tuesday, their points would be level with Wolves (52), and only 3 points gap with us.

They will enter the race this week, I can't believe it.