Leicester City 3rd on 53 points
A 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday has Leicester back in the driving seat for a return to Europe's elite competition. Brendan Rodgers' side have struggled for form in recent months and had only obtained 12 points from their last 12 league games before getting the better of Villa, with Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy back in the goals with a double that took his tally for the season to 19. The Foxes' brilliant start ensured they still had a cushion over their top-four rivals, but it has closed significantly since the turn of the year. Everything remains in the hands of Leicester, though, with four of their final five matches against sides also looking to secure Champions League football.
Chelsea 4th on 48 points
Similarly to Leicester, Chelsea enjoyed a strong start to the campaign under Frank Lampard and looked on course for a top-four finish until a dip in form. Injuries have been a problem, but Olivier Giroud has produced the goods in wins over Everton and Tottenham. With other key players such as Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic set to return this month, the Blues are expected to be part of the Champions League next season, especially with games to come against strugglers Aston Villa, West Ham, Watford and Norwich.
Manchester United 5th on 45 points
After back-to-back league defeats in January, Manchester United have turned things around and are currently on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Their £47 million (Dh223m) January recruit Bruno Fernandes has been central to the surge in form and it means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are in prime position to make the most of any slip-ups. Tottenham and Leicester are the only top-four rivals they still have to face, with the majority of their matches against teams in the bottom half. Can the Red Devils continue their momentum or will they have to rely on winning the Europa League to get back into Europe's elite competition?
Wolves 6th on 43 points
Wolves remain in the hunt for Champions League qualification, although like United they could also qualify via the Europa League. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have played a number of the teams in the race for the top-four in 2020 and achieved positive results. It leaves them on the peripheral ahead of a favourable set of fixtures with West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa up next, but after that they have Sheffield United, Arsenal and then Chelsea on the final day, which may prove decisive.
Premier League weekend review
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SATURDAY: Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 1: Jurgen Klopp's side moved another step closer to a first league title in 30 years, despite an early wobble on Merseyside. Callum Wilson put Bournemouth into a shock ninth-minute lead before Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both found the target before the break. It was Liverpool's 22nd successive Premier League win at Anfield, breaking the English top-flight record set by Bill Shankly's team in 1972. Getty -
Arsenal 1 West Ham 0: Alexandre Lacazette's goal 12 minutes from time saw Arsenal defeat their London rivals. It was the France forward's third goal in four games and victory lifted the Gunners up to ninth in the table. PA -
Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0: Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scored just before the half-hour mark to earn Palace a third successive Premier League victory. It was Ayew who earned the Eagles a 1-0 win over Brighton last weekend, while relegation threatened Watford failed to build on their stunning victory over Liverpool. Reuters -
Sheffield United 1 Norwich City 0: Billy Sharp headed home the winning goal after 36 minutes - but Sheffield United were thankful for on-loan keeper Dean Henderson who made three crucial late saves to clinch all three points. The Blades kept up their hopes of a European place next season, while Norwich remain rooted to the bottom of the table, six points from safety. Reuters -
Southampton 0 Newcastle United 1: Winger Allan Saint-Maximin scored the winner 11 minutes from time to earn Newcastle their first victory in five games. Magpies midfielder Matt Ritchie saw his first-half penalty saved by Alex McCarthy, while Moussa Djnepro was shown a red card for a nasty foul on Isaac Hayden. The win moved Newcastle above Southampton in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone. Reuters -
Wolves 0 Brighton 0: Wolves missed the chance to go fourth in the table after a dull goalless draw against struggling Brighton. Chances were few and far between at Molineux, as the Seagulls still await their first victory of 2020. Reuters -
Burnley 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1: A Dele Alli penalty in the 50th minute earned Spurs a point at Burnley, who had taken an early lead through Chis Wood. The result means Tottenham have now gone five games without a win in all competitions and their four-year run of top-four finishes looks like it is coming to an end. Reuters -
SUNDAY: Chelsea 4 Everton 0: Carlo Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge as his Everton team was ripped apart by Chelsea. Mason Mount put the home side in front after 14 minutes with Pedro doubling their advantage seven minutes later. Second-half goals from Willian and Olivier Giroud completed the rout and keeps Chelsea on track for a top four finish. AFP -
Manchester United 2 Manchester City 0: The red half of Manchester earned the derby bragging rights after a goalkeeping horror show for City. Anthony Martial opened the scoring with a volley from a clever Bruno Fernandes free-kick that keeper Ederson should have saved. Scott McTominay added a late second from 35 yards after the Brazilian threw the ball directly to him. United moved up to fifth in the table. EPA -
MONDAY: Leicester City 4 Aston Villa 0: A much-needed three points for third-placed Leicester after their recent slump. Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy was back among the goals with a brace at the King Power Stadium. It took the 33-year-old to 19 goals and reignited talk of coming out of international retirement with England. It was a fourth consecutive league defeat for Villa who remain second bottom. EPA
Sheffield United 7th on 43 points
Chris Wilder's newly promoted side have been one of the stories of the campaign. A steady start to 2020 and three wins from their last four games in the Premier League has Sheffield United arguably as one of the best-placed teams to finish in the top four. Dean Henderson has starred and will be important if they are to give their fans a European tour next season. With a game in hand on the clubs above them and fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves, Chelsea and Leicester left, the Blades are in control of their own destiny.
Tottenham Hotspur 8th on 41 points
Ahead of hosting Chelsea on December 22, Tottenham were looking likely for Champions League qualification, but injuries to Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and now Steven Bergwijn, have hit them hard and they now look big outsiders. Poor results have followed with defeats to Chelsea and Wolves costly. A loss on Sunday to Manchester United could be the final nail in the coffin for Jose Mourinho's side. Even with Kane closing in on a return, it seems Spurs may miss out on the top four for the first time since 2014-15.
Arsenal 9th on 40 points
When Mikel Arteta took over in December, Arsenal's main focus was to move away from the relegation zone, but with the Spaniard shoring up the Gunners defence, they can target loftier ambitions. Even though they have a big deficit to reduce, a win in their game in hand at Manchester City on Wednesday would blow open the top four battle. With goals not only coming from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal are in the mix and consecutive games against Wolves, Leicester and Tottenham in April appear crucial.
