Chelsea's top four bid: Predicted final table and how their run-in compares to Man Utd, Villa and Liverpool
A look at the top four picture and where Chelsea are expected to end up amid a big week of results.
Chelsea managed to gain on all three of their top four rivals this week after picking up a big away win over Aston Villa, winning 4-1 to end a disappointing run of results. Not only did Chelsea gain three points on Villa, but Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle United and Liverpool’s loss to Wolves meant three points were also made up on those teams.
It was a big week for the Blues, who needed a points swing to haul themselves back into Champions League contention. Here we take a look at how the top four race currently looks and how it is predicted to end up.
Current Premier League table
Here is how the Premier League table currently looks
3rd - Man Utd - 51pts // 11GD
4th - Aston Villa - 51pts // 5GD
5th - Chelsea - 48pts // 19GD
6th - Liverpool - 48pts // 9GD
7th - Brentford - 44pts // 4GD
Predicted final table
Here is the predicted final Premier League table from OPTA, who use many simulations to put together the most likely final standings.
3rd - Aston Villa - 65.12pts // UCL probability - 58.24%
4th - Man Utd- 64.51pts // UCL probability - 55.53%
5th - Liverpool - 62.97pts // UCL probability - 40.53%
6th - Chelsea - 62.74pts // UCL probability - 41.40%
7th - Brentford - 57.27pts // UCL probability - 3.72%
Note: UCL probability factors in the probability of the Premier League gaining an additional qualification place, which would make fifth place an automatic Champions League spot. England would have to be among the two best-performing nations in European competitions this season to secure that additional place.
Run-ins compared
Man Utd
Aston Villa (H), AFC Bournemouth (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A).
Aston Villa
Man Utd (A), West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Man City (A).
Liverpool
Tottenham (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man Utd (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H).
Chelsea
Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Man City (H), Man Utd (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A).
Brentford
Wolves (H), Leeds (A), Everton (H), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A), West Ham (H), Man City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A).