Premier League top four race: Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle United predicted finish

Chelsea are locked in an intense battle for a Champions League spot, currently in fourth place but hanging on by a thread. The Blues are goal difference above Newcastle United, one point ahead of Manchester City and two ahead of Aston Villa.

The top four race is by the far the most intriguing element of the Premier League at this stage, with relegation and the title all-but sorted out already. As Chelsea look to battle their way back to Champions League football. we have rounded up the latest on the top four race.

Top four or top five?

Currently, England is on course to secure a fifth Champions League spot due to this season’s performance in Europe. England is currently in top spot with more than 24.5 points, while Spain are in second with 21.6, and Italy are third with 20.1. Those points can shift pretty quickly if a number of clubs are knocked out of European competitions at once, but England only has to finish in the top two to get a fifth Champions League spot.

Predicted top four race

OPTA’s latest Premier League prediction sees Newcastle United winning the race to finish fourth with an expected final points total of 66, one ahead of Manchester City in fifth.

Chelsea are tipped to finish in sixth with 63 points, and that would put them one point ahead of Aston Villa. Fulham are expected to finish eighth, which could become a Conference League place.

What Maresca has said about top four race

Maresca told Football London this week when asked about the top four race: “To get top four or top five, fight for the title, you need the right balance. Overall in terms of numbers, we are there since the start. To be honest, I didn't prepare the game today thinking it's been a long time since we win away and we need to win.”

What Howe has said about top four race

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has said: "It could be game-changing in terms of revenue and also in terms of what it means and the competition, and then of course the changes that you have to make to be ready for Champions League football. That changes everything -- as we found last year to our cost to some degree with the extra games -- so there's a lot to think about."

He added: "It's one of the tightest Premier Leagues that we've seen in recent times, very little between the teams competing for those places, so it's going to come down to who is the most consistent.”

What Guardiola has said about top four race

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said: "The pressure is always there. In the big clubs the pressure is always there. You have to press yourself to do your best. It doesn't matter what you are playing for. The reality is to try to finish in the top four and tomorrow (Saturday) we have an opportunity to go third in the table and climb and secure this target."

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