After a difficult start to the campaign, Arsenal appear to be favourites to finish third, having usurped local rivals Tottenham, but the battle for who will claim the final Champions League spot is still finely in the balance, with both Spurs and Chelsea still in with a huge chance of catching fourth-placed Newcastle.

The Magpies (6/4 to finish in the top 4) have been the surprise package this season and have won their last six in the league so do not look as if they’re about to let up going into their last four games.

Key to their success has been the form of midfielder Yohan Cabaye who, after arriving on Tyneside in the summer, has lit up the league and is possibly the signing of the season.

The Frenchman scored twice in his side’s 3-0 win over Stoke on Saturday and his clever passing and eye for goal could see the Magpies qualify for the Champions league for the first time in almost a decade.

However, it will not be easy and in Tottenham and Chelsea they have two teams who have far greater experience of this situation.

For much of the season Spurs (evens top four finish) appeared to be genuine title contenders and kept pace with both Manchester clubs for the majority over the campaign but in the last two months they have gone totally off the boil and, following Saturday’s defeat at QPR, they now sit fifth – three points off the top four.

The north Londoners do have perhaps the easiest run-in of all the teams competing for the Champions League place but also have a number of key injuries and may have to once again settle for Europa League football in 2012-13.

Finally to Chelsea (21/10 top four finish) who, despite their well-documented managerial problems, now look to be back to their old selves since Roberto Di Matteo took over in March. The Italian has overseen somewhat of a transformation in the Blues players and they now have both an FA Cup final and Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to look forward to.

Di Matteo has done well in rotating his players in recent weeks but they may be found wanting if they have to rely on squad players and, with those important Cup games to come, it may they prove to be too much of a distraction in the top-four race.

All things considered, then, Newcastle should have enough to clinch the final top four spot but its sure to be an exciting end to the season and Chelsea and Spurs will certainly not make it easy for them.

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Both clubs were in the race for a Champions League place last season but both lost out to Tottenham Hotspur, who secured the coveted fourth spot by beating City 1-0 at Eastlands in the penultimate game of the campaign (City 1/2, Spurs 3/1 – Premier League Top Four Finish).

However, City have a cheque book which matches the size of their ambition and big things are expected of Roberto Mancini’s outfit for the 2010/2011 competition.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the Aston Villa manager was pessimistic about his side competing for fourth this season (Villa 7/1 – Premiership Top Four Finish).

He said: “Just when you think your team is getting there, getting close to fourth spot, City appear on the horizon with all this money. It seems to be getting further away.

“Well done Spurs for getting into the Champions League – but up until their second last game, they could have finished anywhere from fourth to seventh.

“Top four remains a possibility but to win the title, you need to have the squad. City will have 28 or 29 top-class players available.”

O’Neill was speaking in response to the transfer saga surrounding England international James Milner, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Eastlands outfit.

The Villa boss admitted earlier in the week that Milner had expressed his desire to leave Villa Park and he admits it would be a significant blow to his side’s top four aspirations should he leave.

“If we do end up losing a player like Milner, it won’t make it easier.”

“You have to replace him, replace his ability and experience, and do it instantly yet do it with someone of probably less value. That is tough.”

Unsurprisingly, City have spent more than any other Premier League club during the close season, signing a vast array of international talent.

Serbia international defender Aleksandar Kolarov became the latest signing on Friday after moving from Lazio in a deal reported to be in the region of £19million.

Kolarov became City’s fourth signing of the summer after they completed moves for Jerome Boateng (£10.5m), David Silva (£29m) and Yaya Toure (£24m).

This spending clout has forced Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to concede that City will win the title one day, provided owner Sheikh Mansour remains interested in bankrolling their endeavours (City 4/1 to win Premiership).

He said: “I genuinely think that eventually they will win the championship.

“If they continue and the owner stays involved, and he seems very keen, then I can see them in the next few years putting together a team that will win the Premier League.”

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With just two or three games left for all the teams involved, no club has taken a firm grasp on fourth position in the Premier League- which brings with it the coveted final qualifying place for next season’s Champions League.

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That place has belonged to Liverpool for the past four seasons but the Anfield club remain the outsiders among the four clubs still chasing the berth. However, Aston Villa are right back in the hunt after a weekend when Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City failed to boost their chances.

For several weeks Manchester City seemed to be in prime position but their last minute loss in the Manchester derby opened the door to the chasing teams. Spurs stepped in with dramatic wins over both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Unfortunately for Harry Redknapp, next up on the fixture list was a trip to Old Trafford and his squad couldn’t pull off a third straight victory over one of the top three. On the same day Manchester City had a tough visit to Arsenal and could only force a scoreless draw.

On Sunday Aston Villa were able to take advantage by winning the Second City derby. It left them level on points with Spurs but having played a game more. Man City lie one point further back but with three to play and Liverpool are two off the pace with just two games to go.

The joker in the pack is that while Spurs and Man City have the extra game, it is against each other – and on top of that Aston Villa visit Eastlands next. For Villa fans there is a dream scenario where the Villains triumph in Manchester and then City beat Spurs in their extra game.

It could leave Villa and Spurs going into the final Sunday on 67 points, with Man City one behind on 66. Spurs would probably retain the initiative though, as their goal difference is currently ten better than the Midlanders. The legacy of the 7-1 drubbing at Chelsea could come back to haunt Villa in a big way.

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Spurs end their campaign at relegated Burnley which is a difficult match to judge- the Clarets could be demoralised and easy meat- or released from pressure and keen to go out on a high. Mid-table sides who are safe would be more predictable opposition.

Related posts:

1. Manchester City v Liverpool- The Race For Fourth Premiership Spot Hots Up
2. Everton’s Stunning Comeback Heats up the Race for Fourth Place
3. Premiership Predictions: Title Race is Wide Open Again

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The Merseyside outfit are now two points behind fourth placed Tottenham with two games to go, although Spurs have a game in hand over Benitez’s men.

Just two points separate Liverpool in seventh and Tottenham (10/11 top four finish) in fourth after last weekend’s results which saw Spurs lose at Manchester United, Aston Villa (15/2) beat Birmingham and Manchester City (11/8) secure a point at Arsenal.

City and Spurs look to have the advantage in the race for fourth with a game in hand over their rivals, although that match is between the two sides at Eastlands on May 5.

With the gap between the four sides paper thin who get the last Champions League spot could well come down to goal difference, an aspect the Reds have a slight edge in following their four goal thumping of Burnley.

Liverpool took full advantage of a Clarets side out of sorts and condemned the Lancashire outfit to relegation after just one season in the Premier League.

Following Sunday’s win Benitez, who guaranteed a top four finish for Liverpool earlier in the season, was once again talking up his sides chances of playing Champions League football again next season.

“We know they (Tottenham and Manchester City) still have one game in hand but we are close and we will try our best,” said the Spaniard.

“If we finish on 68 points we will have a chance because we will have better goal difference.”

Liverpool face Chelsea (1/2 to win the Premier League) next Sunday in a game that could have massive implications for both sides as the Blues continue to battle it out with Manchester United for the title.

Chelsea opened up a one point gap over United on Sunday with a stunning 7-0 victory over Stoke meaning should they beat Liverpool next week and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lose to Sunderland they will be crowned champions.

However, before welcoming the Londoners to Anfield the Reds face Athletico Madrid (10/11 to qualify for the final) in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final.

The Spaniards, who beat Tenerife 3-1 at the weekend, have a slender one goal advantage heading into the game and will have been lifted by the news that Dirk Kuyt might not be fit to play against them on Thursday night.

The Holland international was forced off during the game against Burnley with a calf injury and is now doubtful for Thursday night.

Liverpool are already without Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez, Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel and Benitez will be hopeful Kuyt doesn’t join the growing injury list at Anfield.

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With just two wins in their last six fixtures O’Neill’s side have fallen behind in the race for fourth spot, with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur looking the most likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.  However, Manchester City’s loss to Manchester United  has given O’Neill a glimmer of hope and the Villa boss inists his side can still take the final Champions league spot – although he accepts it will not be easy.

He said:  “People here at Villa have talked about fourth spot for a long time.

“Manchester City have spent in the region of £200million and for £200million there is a fair chance you are going to get some really decent players and that is exactly what they have done.

“Harry Redknapp summed it up five or six weeks ago when he was asked about Tottenham Hotspur.

“He said that they could finish fourth or finish seventh and that was before Everton came into the picture.

“So these teams are vying for the same things as Villa and no-one has said it would be easy.

“In fact it has been exceptionally difficult. But it has been worth the trip.”

Villa stand a great chance of picking up all three points at Fratton Park on Sunday as they have a basically fully-fit squad going into the game against already relegated Portsmouth.  O’Neill’s only concern is Stephen Warnock who faces a late fitness test but the likes of James Milner, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor are all available.   Warnock has proved a crucial member of the Villa defence but Richard Dunne has perhaps been the key man for Villa and they could keep a total shut out against Pompey at Fratton Park (Villa 11/10 to keep a clean sheet).

By Contrast Pompey are struggling with injuries and Hassan Yebda (knee), Kevin Prince Boateng (ankle), Nadir Belhadj (thigh), Papa Bouba Diop (knee) and Tommy Smith (broken nose) all look set to miss out on Sunday.

However, a very much patchwork Portsmouth side managed to secure an unlikely 0-0 draw at Wigan’s DW Stadium in midweek and boss Avram Grant remains keen to see his side continue to put in performances despite the fact their fate has already been sealed.

A win for Villa would be massive in their hunt for Champions League football, indeed a top six finish would guarantee them a place in the Europa League and with Everton in fine form a European spot is still not assured for Villa.  With Pompey’s injuries Villa should come out on top on Sunday, but the Champions League may elude them for another year.

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Sevilla (2.20) are one of several sides looking to clinch the final Champions League qualifying position and they get this round of fixtures underway when the travel to lowly Malaga (3.10) in the tea-time kick off on Saturday.

Alvarez Will Give Sevilla A Tremendous Boost

Sevilla have endured some torrid form of late which ultimately led to the recent sacking of coach Manolo Jimenez. His replacement, Antonio Alvarez, recorded his first win as new manager at home to Tenerife last week and the Sevilla fans will be hoping the ‘new manager effect’ continues for a few more matches.

Malaga are six points clear of the relegation zone but are by no means safe from the threat of going down and will be just as desperate for the three points as their opponents. But with only one win out of their last five games Malaga are not going into this match full of confidence.

Sevilla top scorer Luis Fabiano is getting himself back to full fitness after being dogged by injuries this season, the Brazilian striker will be looking to get his name on the score sheet and is 5.50 to score the first goal.

The previous meeting between these two sides this season ended in a 2-2 draw, with Sevilla thankful to a Luis Fabiano brace for salvaging a point after going two goals down. It is a result Malaga would probably be happy to take before the kick off, but certainly wouldn’t satisfy Sevilla and their new coach. Back Sevilla to flex their muscle in the race for a Champions League spot with a 2-0 win available at 9.00 with PartyBets.com.

Related posts:

1. The Race for La Liga Fourth Spot Intensifies
2. La Liga Predictions: Real Madrid Will Be Too Strong For Sevilla
3. Are Sevilla about to end 14 year Real Valladolid Jinx

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Aston Villa

The draw took Aston Villa to within seven points of Manchester City in fourth, having played the same number of games. This has led O’Neill to claim that his side will need to win all of their remaining five games if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

Their campaign started well but a disastrous March, in which they only won one League game, saw the Midlands outfit slip down the table. Manchester City (4/9 to finish fourth) and Tottenham Hotspur (2/1 to finish fourth) are in fourth and fifth respectively and many see the battle for fourth being between these two sides. However, they have more difficult run-ins than Liverpool and Aston Villa so the door may still be open for the two outsiders if they can sort their consistency issues out.

Speaking after Wednesday’s game, O’Neill stated; “I thought before the game that we probably had to win the whole lot of the matches that were left to give us a proper chance (of the Champions League).

“It would have been a tall order and I would have thought that, certainly after this result, to give ourselves any chance we’ll have to win all five.

“It’s not impossible but it will be tough. You’d need a bit of luck here and there but we’ll go to Portsmouth on Sunday and we’ll give it everything.”

Villa face a tricky trip to Portsmouth this weekend and are 8/13 favourites to secure the win. The South Coast side are 4/1 whilst the draw is 11/4. Should they be able to navigate this clash – and their next two against Hull City and local rivals Birmingham – they could be going into the game against Manchester City on 1 May in a significantly stronger position.

Meanwhile in the race for fourth, Tottenham Hotspur kept the pressure on Manchester City by beating local rivals Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening. This severely dented the Gunners’ title hopes and moved Spurs to within one point and one place of fourth.

Both sides meet each other on May 5 at Eastlands in what could be a fourth place decider. However, there is plenty of football still to play before then and both sides face tricky fixtures this weekend.

City are at home to local rivals and title chasing Manchester United and are 17/10 to pick up the three points. United are 11/8 to get the win they need to keep their title hopes alive whilst the draw is 12/5.

Spurs don’t have it any easier as they host league leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are 11/4 to keep their assault on fourth place on track whilst the Blues are 10/11 to move three points closer to the title. The draw is 12/5.

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