Who will finish in the top four? – A question which has become an important topic of conversation when discussing the English Premier League in recent years. The stature of playing in the Champions League, as well as the financial benefits arising from Europe’s premier club competition, means finishing in the top four is a bare minimum for some of English football’s biggest names such as Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as a glowing ambition for a host of other clubs.

Over the past few seasons, the top four Champions League places have exclusively been held by Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. However, these clubs haven’t always had it their own way. In 2005, Everton managed to finish fourth and break the monopoly. The following season,  Tottenham Hotspur came extremely close, only losing out to London rivals Arsenal on the final day.

With the 2009/10 Premier League now past the half way point it seems certain that Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have secured their Champions League berths yet again. However, Liverpool’s inconsistent form this season has opened up a thrilling race for that all important fourth spot and as it stands any one of several teams could be celebrating the prospect of Champions League football come May.

The Contenders

   Tottenham Hotspur

Holding that all important fourth spot at the time of writing, Spurs are well placed to break into the top four this term.  In just over a year ex-Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has transformed the North London club from relegation certainties to Champions League challengers. Spurs porous defence of recent seasons has been seemingly consigned to the history books as Redknapp has built a solid unit from back to front, as well as drawing out the creative spark in Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Nico Kranjcar. When it comes to scoring goals the Spurs boss has four international class strikers to choose from and Jermain Defoe in particular has been prolific as the Londoners have marched up the Premier League table.

Key Man: – Jermain Defoe

Defoe’s second spell at Spurs has been an undoubted success. With Redknapp the England international has found a manager who knows how to get the best out of him after he struggled to impress previous managers such as the Dutchman Martin Jol. Under the former Portsmouth manager Defoe has also matured as a person and evolved into of Europe’s most clinical finishers. Redknapp knows what he is getting with Defoe. The small striker won’t be the hardest working man on the pitch, but when Defoe is in the starting XI the former West Ham striker will inevitably put the ball into the back of the net.

 

   Manchester City

If money alone determined which teams finished in the top four then Manchester City’s place would already be secured. A promising start to the season after a summer of excessive spending had many talking of a title challenge, but their form tailed off with too many draws which saw them lose ground on their rivals. As a result of the autumn slump Mark Hughes was unceremoniously sacked as manager after a thrilling home victory against Sunderland. Former Internazionale boss Roberto Mancini was quickly named as Hughes’ successor and is now tasked with ensuring Manchester City secure a top four finish this season.

Key Man: – Shay Given

City’s expenditure on big name players has inevitably led to the team taking time to gel, nowhere more so than in defence. Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott arrived at Eastlands with large transfer fees on their heads and so far their partnership has offered little in the way of cohesion. As a result Shay Given has been called into action on numerous occasions to keep Manchester City in games as those in front falter. If Roberto Mancini can not address the side’s defensive frailties in the January transfer window then Given could have a busy end to the season as the Eastlands club look to secure Champions League football.

 

   Aston Villa

Last season’s main challengers to the top four monopoly are putting together another worthy assault despite the loss of key men Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry. Their form against the big clubs is impressive having already beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this term. The Midlands side also hold an excellent defensive record after the summer acquisitions of Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock. Further up the pitch World Cup hopefuls Gabby Agbonlahor and James Milner have been in magnificent form while the recent return from injury of summer signing Stewart Downing has also given the Birmingham side a boost.

Key Man: – James Milner

James Milner is having a brilliant season. The former Leeds United trainee only won his first senior England cap in August and by late autumn it was apparent his seat on the plane to South Africa was all but secure, barring injury or a spectacular loss of form. Milner has arguably been Villa’s player of the season so far. In the first few months the 24-year-old impressed in his customary wide position but in recent weeks has moved into central midfield, to accommodate Stewart Downing’s return from injury, where he has been a revelation. His boundless energy and creative ability has seen Villa play with more fluidity than previously witnessed under manager Martin O’Neill. If Milner can continue this impressive form then there is no reason why Villa can’t challenge for a Champions League spot right until the end of the season.

 

   Liverpool

This season promised so much for Liverpool after last season’s closely fought title race with eventual champions Manchester United. Expectations were understandably high on Merseyside when the season kicked off, but two defeats in three games against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively had alarm bells ringing. As summer turned into autumn it became apparent that the Reds would struggle to mount a serious title challenge. Xabi Alonso had joined Real Madrid and in the Spanish midfielder’s absence Liverpool were struggling to assert themselves in games. Groin related injuries to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could not have come at a worse time but a home win against bitter North West rivals Manchester United eased the pressure. Unfortunately, the Reds still crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and will play Europa League football in the latter half of the season. Spanish manager Rafael Benitez has been a man under pressure, but he did come out fighting, giving a personal guarantee that Liverpool will finish in the top four.

Key Man: – Alberto Aquilani

The Reds have desperately missed Alonso’s craft and vision in central midfield with young Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva struggling to fill the boots of the Spanish international. Italian arrival Alberto Aquiliani was injured during the early part of the season but has now returned to full fitness and is ready to challenge for a first team place. The 25-year-old possesses the creative qualities Liverpool require in midfield but questions remain over whether the former Roma player can adapt to the English league, whether he can remain fit and whether Benitez can fit him into Liverpool’s system. If the answers to the above questions are positive then Benitez’s guarantee of a top four finish could very well become a reality.

 

 

Prediction

The brutal way in which Manchester City disposed of Mark Hughes demonstrated how desperate they are to secure Champions League football for next season. Roberto Mancini has been hired to achieve this objective and will be provided transfer funds in the winter transfer window to try and ensure this becomes a reality. If the former Inter coach can spend the money astutely, especially in terms of resolving Manchester City’s defensive frailties then it will be difficult for anyone to prevent the Eastlands club from securing that lucrative fourth spot.

 

 

  Related Articles: