Who will finish in the Premier League top four this season?
By Ross Jackson
Since Manchester City decided they couldn't be bothered with a Premier League title race and instead just opted to run away with it, the main talking point at the top of the table has become the race for the top four.
With Liverpool and Everton still holding a game in hand over the majority of the sides above them, the battle for Champions League qualification is a lot more open than you might think and realistically there's two places in the top four remaining and six teams in the mix.
With that in mind, 90min has taken a look at each side in with a shout of making the top four - analysing their remaining fixtures and predicting their final points tally.
Leicester
Leicester's place in the Premier League top four looked pretty safe earlier in the campaign, but the memory of their late collapse last season suggests we shouldn't be so sure.
A brief look at the table suggests they've dragged themselves over the line, though their inability to beat ten-man Southampton and struggling Newcastle in their last two outings suggests we shouldn't be so sure.
With games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham to come in their final three games, Brendan Rodgers will know the job is far from done.
Remaining fixtures
Manchester United (A)
Chelsea (A)
Tottenham (H)
Final points prediction: 66
Chelsea
It's fair to say that were it not for the man in the picture above we wouldn't even feel the need to mention Chelsea in this list.
Thomas Tuchel's arrival at Stamford Bridge has reignited the Blues' season and they're now firmly in the race for the top four, with just one defeat from their 16 league outings under the German's stewardship giving them a great chance of securing Champions League football.
The Blues produced a superb comeback win over Manchester City last time out (thanks in part to a certain Sergio Aguero), and their destiny is still firmly in their own hands with games against Arsenal, Leicester and Aston Villa to come.
Remaining fixtures
Arsenal (H)
Leicester (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Final points prediction: 71
West Ham
Even the most ardent West Ham fan would have laughed at the suggestion their team would be challenging for a place in the Champions League with three games to play - but here we are.
David Moyes has transformed the Hammers into a well-drilled outfit who can beat anyone in the league on their day, with some astute signings adding to an already talented squad.
Their run-in doesn't actually look too daunting, but three defeats from their previous four outings have seriously damaged their Champions League bid and they probably need to pick up three wins from their final three games if they're to have any chance of achieving what had looked to be an impossibility.
Remaining fixtures
Brighton (A)
West Brom (A)
Southampton (H)
Final points prediction: 62
Liverpool
This year's Premier League has been full of surprises, but Liverpool's abject title defence probably tops the lot.
While Jurgen Klopp can bemoan the defensive injuries suffered by his squad, it's the Reds' lack of goals that's had the biggest impact on their campaign.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their previous six league matches, though late dropped points against Newcastle could prove to be costly as the season heads towards its conclusion.
Remaining fixtures
Manchester United (A)
West Brom (A)
Burnley (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Final points prediction: 64
Everton
Everton have picked up some quality wins against top opposition this season, though their record against the so-called weaker sides has prevented them from sitting in the Champions League places for much of the campaign.
In fairness, you could never accuse the Toffees of being boring, but putting them on your betting slip or selecting their players in your fantasy team should be avoided given their sporadic form.
Predicting Everton's final points tally is absolutely pointless given their erratic displays, but we've done it anyway because, y'know, fun.
Remaining fixtures
Aston Villa (A)
Sheffield United (H)
Wolves (H)
Manchester City (A)
Final points prediction: 61
Tottenham
Surely the final nail has been hammered into the coffin?
Tottenham's calamitous exit from the Europa League a few months ago could have ended up being a blessing in disguise with no more midweek trips around Europe to endure, but instead they've have just fallen apart.
The timing of Jose Mourinho's departure was perhaps surprising with the Carabao Cup final just six days away, though few could argue with the club's decision to part ways with the Portuguese tactician.
Ryan Mason suffered his first league defeat as Spurs boss at Elland Road against Leeds last time out and it would take a miracle for them to achieve a top four finish from here.
Remaining fixtures
Wolves (H)
Aston Villa (H)
Leicester (A)
Final points prediction: 60
Final table prediction
1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Chelsea
4. Leicester
5. Liverpool
6. West Ham
7. Everton
8. Tottenham