Race for 4th (or higher) 4.0

[nicdic]

I've almost given up trying to predict what will happen now. As it stands Chelsea look like the team we're most likely to finish above as Arsenal are in very good form and have a relatively easy run in.

Suddenly our games against Wigan, Stoke and Sunderland don't look easy as they'll all probably be in the relegation scrap, whilst Everton are still in with a shout of top 4 themselves so will give everything in the next game. The City and Chelsea games will obviously be tricky so it means we'll have to be at the top of our game for every minute of every match until the end of the season.

My concern is that we're still far too reliant on one player to get our goals, whereas Chelsea, Arsenal and City look to have a greater all round goalscoring threat which could ultimately be the difference.

As I said though it's almost impossible to tell at this stage.

We could always move Vertonghen out of defence into midfield or attack, might help?

 

[ThorntonSpur]

No worries. Ade will score the winner against sunderland cementing third and sending them down whilst Newcastle battle back to snatch a draw against arsenal . meanwhile the cameras catch rafa stripping off to reveal his ' I love kenny' t shirt whilst planting a giant Liverpool flag in the centre circle.

 

[Cavehillspur]

All ifs and buts

BUT....

Just looking at the next 2 fixtures for us things could get very exciting. If we can despatch the Toffees on Sunday we go back to within 2 points of City. City travel to United the following evening and after what happened last year I fully expect Utd to turn them over, ending Citys title challenge once and for all, it will hopefully completely demoralise them for a bit, if not the remainder of the season.

The next weekend we are free while City take on Chelsea in the semi final, another gruelling game for them no doubt.

The following weekend they come to the Lane, hopefully in tatters and in the knowledge that if Spurs win we will leapfrog City into 2nd place.

Like I said all ifs and buts but an exciting prospect nonetheless

 

[Hitch]

All ifs and buts

BUT....

Just looking at the next 2 fixtures for us things could get very exciting. If we can despatch the Toffees on Sunday we go back to within 2 points of City. City travel to United the following evening and after what happened last year I fully expect Utd to turn them over, ending Citys title challenge once and for all, it will hopefully completely demoralise them for a bit, if not the remainder of the season.

The next weekend we are free while City take on Chelsea in the semi final, another gruelling game for them no doubt.

The following weekend they come to the Lane, hopefully in tatters and in the knowledge that if Spurs win we will leapfrog City into 2nd place.

Like I said all ifs and buts but an exciting prospect nonetheless

City do have Wigan at home on the Wednesday before they play us though and despite this being Wigan's time of year the very most I can see them nicking at the Etihad is a draw. Thus I don't foresee a scenario where a Spurs win over City will allow us to leapfrog them. Nevertheless, exciting to think that we could we be right in the mix for second if we win our next two games.

 

[Shanks]

All ifs and buts

BUT....

Just looking at the next 2 fixtures for us things could get very exciting. If we can despatch the Toffees on Sunday we go back to within 2 points of City. City travel to United the following evening and after what happened last year I fully expect Utd to turn them over, ending Citys title challenge once and for all, it will hopefully completely demoralise them for a bit, if not the remainder of the season.

The next weekend we are free while City take on Chelsea in the semi final, another gruelling game for them no doubt.

The following weekend they come to the Lane, hopefully in tatters and in the knowledge that if Spurs win we will leapfrog City into 2nd place.

Like I said all ifs and buts but an exciting prospect nonetheless

And at the same time Utd go to Arsenal and win the title on their turf.

Win, Win, Win..... WIN!

 

[Mullers]

All ifs and buts

BUT....

Just looking at the next 2 fixtures for us things could get very exciting. If we can despatch the Toffees on Sunday we go back to within 2 points of City. City travel to United the following evening and after what happened last year I fully expect Utd to turn them over, ending Citys title challenge once and for all, it will hopefully completely demoralise them for a bit, if not the remainder of the season.

The next weekend we are free while City take on Chelsea in the semi final, another gruelling game for them no doubt.

The following weekend they come to the Lane, hopefully in tatters and in the knowledge that if Spurs win we will leapfrog City into 2nd place.

Like I said all ifs and buts but an exciting prospect nonetheless

Both City and Chelsea have a number of experienced players who have won things already in their career, whatever the result they will be up for it when they play us.

 

[Flightrisker]

All ifs and buts

BUT....

Just looking at the next 2 fixtures for us things could get very exciting. If we can despatch the Toffees on Sunday we go back to within 2 points of City. City travel to United the following evening and after what happened last year I fully expect Utd to turn them over, ending Citys title challenge once and for all, it will hopefully completely demoralise them for a bit, if not the remainder of the season.

The next weekend we are free while City take on Chelsea in the semi final, another gruelling game for them no doubt.

The following weekend they come to the Lane, hopefully in tatters and in the knowledge that if Spurs win we will leapfrog City into 2nd place.

Like I said all ifs and buts but an exciting prospect nonetheless

Updated my chart thingy to include City. Also now marking all top 6 in yellow and all relegation battlers in red.

 

[hazzaaa]

http://thediaryofayogi.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/stressed_eric_by_darkjak-d37qi94.jpg

 

[AngerManagement]

Things can change in regards to which teams should be considered fighting for survival and which have nothing to play for

QPR for example, they're already 7 points off safety.....they could be relegated by the time they face Arsenal (or they could be right back in the mix for survival I guess)
Stoke for us will hopefully be safe and away on their holidays before we face them

Teams like Liverpol are listened as having nothing to play for against Everton yet that overlooks the fact its a huge derby and as a result is a massive game regardless (so to Fulham for Chelsea to a lesser extent)

I still don't see how anyone could logically look at the run ins and think Arsenal on paper have a much easier one to us, but I maintain Arsenal are not that good (before they beat Bayern everyone was calling them the Worst Arsenal team of the Wenger era) and I do think they will slip up even though on paper they really shouldn't

Concerns being Man U won't really need to win, but Sir Alex will still fire his team up for the game I am sure and Arsenal have match winners who can get them out of trouble (more so than us who currently have Bale really.....even JV's goals have all been from bale assists recently)

Chelsea and Man CIty are the same, even if off form they have an abundance of match winners

We need a striker to step up, Ade has to step up. Bale can't do it all by himself (can he?)

 

[Shadydan]

Updated my chart thingy to include City. Also now marking all top 6 in yellow and all relegation battlers in red.

You may need to consider that Chelsea will be in the FA Cup final on the 11th May as well

 

[kcmei]

Updated my chart thingy to include City. Also now marking all top 6 in yellow and all relegation battlers in red.

May be you can add home and away too. Thanks.

 

[Flightrisker]

Things can change in regards to which teams should be considered fighting for survival and which have nothing to play for

QPR for example, they're already 7 points off safety.....they could be relegated by the time they face Arsenal (or they could be right back in the mix for survival I guess)
Stoke for us will hopefully be safe and away on their holidays before we face them

Indeed, I'll be updating it week by week you'll be excited to know.

The "white" games do have a few tricky ones in them for sure, Liverpool Everton being a derby as you said and of course Rafa bringing Chelsea to Anfield is bound to be an emotional affair.

 

[Flightrisker]

You may need to consider that Chelsea will be in the FA Cup final on the 11th May as well

Weird, I had considered that but then I convinced myself it was after the season ends. Didn't it used to be? Or did I make that up?

I'll see if it's them or City before messing around.

 

[Flightrisker]

May be you can add home and away too. Thanks.

Home in bold, away in... nice...

 

[beats1]

We could potentially play Chelsea 3 TIMES!!! in 2 WEEKS!

 

[Shadydan]

Weird, I had considered that but then I convinced myself it was after the season ends. Didn't it used to be? Or did I make that up?

I'll see if it's them or City before messing around.

Was up until about 3 years ago, now the final is played a week before the league is finished.

So on that weekend if they reach the final they'll have to re-arrange the Villa fixture and looking at it I have absolutely no idea when they're gonna play that without impacting our fixture.

 

[jonnyrotten]

Cheers for doing that chart Flightrisker.

One thing that stands out for me is how important it will be for the team to really rest and recuperate after Basel. That could be the last break until season end if all goes well in the Europa.

Also, Arsenal play THREE league games between our game with Everton finishing and our City game kicking off. Worst case scenario is that we kick off the league game after next a massive eight points behind the gooners, albeit with two games in hand.

 

[Sandro30]

Was up until about 3 years ago, now the final is played a week before the league is finished.

So on that weekend if they reach the final they'll have to re-arrange the Villa fixture and looking at it I have absolutely no idea when they're gonna play that without impacting our fixture.

If Chelsea get to the final of both competitions then they literally have no space to play Villa

 

[jonnyrotten]

If Chelsea get to the final of both competitions then they literally have no space to play Villa

What are the options if they reach both cup finals then?

1. Chelsea end up with a crazy schedule like this one. Not going happen imo

Sat 4: Man U
Mon 6: Spurs
Weds 8: Villa
Sat 11: Fa Cup Final

2. Villa game with Chelsea is moved to something like Weds 22 May

3. Final set of Prem games get put back to Tuesday 21st to allow Chelsea to play Villa on Saturday 19th

Sorry but if Chelsea reach both cup finals I can't see them finishing top 4. All options look nasty (ah well!).

 

[Monkey boy]

Cheers for doing that chart Flightrisker.


Also, Arsenal play THREE league games between our game with Everton finishing and our City game kicking off. Worst case scenario is that we kick off the league game after next a massive eight points behind the gooners, albeit with two games in hand.

OMG please refrain from putting thoughts like this in our heads in future. If this happens ill literally break down and sob, which will be mild compared to what some people on here will do.