Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

[bubble07]

But those are the games where they’ve struggled sometimes in recent years.

But now they have forwards that shit teams cant deal with and are slightly better in defence

 

[Reprobate]

I do worry about the game at Stamford Bridge. It's a must win game for them and they're going to be up for it.

Will be interesting to see how Pochettino approaches it. The objective is to not lose, a win would be a bonus.

The fact everyone will know a draw would be decent for us and they have to win, makes it feel like the same kind of pressure (reverse-pressure?) as the Juve second leg. Again against a team that has shown more experience in these scenarios.

Still, the harder they come...

 

[Tucker]

But now they have forwards that shit teams cant deal with and are slightly better in defence

It’s not their technique that has made them struggle in these kind of games. It’s their attitude. They still feel they can turn up to games and have teams roll over for them. Let’s not forget how West Brom turned them over at Anfield in the cup.

 

[Colonel Dax]

Next league game is massive, obviously. "Season defining" probably not an exaggeration. Given our poor record at Stamford Bridge I'd happily take a draw. Top priority - avoid defeat and stop those pricks from gaining ground on us.

A win would be fantastic though. Bad memories of the reverse fixture at Wembley earlier in the season still linger. Not to mention the FAC semi last season.

 

[spursfan77]

Next league game is massive, obviously. "Season defining" probably not an exaggeration. Given our poor record at Stamford Bridge I'd happily take a draw. Top priority - avoid defeat and stop those pricks from gaining ground on us.

A win would be fantastic though. Bad memories of the reverse fixture at Wembley earlier in the season still linger. Not to mention the FAC semi last season.

I think what happens before then really will effect our thinking going into the game. Obviously we go into every match trying to win but Liverpool play twice, against Watford and Palace, before we play again. If they win both those then we might have to beat chelsea to keep in contact with them. I don't think they will though. Got a feeling Liverpool will drop points in one of those games, which in turn will then really put the pressure on them. Especially if we then do get the win at Chelsea (it is long overdue).

 

[djee]

Liverpool have such an easy run now

Disagree.

- Watford are unpredictable and have enough to hurt any side. They should have put at least 1 or 2 past Arsenal yesterday. Liverpool will rightly be strong favourites but Watford have goals in them and can bully a weak defence.
- Palace away will be particularly tough. They will be fighting hard and have turned in decent performances against Utd and CFC in recent weeks. Zaha, Mamadou Sakho, Loftus Cheek and apparently Cabaye all returning provide a big boost for them. Certainly, a tougher side than we faced.
- They still have to go to Everton for the derby.
- Away to CFC in their penultimate game.

They do seem to have 4 straightforward fixtures in Bournemouth, WBA, Stoke and Brighton but LFC are not this unstoppable force.

It will be a tough battle and we will need to scrap hard for every point. Just don't think, at least based on the above, Liverpool have an 'easy run.' In fact, I think they would do very well to get more than 5 wins from their lot.

 

[T-Love92]

But those are the games where they’ve struggled sometimes in recent years.

Tought exactly the same... Liverpool struggle against those teams, sit deep an they will have problems especially away from home

 

[Spurs 1961]

Next league game is massive, obviously. "Season defining" probably not an exaggeration. Given our poor record at Stamford Bridge I'd happily take a draw. Top priority - avoid defeat and stop those pricks from gaining ground on us.

A win would be fantastic though. Bad memories of the reverse fixture at Wembley earlier in the season still linger. Not to mention the FAC semi last season.

Chelsea seem to know how to get a result against us. We really do need to get something against them this time to give us confidence for our future encounters

 

[cozzo]

How many wins guarantees us top 4?

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

How many wins guarantees us top 4?

8

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Chelsea are on 56 points - they can finish on 80

In order for us to finish above 80 - we need 20 points in 8 matches. So, 7 wins.

But, if we beat Chelsea, the max they can get is 77, in which case we need 17 points - or 6 wins.

 

[Styopa]

Chelsea are on 56 points - they can finish on 80

In order for us to finish above 80 - we need 20 points in 8 matches. So, 7 wins.

But, if we beat Chelsea, the max they can get is 77, in which case we need 17 points - or 6 wins.

Or we draw, the max they can get is 78, in which case we need 18 points or 6 wins.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

We also got the tie breaking goal difference, which means that if it stays that way we won't have to beat them on aggregated points.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

We also got the tie breaking goal difference, which means that if it stays that way we won't have to beat them on aggregated points.

Dangerous way of looking at it with this many matches to play - because if they pick up 5 points on us - they will close the GD gap also. By definition, we will drop and/or they will improve if they make up 5 points.

For example - if we lose to Chelsea 3-0, and we draw Man City, while Chelsea beat Southampton 3-0 - we would be level on points and goal differential.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Dangerous way of looking at it with this many matches to play - because if they pick up 5 points on us - they will close the GD gap also. By definition, we will drop and/or they will improve if they make up 5 points.

For example - if we lose to Chelsea 3-0, and we draw Man City, while Chelsea beat Southampton 3-0 - we would be level on points and goal differential.

As much as you are correct, but it's still way too much assumptions and ifs and butts. Of course if they catch up on the goal difference, it's no longer a tie breaker.

 

[Trix]

Dangerous way of looking at it with this many matches to play - because if they pick up 5 points on us - they will close the GD gap also. By definition, we will drop and/or they will improve if they make up 5 points.

For example - if we lose to Chelsea 3-0, and we draw Man City, while Chelsea beat Southampton 3-0 - we would be level on points and goal differential.

You'd still rather have the GD advantage than not.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

You'd still rather have the GD advantage than not.

Agree - but I'd rather have the league won too!!

ETA - the point is - if we lose points, we lose the GD advantage also - so better to simply think in terms of winning on points.

 

[bubble07]

City win next 2 games they will not have anything to play for against us

 

[rossdapep]

I think 5 wins and a draw against Chelsea will be enough. I just can't see them taking close to maximum points (20-24) from all their games. Still, it would be nice to finally lay that Stamford Bridge ghost to bed and win there, making their task all the more harder whilst allowing us to apply a bit of pressure on United.

 

[ShaunL84]

City win next 2 games they will not have anything to play for against us

Hoping this is the case. Would be a massive boost for us.