With the title race now seemingly a two-horse race, the battle is on to secure Champions League places for next season – and three of London’s clubs are in the thick of it.
In terms of Premier League betting, it’s Liverpool or Manchester City for the top prize but the pursuit of the other top four places is intriguing and offers potential value.
Tottenham, in third, are well placed but by no means sure of securing a top-four finish. They remain odds-on though, with bookmakers typically offering odds of 1/4 or 4/11 on Spurs ending in the top four.
Confidence in Mauricio Pochettino’s side is justified, despite a recent wobble. Prior to that wobble they were still considered as possible outsiders for the title, and with the likes of Dele Alli still to return from injury, they look well placed for the rest of the season.
So too do Chelsea, who have been transformed since a dismal run of results left head coach Maurizio Sarri on the verge of the sack. Recent wins against Tottenham and Fulham have boosted their hopes of a Champions League spot for next season.
Chelsea are typically offered at around 5/11 to finish in the top four. And with the likes of Eden Hazard in great form and Jorginho beginning to produce, their chances now look good – which was certainly not the case a couple of weeks ago.
Arsenal, though, have a lot of work to do. They’re generally priced at around 15/8 for a top-four finish for a reason – they’ve found the going tough in Unai Emery’s first season in charge at the Emirates Stadium.
Of course the major threat to the London clubs’ chances are Manchester United, who have been transformed since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United, generally even-money according to most bookmakers to secure a top-four finish, look like edging one of the London clubs out – and at the moment it looks like being Arsenal, who might have to win the Europa League in order to secure a route back to the Champions League.
In terms of Premier League betting, the battle for the top four is an intriguing one. And the way things have changed so dramatically for United and Chelsea in recent weeks should offer some hope to Arsenal rather than worry them, as it shows how quickly things can change.
Don’t write the Gunners off just yet. They are a side capable of scoring goals and winning big matches. They are more than capable of finishing the season strongly and taking advantage if one of the teams above them stumble in the crucial weeks ahead.