Liverpool may have the Premier League title virtually wrapped up, with high-flying Leicester look secure in third place with a five-point gap to Chelsea, while second-placed Manchester City have a nine-point buffer.
But it’s a very different situation in the battle for the final Champions League spot. Chelsea, who currently occupy that precious fourth position, will have no fewer than five teams attempting to chase them down when the season resumes this week.
Manchester United, Wolves, Sheffield United, Tottenham and Arsenal are also looking up the table.
Here, Sportsmail assesses what promises to be a thrilling race for fourth spot.
CHELSEA (Fourth place)
Lampard’s hopes of leading Chelsea to a Champions League spot in his first season in charge received a boost when N’Golo Kante returned to training last week.
It had looked as though the France midfielder would miss the remainder of the season because of coronavirus fears, but the Premier League’s strict testing schedule has helped convince Kante that it’s safe to return.
Lampard has a virtually fully fit squad to choose from for Chelsea’s first game back away at relegation-threatened Aston Villa next Sunday.
MANCHESTER UNITED (Fifth place)
The three-month coronavirus shutdown has been both a blessing and a frustration for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks to lead United back into the Champions League.
The Red Devils were on a fine run of form before football was halted back in March, having climbed to within three points of Chelsea after a five-game unbeaten run.
But while the enforced break robbed them of the chance to continue their form, it has allowed Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford to return to full fitness.
United return to competitive action away at Tottenham on Friday.
WOLVES (Sixth place)
Despite balancing their Premier League commitments with a Europa League campaign, Wolves remain well in the hunt for a top-four finish.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men may have benefited most from the lengthy break and should be fully refreshed heading into their first game back against West Ham on Saturday.
The former Porto boss has no injuries to contend with after his squad came through a friendly with Birmingham unscathed at the weekend.
It is unlikely to be an easy return to action with the Hammers fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
SHEFFIELD UNITED (Seventh place)
Sheffield United’s fairytale return to the Premier League could yet have a very special ending if they’re able to maintain their impressive performances.
Chris Wilder’s men will climb above Wolves and Manchester United and into fifth place if they win their game in hand against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
All eyes will be on that match – the first Premier League fixture since the season was suspended – and the Blades will relish a bigger-than-average TV audience.
It is also a game they really need to win to have a realistic chance of stealing fourth spot, with a difficult run over the next month and a half.
TOTTENHAM (Eighth place, 29 games played, 40 points)
If Spurs are serious about Champions League football next season, Friday night’s home game against United really does appear to be must-win.
Jose Mourinho will be motivated to get one over his old employers, but a victory would propel his side back into the mix for the top four too.
Their chances of doing just that have been boosted by the return to fitness of star striker Harry Kane.
ARSENAL (Ninth)
With a game in hand, Arsenal can still be considered contenders for fourth place – but that could all change come Wednesday night.
The Gunners face Manchester City away from home in the second game back, with three points potentially enough to catapult them up to sixth place.
A defeat, however, would leave Mikel Arteta’s men facing an uphill battle to even finish in a Europa League spot.
After the visit to the Etihad, they face more tough away trips to Wolves and bitter rivals Tottenham, while home games with Leicester and Liverpool will not be easy either.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
The post Who grabs the final Champions League spot as EPL returns appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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