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EPL Odds: Chelsea drift to 2/1 for a top four finish following defeat at Everton

  /  autty

With Liverpool and Manchester City battling it out for the title, the four sides below them continue to strive for Champions League qualification

Just four points separate third and sixth place in the Premier League. With eight games to go, the battle for Champions League qualification looks set to go down to the wire.

Tottenham have picked up just one point from their previous four top-flight matches but are 4/9 (1.44) favourites with bet365 to secure one of the coveted spots this term. With 61 points, they are three ahead of fifth place Manchester United and four better off than Chelsea.

Spurs have confirmed that their next home game - a rearranged tie with Crystal Palace - will take place in their new stadium on April 3, but will a move from Wembley enhanced their top four credentials?

New surroundings can bring their own adjustment period but with stuttering form and the competition snapping at their heels, Mauricio Pochettino's side can ill afford a slow start at the rebuilt White Hart Lane.

bet365 also offer prices on each of the candidates not to finish in the top four, with Tottenham priced at 7/4 (2.75) to miss out. Given that Tottenham still have visits to Anfield and the Etihad Stadium to come as well as a stadium move of their own, that quote could be worth considering for punters.

In mid-January Arsenal were 7/1 (8.0) but they now sit at 8/15 (1.53) for a top four place after six wins in their last eight top-flight matches, including victories over direct competitors in Chelsea and Manchester United.

Unlike their North London rivals, Arsenal don't meet any team ranked above them before the end of the campaign. In fact, six of their remaining eight matches are against teams currently in 10th or lower in the Premier League. It's 6/4 (2.50) with bet365 that they end the season fifth or lower.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen quite the turnaround at Manchester United. From 14/1 (15.0) for a top four finish when Jose Mourinho was sacked, United are now 5/4 (2.25) in the same market.

That overhaul can't be underestimated, but a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal dented their hopes of a Champions League spot. A quarter-final clash against Barcelona is a tough assignment, however it may mean they're able to focus fully on the Premier League.

With their hopes of an FA Cup triumph extinguished by Wolves, Solksjaer's side may find themselves able to overhaul the two-point gap to fourth place, especially with the international break allowing further recovery time for their injury-hit squad.

United still have five games to play against current top half teams including clashes with Manchester City and Chelsea, although both are at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have plenty of top 10 opposition to come too. The Blues came up short against Everton, losing 2-0 at Goodison Park and have slipped to 2/1 (3.0) in bet365's top four market.

Maurizio Sarri's side are favourites for the Europa League, though. A favourable quarter-final draw means the Blues are now a shorter price (7/4) to win that competition than they are to finish in the Champions League spots.

While Tottenham are still in pole position, their recent dip in form, as well as a new home ground on the horizon, makes the 7/4 (2.75) about them missing the top four looks to be the best selection as the season enters the home straight.