Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League appear to be dead and buried, but there is still a slim chance it can happen, but they’ll need a number of results to go their way.
As things stand, Spurs are currently fifth in the Premier League, and sit seven points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand on Unai Emery’s side.
Unfortunately, that game in hand is against Manchester City, who are on yet another relentless march towards the league title.
On either side of that clash, Ange Postecoglou‘s side take on relegation-threatened Burnley, and the already-relegated Sheffield United.
Villa, meanwhile, have fixtures against Liverpool and a resurgent Crystal Palace side to come.
How could Spurs finish fourth?
So, here’s what needs to happen for Spurs to slip into that coveted fourth place and secure Champions League football for next season.
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This weekend, Tottenham simply have to beat Burnley, and hopefully by a few goals, too, as they currently trail Villa’s goal difference by nine goals.
Villa face Liverpool on Monday, and know that a win there would guarantee them fourth place. However, if Villa were to lose, Spurs would close the gap to four points, and would reduce the goal difference arrears, too.
Then, Spurs face Manchester City on Tuesday night. A win against the champions would be ideal — apart from potentially handing Arsenal the title — but a draw would possibly be sufficient.
Let’s say Tottenham do only get a point from that game, and we go into the final weekend three points behind Villa with some goals to make up.
If Villa were to lose to Crystal Palace, who have been on fire since Oliver Glasner took over, and Spurs beat bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United by a big scoreline, they would end up level on points with Villa and could achieve a big enough goal swing to sneak into the top four.
Spurs Web Opinion
Aside from the fact that I can’t see that sequence of events actually happening, I almost don’t want it to. I know a lot has been said about the idea of us wanting City to win the game on Tuesday, but I genuinely would much rather us finish fifth and Arsenal lose the title.
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