I'll start with Manchester City, they've not had a bad season really, they didn't spend masses in the summer, but of course they look set to fail in their bid to retain the Premier League, and have a trophy less season, which from the chairman and supporters mindset would be a bad Campaign. However they face an okay looking run in, they play 4 out of the 9 games against opposition in the bottom half of the table, and realistically they should get top 4, baring a terrible run in and losing over half the games, I cant see them not Qualifying for the Champions League and I think they will push Chelsea right the very way to the end in the fight for the title. Of course they are still in the Champions league, and still have a chance of winning it, but a very bleak chance at that. I cannot see them overturning Barcelona at the Nou camp, and a rather in form Barcelona at that. Manchester City will finish in a comfortable second place
Prediction:2nd
Arsenal are a side who consistently seem to be qualifying for the Champions League year in year out, and even when the team has had dire seasons, they still manage to just get themselves into the top 4. Credit here should definalty go to the Arsenal manager; Arsene Wenger, who has managed to get Arsenal into the top 4 18 years on the bounce, a true achievement, and especially in this modern day game, where the Premier League is harder and more competitive than ever before. However Arsenal's run in seems a fairly decent in terms of potential wins, with Chelsea and Man United providing the real tests. With the extra weight if Champions League fixtures off their back they can now focus solely on getting into the top 4 and maybe pushing 2nd place Manchester City. Even with these factors going for Arsenal I think they will finish 4th. I can see Man United extracting revenge at Old Trafford, after the F.A cup clash last Monday. Also Arsenal have a terrible record vs Chelsea and I expect arsenal will slip up, especially with the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a phenomenally gifted footballer. If Arsenal manage to retain their F.A cup, which I feel they indeed will, Arsenal fans should then feel content with a 4th place finish moving forward to next season.
Prediction:4th
Manchester United without a doubt have the hardest run in out of all the top 4 challengers. 4 of there last 9 games coming against sides currently in the top 5 of the Premier league. But after a resounding victory against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday, and the formation and selection chosen by Van Gaal, things may just be starting to click on the red side of Manchester, and just at the right time. Carrick and Mata for me are crucial players for United, and players whom they need fit for the run in. The key will be Liverpool away on Sunday, the minimum United can get is a draw, and a draw would be a positive result, nevertheless I believe United will win at Anfeild inspite of Liverpool's recent impressive form. United won 3-0 against Liverpool back in December and will take this confidence to them in the reverse fixture on Sunday. Overall i think United will have a very good run in, Van Gaal and United always have good and strong run ins and I think 3rd place will be Man United's this year. However the goal for next year for United must be to challenge for the title and not to turn into a side who only pushes for the top 4 every season.
Prediction:3rd
Liverpool have very much been an up and down side this year overall, however they do find themselves within touching distance of the Champions league places, and for this reason cannot be discounted for a place. Recent form has seen them become the most in form Premier League side of 2015, and I think they will push Manchester United and Arsenal hard for 3rd and 4th place. The key for Liverpool in the final 9 games is firstly gaining a positive result in the tenacious super Sunday game vs Manchester United at the weekend, it's a real six-pointer and the draw is the minimum result they can achieve to keep the confidence and ability to push for a top 4 place. They have a tough run in, like Manchester United and Arsenal. They need to keep key players like Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Phillipe Countinho fit if they are going to be there of there abouts come May. I however do see Liverpool falling just short and finishing in 5th place, a tough run in and lack of real striking power up front will be the main reason, relying on Sturridge who is not yet fully fit, won't drag them into the top 4.
Prediction:5th
Southampton, what a season the southerners have had this year, defying all expectations and very much denting the predictability of the top 4 throughout the season. What makes their season so special is the fact that they lost so many key players, and seemed to improve still and take some impressive scalps from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. Injuries to key players have however slowed down the steam train that erupted into the top 4 for so long during the first half of the season, and too many draws have let them down collectively towards the end. I think they will achieve a 7th placed finish at the end of the road, and credit should be passed to Ronald Koeman for this great achievement, he has managed them impeccably this season, and can really see them kicking on in the next 2015/16 campaign.
Prediction:7th
Spurs fans very much have the right to be rather disappointed with their season. The league form has been reminiscent of a rollercoaster ride, and a truly dull performance in the capital one cup final rather summed up there season, not to mention the shambolic Europa League Campaign. The quality is there for everyone to see, the emergence of Harry Kane, and the artistry of Christian Eriksen, glimpses of brilliant individual performances have sometimes carried Spurs this season. As a team I think they are a very average side, and a lot of players do not pull their weight on a constant basis, and simply have not performed this season when needed. Potchettino is in my opinion the right man for the job, he needs to sell plenty of dead wood from within the club, and retain players like; Harry Kane, Vlad Chiriches, Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris for Spurs to be able to really build a top quality team and to mount a more serious challenge for the top 4 next season. I think it will be extremely close between Spurs and Southampton as to who finishes 6th and 7th respectively, but I feel Spurs have the better run in and will therefore just edge Southampton to 6th.
Prediction:6th
Ryan Crow (C)
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