Tuesday 26 February 2013

Champions League race: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Everton's ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Run-in West Brom (h), Fulham (a), West Ham (h), Southampton (a), Sunderland (h), Tottenham (h), Liverpool (a), Swansea (h), Man Utd (a), Aston Villa (a), Everton (h).

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Tottenham Hotspur

Form Only one defeat in last 14 games and that came in the FA Cup at Leeds so confidence is not a problem. Have been consistent all season.

Strength Can adapt style of play depending on manager Andre Villas-Boas's tactical tinkering and in Gareth Bale they have an outstanding individual match winner who can turn tight games in their favour.

Weakness Have an extremely tough run, playing four of the top six, and including tricky trips to Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as north London derby against Arsenal. An injury to Bale would severely weaken them.

Verdict Tottenham Hotspur could well miss out again after the misfortune of finishing fourth last season only for Chelsea to win the Champions League and snatch their place.

Run-in Arsenal (h), Liverpool (a), Fulham (h), Swansea (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (a), Man City (h), Southampton (h), Stoke (a), Sunderland (h).

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Arsenal

Form Despite bad cup defeats to Blackburn and Bayern Munich, have lost only twice in the league this year and have steadily closed gap on top four.

Strength Arsène Wenger has yet another point to prove as criticism grows and most of the players have been in this situation before. Remain a class act on their day and have creativity to cut teams apart.

Weakness Under more pressure than ever to finish in the top four and defence is fragile and prone to errors. Do not have a reliable goalscorer.

Verdict Next two games will be pivotal against Spurs and Everton, but relatively easy run in on paper gives them a big advantage and fourth place is very much within their reach.

Run-in Tottenham (a), Everton (h), Swansea (a), Reading (h), West Brom (a), Norwich (h), Man Utd (home), QPR (a), Wigan (h), Newcastle (a).

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Everton

Form Only two league wins this year and have wobbled in recent weeks. Also have FA Cup to consider.

Strength Traditionally strong finishers and players also know a top-four finish is also likely to ensure David Moyes does not seek a new challenge in the summer. Hungry and capable of beating anyone if they click.

Weakness Are not playing nearly as well as they did over the first half of the season and attacking players are out of form. Tough run in, most notably the visits to Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Verdict Already six points adrift of the top four they are the big outsiders in the race and it is difficult to see them making up ground with so many awkward fixtures.

Run-in Reading (a), Arsenal (a), Man City (h), Stoke (h), Tottenham (a), QPR (h), Sunderland (a), Fulham (h), Liverpool (a), West Ham (h), Chelsea (a).

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