The race to finish in the top four of the Premier League is well and truly really heating up.
As we enter the last six weeks of the season, it’s all up in the air and anything could happen.
The margins are fine at this stage of the campaign and Chelsea, Tottenham, Leicester and Everton all dropped points as the pressure rises.
Champions League qualification is huge for any side with the extra finances allowing big signings in the summer and improving their pulling power in the transfer market.
Manchester United, Leicester, and West Ham are currently holding top four spots, along with runaway leaders Man City having all but tied up the title, but anything could happen in the run-in.
So who are the contenders, what do their fixtures look like, and how might it all pan out in the huge battle ahead? talkSPORT.com takes a look.
Manchester United
Games remaining = 8
League position = 2 (60 points)
Fixtures: Tottenham (A), Burnley (H), Leeds (A), Liverpool (H), Aston Villa (A), Leicester City (H), Fulham (H), Wolves (A).
With Manchester City all but uncatchable, the Red Devils are in pole position to finish as runners up.
The schedule ahead of them seems kind, although a loss to Spurs could potentially cause a wobble, but you would expect them to maintain enough form not to lose the nine-point lead they currently have on fifth-place Chelsea.
Of course, Europa League exertions and potential injuries to top stars will be a worry but surely Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get his stars over the line.
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Leicester City
Games remaining = 8
League position = 3 (56 points)
Fixtures: West Ham (A), West Brom (H), Crystal Palace (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), Man United (A), Chelsea (A), Tottenham (H).
Unlike Man United, the Foxes might have a few worries about their form going into the final eight matches with losses to Arsenal and City in recent weeks, along with a draw against Burnley.
Playing four of the top six, including three in their last three games, might be making manager Brendan Rodgers sweat too.
But, if Jamie Vardy is fit and ready to go, you would hope his formidable record against the best in the Premier League can get them to the chequered flag/
Memories of last season’s collapse, which saw them win just two of their last eight and miss out on the top four may weigh heavily though. It can’t happen again, can it?
West Ham
Games remaining = 8
League position = 4 (52 points)
Fixtures: Leicester City (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Burnley (A), Everton (H), Brighton (A), West Brom (A), Southampton (H).
West Ham fans were fearing the worst following news of Declan Rice’s injury but a 3-2 win over Wolves on Monday shows they’re capable of coping just fine without their star midfielder.
The defensive stability has taken a knock but with Jesse Lingard in outrageous form they are full of confidence.
Testing ties with Leicester, Chelsea, and Everton will make or break their chances.
But given their stunning campaign under David Moyes you wouldn’t put it past them completing a fairytale finish and making the top four.
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Chelsea
Games remaining = 8
League position = 5 (51 points)
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H), Man City (A), Arsenal (H), Leicester City (H), Aston Villa (A).
Thomas Tuchel’s impressive start to his tenure breathed life into the Blues this season.
Prior to their defeat by West Brom they hadn’t lost since mid-January when Leicester saw them off.
But with Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga clashing in training this week too, you wonder if the West Brom loss might be the start of a dip in form.
Champions League distractions are also around, along with tough remaining games against five top-four contenders.
It’s going to take a big effort – and maybe some long-overdue goals from Timo Werner!
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Tottenham
Games remaining = 8
League position = 6 (49 points)
Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Sheffield United (H), Leeds (A), Wolves (H), Aston Villa (H), Leicester (A).
Which Tottenham will turn up at each game? Nobody knows.
Jose Mourinho’s men missed a great chance to improve their chances of a top four finish against Newcastle and up next will be a hard clash with Man United.
Perhaps in their favour is that they now have no European games which will allow their manager to focus on his opponents and get the details he usually prides himself on right.
We all know Harry Kane will be doing all he can in the eight games ahead, but will his teammates lend him the hand he so dearly needs?
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Liverpool
Games remaining = 8
League position = 7 (49 points)
Fixtures: Aston Villa (H), Leeds (A), Newcastle (H), Manchester United (A), Southampton (H), West Brom (A), Burnley (A), Crystal Palace (H).
Liverpool will want to avenge their humiliating 7-2 loss to Villa earlier in the season and if are to break back into the Champions League spots, a win is vital.
A kind fixture list will allow them a defeat to rivals Man United but this season pride is at stake at Anfield.
Even taking into account their injury woes, their decline has been disappointing and Jurgen Klopp will want his charges to show they aren’t in need of a summer overhaul.
Given their home form in recent weeks, there is no time for complacency when Villa, Newcastle, Southampton, and Crystal Palace visit Merseyside.
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Everton
Games remaining = 9
League position = 8 (47 points)
Fixtures: Brighton (A), Tottenham (H), Arsenal (A), Aston Villa (H&A), West Ham (A), Sheffield United (H), Wolves (H), Man City (A).
With no wins in their last three matches, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti needs to turn their form around immediately.
The loss to Burnley and the draw with Crystal Palace are particularly concerning.
A game in hand against Villa, rivals for a top four spot, could be their joker but if Dominic Calvert-Lewin can recapture his early season form they may not need to rely on that.
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Aston Villa
Games remaining = 8
League position = 9 (44 points)
Fixtures: Liverpool (A), Man City (H), West Brom (H), Everton (H&A), Man United (H), Crystal Palace (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (H).
Aston Villa are the real outsiders right now given their tough schedule, which sees them face six of the top eight teams.
Those around them though know they have been good enough this season to cause some shocks.
Dean Smith’s side were the first to take a swing at Liverpool and find a glass jaw, so can they land a few more knockouts on the was to a stunning end to the campaign?
They’ll have to do without their star man Jack Grealish for much of the remaining campaign, with the midfielder not set to return until May.
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