Arsenal
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Everton
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Leeds United
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Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
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Declan Rice has told Sky Sports that he believes West Ham United are certainly in the running for Champions League qualification, but is aware that Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are improving of late.
The Hammers further strengthened their claim for top-four qualification this season, with a 2-0 win over Leeds on Monday night at the London Stadium. They sit in fifth, but if they win their game in hand, they would leapfrog Chelsea.
But the West Londoners, the side that have been strongly linked with England star Rice, have massively improved under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel. He is yet to lose in his 11 games in charge, winning eight and drawing three of those.
Tottenham, meanwhile, sit in seventh, a point behind sixth-placed Everton and three behind the Hammers. But Spurs have won four on the bounce and Gareth Bale is back firing, with six goals in six games. Rice responded when asked about the top four.
“It’s hard to say we’re going to be Champions League, there’s so many games left,” Rice said, when asked by MNF presenter Dave Jones. “Chelsea have hit a fantastic bit of form, and made a load of points.
TBR’s view – Who finishes in the top four, and in fifth and sixth?
Manchester City look destined to win the Premier League and Manchester United look strong candidates to finish in second. Leicester have numerous injuries but remain in third, while Chelsea are improving and sit in fourth place.
The Foxes could drop out given their injuries, and history dictates that they might be fearful of that. Tottenham are on fire, with Bale back in form. Everton are inconsistent and Chelsea’s win on Monday is proof of that. West Ham are not going away.
Right now, on form, you would have to say that Leicester could drop out, and it will be a fight between West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea for the two remaining Champions League spots. Plenty of football left to be played.
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