So, who's going to get it this year? 

 

As it currently stands there's three, maybe four, teams in contention for the coveted Champion's League spot we keep open due to our continued efforts in Europe that keep the Premier League's co-efficient up. Arsenal, Tottenham, Southampton, and West Ham.

 

Arsenal

Haven't we been here before? Like... Nine times or some sh*t? Arsenal always look a dead-cert for the Fourth Place Trophy, content with mediocrity, however they look like they're in serious trouble this time around. They barely made it last season due to a spirited effort by Everton and they have even more problems this year. On top of an absolutely absurd number of injuries they have almost all of their difficult games against the big fish of the league away. They have to go to the Etihad, Old Trafford and White Hart Lane while hosting Liverpool and ourselves at the Emirates. We all remember how abysmal Arsenal's away record against the big fish is and given how much United and City have strengthened they could be on the receiving end of some severe beatings. The fan mutiny within Arsenal is getting bigger and bigger leaving Wenger in a precarious position. Wenger needs to sign some huge players in January if they are to make the top four in my opinion, we're talking two quality defenders, a defensive midfielder, and a new goalkeeper. Now, how many of those positions currently have world class vacancies on the market? Not many. I genuinely think that this is the year Arsenal fail to make the Champion's League and in the process begin a downward spiral as their business model collapses and as they flounder around with a new manager because lets face it, failure to make the top four spells the end for Wenger.

Prediction: 6th

 

Tottenham
This lot seem to have come out of nowhere, probably because of their poor start to the season under Pochettino; whom I seriously admire as a manager. They also have some of their harder away games out of the way, most notably against Manchester City, Arsenal... and us. The question is whether Tottenham have enough gas in the tank, namely squad depth and quality, to see out this race. I'm not sure how this will pan out but I suspect they'll at least finish above Arsenal, further compounding Gunner woes.

Prediction: 5th

 

Southampton

My personal preference to make the top four and return to top-flight European football after so long. I respect Ronald Koeman as a manager and as a character, the latter because most other managers especially Jose genuinely seem to like him. Southampton have recovered from what should have logically been haymakers in recent months with their club being on the verge of administration due to a back-room bust-up and from having what we thought were their best players being pinched by Manchester United and Liverpool. However, Koeman has spent the money he got for Lovren, Lallana, Lambert and Shaw VERY well and has gotten some good quality, but not necessarily world class, players in their stead. Unfortunately however, Southampton face some very tough fixtures in the second half of the season to reach the promised land of Europe. The only teams that they host at Saint Mary's is Liverpool and Tottenham and they're travelling to Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, and the Etihad. The interesting thing to note is that game at the Etihad is on the final day of the season, a tie that could prove absolutely crucial in their quest for the Champion's League. It may well be done and dusted by that point but this race might go right down to the wire. Their victory over Arsenal the other day may as well have been a six-pointer as Arsenal are seen to be by many as their toughest competition for the fourth place. That result may have done far more damage to Arsenal than it already seems. If they make the top four, which I really hope they do, then they freaking deserve it.

Predicition: 4th

 

West Ham

Another dark horse, albeit one that has lost its lustre. Big Sam deserves plaudits for turning his fortunes around but if a side cannot defeat Arsenal then I cannot see them finishing above them. There's simply not enough gas in the tank to push the West Ham machine forward.

Prediction: 7th.

 

--------------------------------

End of Season Table Predictions (Top Flight)

 

Chelsea

Manchester City

Manchester United

Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal

West Ham

----------------------------

 

How do you think this will pan out going by the results and events of the first half of the season as well as the upcoming fixtures for the teams involved?

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by Izanagi

Arsenal.. always Arsenal.

Think they have the strongest squad eventually.

Arsenal.. always Arsenal.

Think they have the strongest squad eventually.

If I remember correctly Arsenal were top of the league this time last year.

 

They're not even in the top four at the moment.

 

They're in trouble.

It will be Arsenal I feel but you have to think one year its not gonna be them.

Southampton will miss out I reckon.

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

I hope Man Utd miss out.

Don't kid yourselves, Arsenal make it every year, Spurs bottle it every year, it's obvious it's going to be United and Arsenal.

I really want Spurs to get 4th place now. The way some of my deluded Gooner mates were trying to take the piss just because we let in 5, even though they also lost and are behind Tottenham was so pathetic.

I really want Spurs to get 4th place now. The way some of my deluded Gooner mates were trying to take the piss just because we let in 5, even though they also lost and are behind Tottenham was so pathetic.

Only thing I would ever wish for Spurs is squad wide syphillis. This is Spurs we are talking about. We are Chelsea. Surely there are some traditions left in football which are sacred. Christ we will be hoping QPR stay up next and saying how good it is to see West Ham punching above their weight. Give me Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd or just about anyone else in fourth before Tottenham.

I think Arsenal will get 4th, Spurs 5th and Southampton 6th.

 

Would love for Southampton to get 4th though.

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by RichardCFC

It's got to be Arsenal; fourth place is there raison d'etre (that's yer actual French).

I think you're getting this wrong fellas.

You can see within Arsenal's team in a minute that they re just scraping by with late goals and just about holding on. (QPR, West Ham) They were extremely lucky to get something out of Liverpool where they were dire and Alexis albeit still playing well, isn't playing as well as he did mid October/November.

Tottenham have a system which there players seem to react very well with, worth noting they have only lost one game in fourteen where Fazio and Vertonghen have started at CB. Kane is a fantastic player and they have kept the mercenaries on the bench.

Southampton are a workmanlike team however their depth is not good at all which may see them fall short.

Liverpool's only chance is signing a new striker along with having Sturridge back and firing on all cylinders. However I don't see that being likely.

I think it's between Tottenham and Southampton.

Trouble is every year for the last five years I've predicted Arsenal to miss out. Now I just assume they will get their act together towards the end of the season and scrape fourth.

It's got to be Arsenal; fourth place is there raison d'etre (that's yer actual French).

Have faith Spud, Tottenham did something yesterday that Wenger has never managed against Mourinho.

I think you're getting this wrong fellas.

You can see within Arsenal's team in a minute that they re just scraping by with late goals and just about holding on. (QPR, West Ham) They were extremely lucky to get something out of Liverpool where they were dire and Alexis albeit still playing well, isn't playing as well as he did mid October/November.

Tottenham have a system which there players seem to react very well with, worth noting they have only lost one game in fourteen where Fazio and Vertonghen have started at CB. Kane is a fantastic player and they have kept the mercenaries on the bench.

Southampton are a workmanlike team however their depth is not good at all which may see them fall short.

Liverpool's only chance is signing a new striker along with having Sturridge back and firing on all cylinders. However I don't see that being likely.

I think it's between Tottenham and Southampton.

But right ther shows why Arsenal have it in them to get fourth they're scraping results. Winning when you aren't playing well is a good habit to get into.

Personally I think it will be Arsenal again, don't see Spurs or Southampton hanging in there at all.

Arsenal will get knocked out of the cup today.

 

Put money on it. 

Arsenal will get knocked out of the cup today.

Put money on it.

Would love it

Arsenal will get knocked out of the cup today.

Put money on it.

Are you destitute now, Joey?

I really want Spurs to get 4th place now. The way some of my deluded Gooner mates were trying to take the piss just because we let in 5, even though they also lost and are behind Tottenham was so pathetic.

 

I don't believe my eyes!  A Chelsea fan, on a Chelsea forum, wishing anything but bad things on the Spuds?  How the f**k do you sleep at night?

I don't believe my eyes!  A Chelsea fan, on a Chelsea forum, wishing anything but bad things on the Spuds?  How the f**k do you sleep at night?

 

Dreamy Sleepy Nightie Snoozy Snooze.

Out of those four teams there is a pretty obvious choice for fourth from a Chelsea fan's perspective. Wouldn't be surprised to see Arsenal make it though, they almost certainly have the best first XI out of the four, I just wonder whether they will still be victim to their very obvious squad imbalances after January. Then again I can definitely see a funny side to a Chambers-Coquelin midfield and Monreal at centre back...

Arsenal will get there. That's what Wenger has always delivered despite the lack of silverware, last year apart.

I hate Arsenal even more than Spurs tbh. Don't care about them liklywhites who are just a midtable club. It's Arsenal who are our rivals for the kings of London

Brilliant victory by Southampton yesterday! They'll certainly be competing for a top 4 spot so definitely don't write them off yet!

Arsenal to take fourth... but Everton to win Europa League! 

My word Harry Kane is some future superstar, immense today,