By: Fasika Zelealem
We have reached Week 25 of the 2019/20 Premier League season and the top four race has continued its exhilarating ride.
After a run of four games without a win, Tottenham Hotspur got back to winning ways with a 2-1 home win over Norwich City.
Dele Alli opened the scoring in the first half which was Spurs’ first goal in three games.
Teemu Pukki’s penalty in the 70th minute equalized the scoring before Heung-Min Son’s goal 10 minutes later sealed the three points for the home side.
Spurs now find themselves just six points behind Chelsea in fourth and a realistic top-four challenge could be on the cards.
Sportsbooks have their updated odds of finishing in the top four opening at +333.
It’s the third draw in a row for Arsenal as they came back twice to settle things in a 2-2 draw for rivals Chelsea.
Arsenal was dealt an early blow as David Luiz was sent off after fouling Tammy Abraham in the box. Jorginho scored his second goal against Arsenal this season after he dispatched his penalty to open the scoring. Arsenal’s 18-year-old star Gabriel Martinelli had a 60-yard run before netting past Kepa Arrizabalaga to score his third league goal of the season.
It was déjà vu however as Chelsea scored yet another late goal against Arsenal with captain Cesar Azpilicueta putting the hosts in charge before Arsenal’s very own captain for the day, Hector Bellerin netted a left-footed strike in the 87th minute to earn a point for the away side.
Arsenal Odds to Finish in the Top Four of the EPL
Despite being down 10 men for almost 70 minutes of the game, Arsenal put in an inspired performance and it’s visible to see head coach Mikel Arteta’s vision on the pitch with his players.
Arsenal remains 10th in the table and are 10 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Sportsbooks has the odds of Arsenal finishing in the top four at a lowly +2500.
Chelsea failed to beat 10-man Arsenal as they drew 2-2 at home to fall to one win in their last four league games.
Despite being ahead twice during the game, Chelsea was unable to keep their lead and lost Tammy Abraham in the process as he suffered an ankle injury after sliding into an advertising board late in the match.
It’s another blow to Chelsea as they’ve lacked goals this season when Abraham was injured earlier this season and after letting Olivier Giroud leave the club this month, they are short on attacking options.
Head coach Frank Lampard was more optimistic about his squad’s ability to fill in Abraham’s absence.
“Yes, yes; and we have the players there to do that,” Lampard said.
“I hope he’s not [out for several weeks], but if he is then yes, we do have the players.”
Chelsea continue to possess the third-best odds to finish in the top four which open at –188
Manchester United Odds to Finish in the EPL’s Top Four
Manchester United suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time this season after their 2-0 home loss to Burnley on Wednesday night.
It’s also a second consecutive 2-0 loss after last week’s loss to Liverpool and the absence of Marcus Rashford is quite noticeable on the pitch.
United are now level on points with Tottenham and Wolves as their place in fifth is now under threat and if the expected signing of Bruno Fernandes does not materialize this month, Manchester United are in for a long and arduous second half of the season.
Sportsbooks’ odds on Manchester United to finish in the top four are open at +333.
Leicester City returned to winning ways this week but at what cost?
The Foxes thumped West Ham 4-1 at home however top scorer Jamie Vardy was replaced in the first half after he suffered an injury to his glute muscles. Midfielder Nampalys Mendy also suffered a knee injury in the same match as he replaced just after half an hour by Wilfred Ndidi, who just returned from his knee injury.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was optimistic about Vardy’s injury and was thankful it wasn’t his hamstring after initial fears.
Leicester are now three points behind Manchester City and the race for second is as competitive as ever but without Jamie Vardy, how far can Leicester City go?
Sportsbooks’ odds on Leicester City to finish in the top four open at –1000.
