The race to get into the Champions League is one of the most hotly-contested parts of the Premier League season.
Getting into the top four guarantees extra revenue but crucially ensures the highest standard of European football for the following season and allows clubs to attract the highest calibre of player possible.
With the title race often left to one or two teams to battle out, the race for the top four is usually far more open, and here 101 Great Goals looks at the latest odds for 2021/22 from the Premier League, and which teams are favourites to get that last spot.
Arsenal lose top 4 grip
Yet another defeat, their third successive loss, leaves them three points behind Tottenham, although they do have a game in hand on their north London rivals.
A 1-0 defeat away to Southampton follows previous losses to Brighton and Crystal Palace have left them staring down the barrel of another season without Champions league football.
And worse still, they have tough games ahead. Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham all lie in wait before the end of the season, meaning that the Gunners need to bounce back, and fast.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli reacts after his goal was disallowed during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (Photo by Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the absences of both Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey, potentially out for the remainder of the season, have hit the north London side hard.
And this combination of factors have seen Arsenal slip out of favourites spot for the top 4, according to the bookies.
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Tottenham slip up to hand Red Devils a lifeline
After a run of good form, Tottenham’s top 4 charge hit a brick wall in the shape of Brighton and Hove Albion, as the lilywhites could not muster a shot on target in north London against Graham Potter’s side.
Despite this setback, Tottenham remain the odds on favourites for the final Champions League spot, now 1/2 on to do so, as per Bet365
Manchester United, meanwhile, have been handed a major lifeline as a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick papered over some seismic cracks against Norwich and take three points as their rivals faltered. With Liverpool and Arsenal in their next two games, it is crunch time for the Red Devils.
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Out of the running
Five points behind Tottenham having played a game more, David Moyes’ side seemingly need a miracle to finish fourth, and as a result are priced at 80/1. Their most recent case of dropped points, held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley, may have finally ended their chances for good.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: manager David Moyes of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 4, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Another side now seemingly out of it are Wolves, 8 points behind Tottenham. For Bruno Lage and his side, it seems that the ship has sailed this season, with the bookies offering odds of a massive 500/1 for a fourth-placed finish.
For more betting tips and previews, visit our Premier League betting page or our football betting tips page.
Latest Premier League top four odds
This article was edited by
Ben Browning.
