Chelsea’s tricky run-in could see them miss out on the top four as bookies lose confidence in Blues
- Paul Okey
- 4 April 2022
Gap to Arsenal could soon be reduced to two and Tottenham will have renewed hope of catching Chelsea following Brentford horror show.
Chelsea's shambolic defensive performance at home to Brentford on Saturday may have far-reaching consequences when it comes to the Champions League.
If Arsenal beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night they will be just two points behind the third-placed Blues having played the same number of games.
It also opens the door for Tottenham who despite being five points adrift of Thomas Tuchel's side having played a game more will be buoyed by the Blues' tricky run-n.
Chelsea have to play Arsenal, West Ham, Wolves and Manchester United, who all have their eyes on European qualification in one form or another and Watford and Everton who are both in the midst of fights for survival.
Throw in an FA Cup semi-final and the Champions League and it promises to be a pretty intense finale to a season in which the Blues topped the table as recently as December.
The bookies still believe it will be Chelsea and Arsenal who join Liverpool and Manchester City in the top four come the season end, with the Blues 1/20 with Planet Sport Bet to secure a Champions League spot.
However, it represents a severe weakening of their position, with the west London side having touched 1/1000 earlier in the season.
The Gunners are 8/15, with Tottenham, on the back of a 5-1 drubbing of Newcastle into 6/4.
Antonio Conte's side have won four of their last five games, scoring 16 goals in the process and Liverpool apart, having a pretty favourable run-in. However, despite their impressive run of form, it has to be remembered that this is also a Spurs side that lost 1-0 to Burnley in February.
Meanwhile, at the top of the table Manchester City retain favouritism. City briefly gave up top spot on Saturday after Liverpool beat Watford 2-0 in the early kick-off. However, they reacted to the pressure well by seeing off Burnley by the same scoreline and remain 4/9 to retain their title.
Liverpool are 6/4 ahead of what could be a title decider at the Etihad on Sunday.
