This week, Tottenham Hotspur was given a gift when Arsenal dropped points following their loss to Crystal Palace. As a result, it allowed its north London rivals to hold onto their fourth-place spot. Both teams are tied with 54 points, but Spurs hold the tiebreaker.
When it comes to this new twist in the race for the top four, many English football pundits give their thoughts on who will win the race. In his Sky Sports column, Arsenal great Paul Merson has declared Tottenham Hotspur favorites in the battle for the fourth Champions League spot.
“There are ways of getting beat, and Monday night at Palace wasn’t a good way of getting beat. It was worrying. I expected one of those performances from Tottenham before the end of the season; I didn’t expect it from Arsenal,” Merson wrote.
“Spurs are the favorites for top four now. When Harry Kane’s playing like he is, I don’t think too many teams are going to beat them. But you take Kane out of the team; top four ain’t happening for Spurs. It’s as simple as that. When he doesn’t turn up at Burnley away, they get beaten. Tottenham are a one-man team, and that’s not being disrespectful.”
Arsenal will be facing off against Brighton & Hove Albion FC this weekend; meanwhile, Tottenham will face against Aston Villa. Both teams are getting opponents below them in the table, so they’re the favorites.
However, as both clubs have learned, that doesn’t mean anything considering both teams suffered losses to teams that they were favored to beat. Whichever side can avoid this could end up claiming that fourth-place finish.
