As recently as December, Chelsea were being mentioned as title challengers. Manager Enzo Maresca was quick to dismiss such talk before a post-Christmas slump that led to them dropping out of the Champions League spots. Back-to-back league wins suggest they might be finding form again at just the right time, though.
Key fixtures: If Chelsea are to make the top five, they will really have earned it given their remaining fixtures. They travel to Arsenal on Sunday, then host rivals Tottenham before tricky games at Brentford and Fulham in April.
In May they face Liverpool and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, either side of a trip to Newcastle, before that potentially crucial trip to Nottingham Forest on the last day.
Phil McNulty’s prediction: Fifth
Touted as title contenders at one point, there has been a drop off in form but Maresca still has lots of quality at his disposal. Cole Palmer is the shining symbol of that.
Maresca’s studied passing style of football has yet to fully win over Stamford Bridge and the fixture list is tough, but they should have enough to claim the fifth place which may secure Champions League football next season.
Opta’s prediction: 54.5% chance of a top-five finish
Fan views
John: We’ll qualify for Champions League because key players – including Nico Jackson – will come back from injury, Cole Palmer will find his form, and Enzo Maresca will loosen his system a bit and let these guys play the way they want to play.
Fahey: Our remaining 10 fixtures should result in 19-21 points, making 68-70 points overall. I think 65 will be enough to get fifth place.
Matthew: Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League not on merit but because everyone else’s form is also sketchy and others’ inability to get results over the line will get us top five by default.
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