Topic: The Top Six Mini-League Thread... Sponsored by TENA

[KurtVerbose]

On form I have Manu slightly ahead of Arsenal now.

[LFC when it suits]

We should be aiming for 2nd or 3rd as Mau Utd and Leicester (I know it's unlikely) still in Europe

[Suareznumber7]

Well well well. Starting to look tangibly realistic now.

I'll be more optimistic if we get the win as both Arsenal and utd have games in hand against us. 

[Eeyore]

I'll be more optimistic if we get the win as both Arsenal and utd have games in hand against us. 

Yep win our next two games and we will be in a great position. Don't even want to think about it going the other way.

[Fabulous_aurelio]

At least it's in our own hands...but then again that does nothing to settle the nerves!

[Alan_X]

I had us down as a 2-1 loss to City and didn't see the Arsenal result coming. I thought they'd fuck up but not there.

I think it's down to five clubs now. I can't see Arsenal making the top four. United are the real threat of the teams below us but they have a difficult run in plus Europe and two games in hand to fit in.

[Barneylfc∗]

Everton
Bournemouth
Palace
Southampton
Middlesbrough

Surely we'll pick up maximum points here. That's us on 71 if we do.

Stoke
West Brom
Watford
West Ham

Got to expect minimum of 3 there. That's us on 74 if we do.

United would need 22 points from 11, 2 PPG, to match us, then overturn a -6 goal difference on us. That's with fixtures against

Everton (H)
Chelsea (H)
Arsenal (A)
Spurs (A)
City (A)

They might get 6 out of that, but I can't see it. Then they would need 16 from their other 6 games. 5 wins and a draw for a team that couldn't beat a 10 man Bournemouth. And also have European games to throw in. 

Arsenal need 24 from their 11 games.

City (H)
Spurs (A)
United (H)

I think they'll get 4 out of that.

So they would need 20 points from their other 8 games. 2.5 PPG In that 8 games they have tough trips to Palace and Stoke to contend with.

[nayia2002]

It will need a complete fuck up by us again(see January/Feb) to not finish in top 4 after this weekend results.

Really confident finishing 3rd as man city, utd, arsenal all play each other

[killer-heels]

Apart from Chelsea i think Spurs are strong favourites to finish top four. They may have lost Kane but they have some decent fixtures and their defence will always give them a chance.

[BobPaisley3]

Everton
Bournemouth
Palace
Southampton
Middlesbrough

Surely we'll pick up maximum points here. That's us on 71 if we do.

Stoke
West Brom
Watford
West Ham

Got to expect minimum of 3 there. That's us on 74 if we do.

United would need 22 points from 11, 2 PPG, to match us, then overturn a -6 goal difference on us. That's with fixtures against

Everton (H)
Chelsea (H)
Arsenal (A)
Spurs (A)
City (A)

They might get 6 out of that, but I can't see it. Then they would need 16 from their other 6 games. 5 wins and a draw for a team that couldn't beat a 10 man Bournemouth. And also have European games to throw in. 

Arsenal need 24 from their 11 games.

City (H)
Spurs (A)
United (H)

I think they'll get 4 out of that.

So they would need 20 points from their other 8 games. 2.5 PPG In that 8 games they have tough trips to Palace and Stoke to contend with.

As I said in the other thread, its our away form that worries me. We'll need to pick up a handful of points on the road and it's going to be easier said than done. We've won 16 games this season, with six away. That's not disastrous on the face of it, but the last of those wins was three months ago. To make matters worse, three of the four matches are against teams who notoriously like a fight; Stoke, West Ham, WBA. We'll need two away wins or one and two draws to be absolutely sure, providing the home form holds up.

[Pistolero]

Pointless exercise trying to second guess the results of our remaining games, let alone Utd's or Spurs'.

Take one game at a time. As true today as its always been.

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

Everton
Bournemouth
Palace
Southampton
Middlesbrough

Surely we'll pick up maximum points here. That's us on 71 if we do.

Really?

the Ev and Palace are in very good form, not saying we won't beat them, but certainly not gimmes. Southampton and Bournemouth have already beaten us 3 times this season between them.

Seems inexplicably optimistic to say that we'll "surely" get maximum points from these fixtures.

[Barneylfc∗]

Really?

the Ev and Palace are in very good form, not saying we won't beat them, but certainly not gimmes. Southampton and Bournemouth have already beaten us 3 times this season between them.

Seems inexplicably optimistic to say that we'll "surely" get maximum points from these fixtures.

We'll be favourites for every game, and we should be winning each one of them. Of course it's possible that we won't, but it's hard to see which one will be the game we don't win.

[Suareznumber7]

Apart from Chelsea i think Spurs are strong favourites to finish top four. They may have lost Kane but they have some decent fixtures and their defence will always give them a chance.

I agree.  Chelsea and Spurs are locks as, I think, are City.  It'll be one of us, Utd, Arse for the final spot in top 4. 

[Suareznumber7]

Really?

the Ev and Palace are in very good form, not saying we won't beat them, but certainly not gimmes. Southampton and Bournemouth have already beaten us 3 times this season between them.

Seems inexplicably optimistic to say that we'll "surely" get maximum points from these fixtures.

Thankfully, Palace will be without their best defender when they play us. 

[sms1986]

I agree.  Chelsea and Spurs are locks as, I think, are City.  It'll be one of us, Utd, Arse for the final spot in top 4.

If it's down to us and those two, we're pretty much guaranteed top four.

[SerbianScouser]

Beat Everton and Bournemouth our next two games as we should because they suit us and Top 4 spot is ours to lose.

[Barneylfc∗]

Beat Everton and Bournemouth our next two games as we should because they suit us and Top 4 spot is ours to lose.

For sure. That'll be 2 less games that they can make points on us if we win them. It's all well and good having 1 or 2 games in hand. That doesn't mean you've got the points.

[SerbianScouser]

For sure. That'll be 2 less games that they can make points on us if we win them. It's all well and good having 1 or 2 games in hand. That doesn't mean you've got the points.

Utd and Arsenal are big teams we are most likely to finish above. We've only got Everton left while Utd has City and Arsenal away, Chelsea and Everton at home. Arsenal has Utd, City, Everton at home and Spurs away. We definitely have a good chance if we handle our business.

[Eeyore]

The worry is that the majority of our remaining games are against the middle third of the table and that is where our worst points total has come. We are 2.2 ppg against the top six, 1.92 ppg against the bottom third but only 1.82 against the middle third.

The only thing that has kept us in contact in the Top 4 race has been taking points of our rivals. We haven't got any more chances left so need to up our form against the middle third.

[sms1986]

The worry is that the majority of our remaining games are against the middle third of the table and that is where our worst points total has come. We are 2.2 ppg against the top six, 1.92 ppg against the bottom third but only 1.82 against the middle third.

The only thing that has kept us in contact in the Top 4 race has been taking points of our rivals. We haven't got any more chances left so need to up our form against the middle third.

I think beating Burnley would have had a positive mental effect on the team, so hopefully that is a good sign for the rest of the season.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I dont know how City are a lock, when they have matches against Chelsea,Arsenal, and United. Chelsea are a lock. Even 2nd spot is open, not as much as 3rd and 4th place but its there.

[jillcwhomever]

The worry is that the majority of our remaining games are against the middle third of the table and that is where our worst points total has come. We are 2.2 ppg against the top six, 1.92 ppg against the bottom third but only 1.82 against the middle third.

The only thing that has kept us in contact in the Top 4 race has been taking points of our rivals. We haven't got any more chances left so need to up our form against the middle third.

I don't entirely agree. We have beaten a lot of the smaller teams already. While its true we have problems against certain tactics used by some smaller teams, doesn't mean we cannot still find a way to win. I am quite optimistic about getting a top four placing, our rivals will be taking points of one another, so there is plenty to play for. We can and I am sure will up our form, the important thing is the players have something to play for.

[RedForeverTT]

Agree with some of the posters. There is no point guessing as there are too many variables. We should go for a win for every game and let the other teams worry about us.

Ideally, we have to be in the Top 3 just so we don't get bumped out by Leicester winning the CL (shudder).

[bailey90]

Utd and Arsenal are big teams we are most likely to finish above. We've only got Everton left while Utd has City and Arsenal away, Chelsea and Everton at home. Arsenal has Utd, City, Everton at home and Spurs away. We definitely have a good chance if we handle our business.

Utd have to go to Spurs as well.

[sms1986]

Ideally, we have to be in the Top 3 just so we don't get bumped out by Leicester winning the CL (shudder).

They won't win the Champions League, they've done well but there are too many big teams for them to get through. They play Atletico Madrid next, I would be surprised if they can get past them.

[DyingAtheist]

If I had to guess I think we'll get 4th with Arsenal and United just behind us. Obviously it's not totally in our control but United and Arsenal have a much tougher run in than we do and United still have the Europa to compete with.

[sms1986]

I think we'll get third - Chelsea, Spurs, us, City, Arsenal and United in that order. If Spurs collapse, we can get second/third.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

If it's down to us and those two, we're pretty much guaranteed top four.

not sure how anyone could be that confident. Our fixture list is terrible

[DyingAtheist]

I think we'll get third - Chelsea, Spurs, us, City, Arsenal and United in that order. If Spurs collapse, we can get second/third.

If we can get some decent form you could be right. Didn't realise City had such a tough run in - Southampton, Arsenal and Chelsea all away in their next 4 games? Ouch.

[sms1986]

not sure how anyone could be that confident. Our fixture list is terrible

Compare it to our rivals for top four and it's not that bad. We've shown that we can beat the smaller teams this season, I think the win against Burnley will have had a positive effect on our team.

[RedForeverTT]

They won't win the Champions League, they've done well but there are too many big teams for them to get through. They play Atletico Madrid next, I would be surprised if they can get past them.

Both teams play a similar smash and grab kind of game. Of course Atletico being more experienced but not sure if they had ever played against teams like Leicester that makes sucker punch their bread and butter.

If the fluke gods decide that Bayern and Real Madrid should go out, then Leicester has every chance to go even further than last 4.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Compare it to our rivals for top four and it's not that bad. We've shown that we can beat the smaller teams this season, I think the win against Burnley will have had a positive effect on our team.

The problem with the Burnley game was we were still pretty bad

I still think we'll do it though

[RedForeverTT]

If we can get some decent form you could be right. Didn't realise City had such a tough run in - Southampton, Arsenal and Chelsea all away in their next 4 games? Ouch.

Arsenal is a write off now with a manager about to leave and players downing tools. They started to gift every team 3 points around 2 weeks ago.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

The problem with the Burnley game was we were still pretty bad

I still think we'll do it though

You can't play well in all matches.


We should aim for 2nd, aim as high as possible right now, we got plenty to play for. No excuses.

[sms1986]

You can't play well in all matches.


We should aim for 2nd, aim as high as possible right now, we got plenty to play for. No excuses.

Mathematically, even first is still possible!

(yes, yes, I know bar a collapse that Chelsea will win the league).

[Pistolero]

Mathematically, even first is still possible!

fuck me Cheggers, even for you that's a stretch 

[sms1986]

fuck me Cheggers, even for you that's a stretch 

 

Being realistic, I think we'll get somewhere between second and fourth.

[SerbianScouser]

FWIW a lot of these lesser teams will be on the beach having secured their PL status when they play us. I remember last season games like Stoke, Watford, Wba were practically friendlies and it was evident they weren't as motivated as usual. There will be easy games there for all of us, Utd and Arsenal but we only have one game left within the Top 7 - Arsenal and Utd have 4 and 5 respectively.

[sms1986]

FWIW a lot of these lesser teams will be on the beach having secured their PL status when they play us. I remember last season games like Stoke, Watford, Wba were practically friendlies and it was evident they weren't as motivated as usual. There will be easy games there for all of us, Utd and Arsenal but we only have one game left within the Top 7 - Arsenal and Utd have 4 and 5 respectively.

Arsenal have the opposite problem to us in that they are poor against the big teams, whilst United won't beat the likes of Chelsea and City.