Here’s how they shape up: 2nd: Spurs (Played 28 Points 59)
Following an unsteady start to the season, Tottenham clicked into gear in mid-December and have only dropped points against Manchester City, Liverpool and Sunderland in their last 13 games. Their run in-features only two meetings with other members of the top six and both are at home: against north London rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, in what stands to be the last game played at White Hart Lane. But manager Mauricio Pochettino will hope 19-goal top scorer Harry Kane recovers from his ankle injury quickly. Run-in: Burnley (away), Swansea City (a), Watford (home), Bournemouth (h), Leicester City (a), Crystal Palace (a), Arsenal (h), West Ham United (a), Manchester United (h), Hull City (a) 3rd: Man City (P28 Pts 57)
City’s seven-game unbeaten run in the league faces successive tests in London over the next week as Pep Guardiola takes his erratically performing team to Arsenal and Chelsea. City have tightened up at the back, conceding only two goals in their last six games. But they are now having problems at the other end, as demonstrated in the recent 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City and 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Run-in: Arsenal (a), Chelsea (a), Hull City (h), Southampton (a), West Bromwich Albion (h), Manchester United (h), Middlesbrough (a), Crystal Palace (h), Leicester City (h), Watford (a) 4th: Liverpool (P29 Pts 56)
Liverpool have the kindest runin of any team in the top six, but that may not necessarily be a good thing. They have thrived against their main rivals, avoiding defeat in the 10 head-to-heads against the other teams in the top six. But they have struggled to break down sides near the bottom, losing to Burnley, Bournemouth, Swansea City, Hull City and Leicester City. But next up they face Everton, who have Champions League ambitions of their own after moving level on points with Arsenal, albeit having played two games more. Run-in: Everton (h), Bournemouth (h), Stoke City (a), West Bromwich Albion (a), Crystal Palace (h), Watford (a), Southampton (h), West Ham United (a), Middlesbrough (h) 5th: Man United (P27 Pts 52)
United manager Jose Mourinho has complained long and loud about his club’s packed fixture schedule and there is no let-up in sight. Unbeaten in 18 league outings, United must squeeze in 11 league games, plus a two-legged Europa League quarterfinal against Anderlecht, and injuries are starting to bite. Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are currently sidelined, while top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera are suspended. Run-in: West Bromwich Albion (h), Everton (h), Sunderland (a), Chelsea (h), Burnley (a), Manchester City (a), Swansea City (h), Arsenal (a), Tottenham Hotspur (a), Crystal Palace (h)