Everton face test of top four hopes
Arsenal battle looms
LONDON, April 15, (RTRS): Everton can take a huge step towards an unlikely topfour finish and Champions League soccer next season if they can maintain their recent run of great form by winning at Arsenal for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday.
To do that, they will have to overcome opponents who have risen to third in the table on the back of a superb run of results just as the race for Champions League qualification enters the finishing straight.
With Manchester United and Manchester City set to finish first and second, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been jostling for the remaining two Champions League spots for the last three months.
Yet victory at Arsenal will make Everton serious contenders too.
United, who need just seven points from their last six matches to win the title lead the pack with 80 points from 32 games, 15 points clear of City who have 65 from 31.
Arsenal have 59 points from 32, followed by Chelsea on 58 from 31, Spurs on 58 from 32 and Everton 55 from 32.
Tuesday’s match at Emirates Stadium is one of four important midweek Premier League games before a full programme next weekend.
Runaway leaders Manchester United play at West Ham United on Wednesday, fourth-placed Chelsea play at neighbours Fulham and Manchester City host relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic in an FA Cup final rehearsal.
Arsenal, who are chasing a 16th successive Champions League berth next season, have recovered superbly since they were beaten 2-1 at arch-rivals Spurs on March 3.
They have won all four league games since then, including Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Norwich City when all three goals came in the last six minutes.