The battle for the top four is now as jittery as the fight to avoid the drop

WITH Liverpool just a point behind Manchester United and three off Newcastle – and Brighton lurking with games in hand – can the two Uniteds be caught in the race for top four? JOHN CROSS

THE top- four battle is becoming every bit as nervy as the scrap to avoid relegation.

I’m convinced Newcastle will make it because of the atmosphere and power at St James’ Park. Their fixtures are far from easy – they’ve got Brighton to come, but should beat Leicester and win at Leeds.

But Manchester United will be looking over their shoulders because Liverpool are getting results just at a time when Erik ten Hag ( below) and his men have suffered a dip in form,

Logic tells you that Uni ted should do it as three of their four games are at Old Trafford and are against Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham.

But the nerves are there and now we’ll see United’s strength of character because you wouldn’t back against Liverpool to carry on winning.

I love watching Brighton. They’re a great story and can still cause a big threat because of their games in hand. But they’ve still got Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle to come. I think they’ll end up in the Europa League but what an achievement that is.

ANDY DUNN

FOR all the Premier League’s self-promotion and commercial riches, it is a damning indictment of the standards below Manchester City and Arsenal that Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League.

As we all saw in their defeat at West Ham (above left) – and in countless others – they really are not THAT good.

But the lame efforts of the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham mean United, along with Newcastle, will finish in the top four.

Ten Hag’s side play four teams who have nothing to play for while Eddie Howe’s men should take care of business in the home matches against Brighton and Leicester.

While their football is still not at its fluent best, Liverpool are likely to win their remaining three games and keep the third and fourth placed teams honest.

But Newcastle will hold on to third spot and Manchester United will finish fourth.

NEIL MOXLEY

IT’S going to the wire. Liverpool have flown into the mix from absolutely nowhere after winning six on the spin.

Jurgen Klopp (below) and his Reds have three games to go – two against relegationthreatened Leice st e r and Southampton and another at Fortress Anfield against Villa – you have to believe they’ll reach 71 points.

That means as long as the goal difference remains healthy that Newcastle have to win two and Manchester Utd three.

Taking the Toon first, despite their blip you’d expect them to land two victories out of their remaining four.

And Manchester United have three games at Old Trafford, all against beatable opposition. You’d have to say that the two in possession of those remaining spots are in the box seats.

But the fight is likely to go to the final day.

SIMON BIRD

NEWCASTLE was once a city of footballing over-reactions. A defeat like that against Arsenal could spark knee-jerk pessimism and gloom.

That’s changed during the last brilliant 15 months of winning, striving, improving and now challenging for the top four.

Newcastle were left bruised by the Gunners’ deserved 2-0 win at St James’ Park (above right). But this was not a Toon side crumbling, looking shaky or bottling it.

Far from it, Arsenal had to endure a storm of relentless attacks, chances missed, a heroic save by Aaron Ramsdale (inset above) and Granit Xhaka block, two hit posts, and a VAR penalty call to win. Newcastle lost, but were far from bad.

They need seven points to stay in the top four if Liverpool win their last three games. Leeds away then Brighton and Leicester at home should be enough of an opportunity.

Warding off any jitters ahead after only their second defeat in 10 games ( including eight wins), Eddie Howe ( far left) said: “There is no time for negativity to creep into my, or the player’s, psychology.

“I don’t doubt our quality and character. There is no time to lose control emotionally. This can be a memorable season. Four games to go. It is in our hands.

“Offer us this position at the start of the season and we’d take it.”

They will do it.

NEIL McLEMAN

THE final two Champ ions League places are still for Newcastle and Manchester United to lose – and they won’t. Points in the bank become more important as a long season draws to an end.

In- form Liverpool will draw at Leicester and win their last two games to finish on 69 points – a fine lateseason recovery but not quite enough. Tottenham had 71 points when they finished fourth last year (though the magic number was 67 and 66 the previous two years).

Robert De Zerbi ( below) and Brighton are the wildcards but will probably need to win five out of six games in the final three weeks of a gruelling campaign with three of the fixtures against Arsenal, Newcastle and City.

The Toon also have a tough run-in but have a three- point cushion and four games to get five points – or seven points to be mathematically certain. Elland Road promises to be a febri le atmosphere on Saturday before home games with Brighton and Leicester and a final- day visit to Chelsea. Two wins should do.

Liverpool’s superior goal difference over Manchester United – thanks to the 7-0 mauling at Anfield – means the Old Trafford club would have to get to 70.

Ten Hag’s team are running on empty but now have a week off and have three of their last four fixtures against teams in the bottom half who have secured safety – Wolves, Bournemouth and Fulham – plus Chelsea. Three wins and they are back in Europe’s top club competition.