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Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, West Ham - top-four race analysed

Sergio Aguero in action for Manchester City

There were twists and turns in the top-four race this weekend, as Manchester United and Manchester City dropped points to Leicester and Southampton respectively.

United were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, while City slumped to a 4-2 defeat against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.

Those results came after Arsenal had moved up to third with a 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday, while there was also a 3-0 victory for West Ham against West Brom

Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Swansea all but ended their hopes of a top-four finish, but the race is still open for the four sides above them. So who has the toughest run-in? And could European competition prove a distraction? We assess the chances of the top-four chasers... 

Premier League table

PL position Team Games played Goal difference Points
3rd Arsenal 36 25 67
4th Man City 36 30 64
5th Man Utd 35 12 60
6th West Ham 35 17 59

Form

West Ham may have the most ground to make up, but they certainly look like the form side. Slaven Bilic's men are unbeaten in 10 Premier League games, and they are the only top-four contender to have won each of their last two fixtures.

Mark Noble (2nd L) of West Ham scores his team's second goal against West Brom at The Hawthorns
Image: Mark Noble scored twice in West Ham's 3-0 win over West Brom

Manchester United might reflect on their failure to take three points against Leicester as a missed opportunity after City's defeat to Southampton, but they are not completely out of form having won four of their previous five games - with the exception of their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham in April.

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City, meanwhile, had been in fine form before their shock defeat to Southampton, having taken 13 points from 15 in their previous five games - a run which included emphatic victories over Bournemouth, Chelsea and Stoke. Manuel Pellegrini must now ensure the heavy defeat on the south coast does not derail their progress.

Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal with Olivier Giroud (R)
Image: Arsenal got back to winning ways against Norwich

And then there's Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's men were 1-0 victors over Norwich on Saturday Night Football, but their performance was far from convincing. They will be still confident of remaining in the top four despite United and West Ham's games in hand, but their stuttering form suggests it's no guarantee.

Remaining fixtures

Remaining fixtures for teams in race for fourth

Man City Arsenal Man Utd West Ham
Arsenal (h) Man City (a) Norwich (a) Swansea (h)
West Ham (a) Man Utd (h)
Swansea (a) Aston Villa (h) Bournemouth (h) Stoke (a)

Third-placed Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday for what could be a crucial game in the top four race. The Gunners will be eager to take more points off City, and they will be confident of finishing the season with a victory at home to bottom side Aston Villa.

Sunday's clash at the Etihad is even more important for City after their 4-2 defeat by Saints, and after that Pellegrini's men face an away trip to Swansea on the final day of the campaign.

Sadio Mane, goal celeb, Southampton v Manchester City, Premier League
Image: Manchester City slumped to a 4-2 defeat away to Southampton

Manchester United - who beat both City and Arsenal in their previous meetings with them - are aiming to put themselves in a position to capitalise on any slip-ups but they can't afford to drop any more points themselves. Next up for Van Gaal's men are Norwich at Carrow Road, followed by a tricky encounter with West Ham at Upton Park and a home game against Bournemouth.

West Ham's next game is at home to Swansea on Saturday, and they will be desperate to give Upton Park a fitting send-off when Manchester United visit the following Tuesday. On the final day of the season, their top-four hopes could rest on a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke.

Andy Carroll of West Ham United celebrates
Image: Andy Carroll's recent form has boosted West Ham's top-four chances

Current injuries

Team Number of injuries (According to physioroom.com)
Man United 3
Man City 2
West Ham 1
Arsenal 1

Of the four sides, Manchester United are the most afflicted by injuries. The Red Devils are currently without three first-team players, including long-term absentees Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luke Shaw.

City are also without key players having lost David Silva and Yaya Toure to injuries in recent weeks, while Arsenal's only absentee is Per Mertesacker, who picked up a hamstring injury against Norwich. West Ham's only absentee is Carl Jenkinson.

Conclusion

Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi (L) blocks a shot from Arsenal's Theo Walcott
Image: Arsenal's clash with Man City in the penultimate round of fixtures could be key

With just eight points separating third-placed Arsenal and sixth-placed West Ham, the race for the top four is far from over. It's tough to call, too.

The winner of Manchester City's clash with Arsenal will be heavy favourites to go on and book their place in next year's Champions League, but a defeat could be particularly costly to Pellegrini's men after their loss against Southampton. City, of course, also have the small matter of a Champions League semi-final to contend with.

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United and West Ham are outsiders as they sit four and five points behind City respectively, but they have played one less game and next week's meeting between the two sides at Upton Park gives them a great opportunity to make up some ground on the top four.

Arsenal and City remain in control of their destiny, but there could be more twists and turns to come.

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