Liverpool came from being 1-0 down to beat Stoke City at Bet365 stadium. Firmino and Coutinho were on target as the Reds beat the Potters this past weekend.
Liverpool look to be in a good position to finish in top-4 and secure the Champions League qualification for next season. However, it might not be easy as Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal are all chasing Liverpool.
The Reds are currently 3rd in the table with 63 points, 2 more than Manchester City who are 4th in the standings with 61 points, but with a game in hand on Liverpool. Assuming that the Citizens win their game in hand, they would overtake the Reds and go 3rd, but Liverpool would still be in 4th place which is good enough to secure Champions League qualification.
Putting all the permutations and combinations aside, the job would be completed if Liverpool keep winning games just like they did against Stoke City.
However, FiveThirtyEight.com, a statistics website, have predicted each team’s chances of finishing in the top-4, based on their current form and taking the remaining fixtures into account. They have simulated the current season and have predicted the final Premier League table.
It showed Chelsea as champions with 90 points, with Tottenham finishing 2nd on 83 points. They have predicted Manchester City to finish 3rd with 77 points and Liverpool at 4th with 76 points, closely followed by Manchester United and Arsenal with 70 and 68 points respectively.
This is just a simulated Premier League table and reality could be quite different, as the relegation battling teams would come hard fighting for a win. So anything can happen in terms of the top-4 fight.
However, Liverpool have been given an 87% chance of qualifying for Champions League next season and the odds look good. Considering the current form, Liverpool are much better placed than Manchester City and Manchester United.
Liverpool have won 3 of their last 5 games and have drawn 2, whereas Man City have won just 1 game and have drawn 3, and losing 1. United, on the other hand, have won 2 and drawn 3. This shows the kind of form the teams are in and hence, it is hard to see Manchester City finishing above Liverpool, despite having a game in hand on the Reds.
As the final few games of the season are upon us, it will be really interesting to see who finishes where by the end of the season. If Liverpool manage to finish 3rd, it will be a good season for them. However, a 4th place finish wouldn’t be too bad either.
