We’re in the business end of the domestic football season and the race for top four in the Premier League is heating up.

The title race itself is going to be interesting with Man City closing in on Arsenal, who currently lead by four points but have played one more game than City. The two clubs have to play each other next Wednesday which could be the title decider.

But outside the top two there is another race, with Man Utd, Newcastle, Spurs, Villa and Brighton competing for a Champions League place.

Newcastle have been on pace for a top-four finish all season but slipped up against Villa, with a 3-0 defeat at Villa Park. That made it five wins in a row for Villa who have had a late charge but are still outsiders to take a spot as they still trail Newcastle by 6 points and have played one extra game. 

Brighton have been one of the season’s surprise packages and have at least one game in hand over the teams above them, and if they string some more wins together they could make a real challenge going into the final few games of the season.

Spurs would have been breathing down Newcastle’s neck if they had won at the weekend, but their 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth left them three points behind Newcastle, who have an extra game to play.

These two teams meet at the weekend and that is a huge game for both sides as it could direct the momentum of both teams in the final run. If Newcastle win it will create some distance between them and Spurs, but if Spurs win they will be breathing down Newcastle’s neck, level on points but behind on goal difference. That can have a huge effect psychologically on both teams which is why that’s such an important game for both.

Man Utd are currently 3rd but have to play Spurs, Brighton and Villa, so those games will all be instrumental in how the league table looks at the end of the season. All three of those opponents are chasing top four and will see the games as six-pointers. Whereas if United win all three it all but guarantees their spot in the top four.

The pressure is extremely high this season and it will be interesting to see who will score enough and who will make sure the pressure does not get to them. I know we all think going after the title is hard, and I agree, but staying up or fighting for Champions League qualification is as demanding because as a player you take this challenge so personally that you want to do whatever it takes each game. 

Trust me your holidays are always better when you work the whole season and end up walking away what you were fighting for. #mmlove