The North London derby is our live game on Newstalk Sport today with commentary from Dave McIntyre. Joining him at White Hart Lane is former Ireland midfielder Steven Reid who makes his Newstalk debut.

The Premier League title race appears to have been sown up by Manchester United, barring a major collapse. But below the two Manchester clubs, there is a three-way battle for the final two Top Four places, especially as Everton seems to have been cut adrift somewhat.

Chelsea’s defeat at City last week saw Tottenham leapfrog the Blues but also saw a stuttering Arsenal side reel them in. However Chelsea got a narrow but crucial win over West Brom yesterday to go back to third - at least temporarily.

With 11 games to go, Tottenham and Arsenal go into the North London derby on 51 points and 47 points respectively. That crunch encounter is a game in hand on Chelsea who are on 52 points.

But which team has the most negotiable path between now and the culmination of the season?

Chelsea

The Blues’ defeat at the Etihad left them in a rather precarious position and talk of tensions between Rafa Benitez and the players, particularly John Terry won't go away.

The Blues have a tricky run in with difficult trips to Manchester United, local rivals Fulham and Liverpool, while they also host Top Four Tottenham. However there may be mitigating circumstances. By the time they face Man United, the Reds may have already secured the title, which could play into Chelsea’s hands. But by that token, the following fixture against Aston Villa could be dangerous as Paul Lambert’s men could still be fighting desperately for survival.

The home tie with Tottenham in mid-April may well be decisive.

March 10^th – Fulham (A)

March 16^th - West Ham (H)

March 31^st – Southampton (A)

April 6^th – Sunderland (H)

April 14^th – Tottenham (H)

April 21^st – Liverpool (A)

April 27^th – Swansea (H)

May 4^th – Man United (A)

May 12^th – Aston Villa (A)

May 19^th – Everton (H)

 

Tottenham

A victory over Arsenal today will put Tottenham on course for that coveted Top Four place as it would open up a seven point gap. However defeat would be a huge confidence blow as they look to avoid last season’s collapse and as they enter a tough run of fixtures.

Similarly to Chelsea, the head-to-head on April 14^th will be crucial, as will away trips to Anfield, The Liberty Stadium and the Britannia. Home games against Man City and Everton will be another tough challenge, while Arsenal and Man United can attest that meeting Wigan late on in a season can be perilous.

March 10^th – Liverpool (A)

March 16^th – Fulham (H)

March 30^th – Swansea (A)

April 7^th – Everton (H)

April 14^th – Chelsea (A)

April 21^st – Man City (H)

April 27^th – Wigan (A)

May 4^th – Southampton (H)

May 12^th - Stoke (A)

May 19^th – Sunderland (H)

 

Arsenal

Despite what much of the media would have you believe, Arsenal’s Premier League form has been reasonably good since they lost to Chelsea on January 20^th. As they head into a monumental encounter with rivals Spurs, Arsene Wenger’s men have picked up 13 points from a possible 15.

There are two difficult games for the Gunners following the match at White Hart Lane. Wenger will know that it is imperative to pick up at least four points against Everton and Swansea. But after those matches, Arsenal have a slightly easier task than Tottenham and Chelsea – on paper at least.  But Arsenal can be difficult to predict so there is likelihood that they will slip up against a side that they are expected to beat, while Man United and Newcastle will provide stern opposition.

March 9^th – Everton (H)

March 16^th – Swansea (A)

March 30^th – Reading (H)

April 6^th – West Brom (A)

April 13^th – Norwich (H)

April 20^th – Fulham (A)

April 28^th – Man United (H)

May 4^th – QPR (A)

May 12^th – Wigan (H)

May 19^th – Newcastle (A)

 

Who do you think will finish in the Top Four?