This season we will have several teams competing for the top 4 spots, which makes it very exciting.
Up until the final few rounds of the season, the top 4 race in the Premiership was as exciting as ever, with Arsenal ultimately pipping Everton to the final Champions League berth. And with top 5 sides from last term all adding some high-quality players to their ranks plus seventh-placed Manchester United bringing Dutch maestro Louis van Gaal to replace David Moyes, chances are the chase for the top 4 positions in the 2014/2015 season could prove more interesting than ever before. Considering that the new campaign kicks off this weekend, now is as good a time as any to assess teams chances of achieving Champions League qualification through league finish.
Chelsea
Market: Chelsea to finish in top 4
Odds:
While finishing the previous campaign mere four points behind champions Manchester City, Chelsea have done some excellent business in the summer transfer window, and no doubt they will be one of the main candidates for the trophy. Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Cesc Fabregas should prove very good signings for the Blues, while Thibaut Courtois and Didier Drogba will also come in handy. As a result, Chelsea now have a very balanced squad with an extremely strong starting line-up and quite a few exciting options on the bench, meaning a place in the top 4 should never come into question.
Manchester City
Market: Manchester City to finish in top 4
Odds:
The reigning Premier League champions have succeeded in keeping hold of the key men, while splashing the cash on Eliaquim Mangala, who should partner captain Vincent Kompany in the heart of defence. The remainder of the summer signings, Frank Lampard included, are unlikely to play a major role, but City should still be there or thereabouts come end of the season. Manuel Pellegrini now have decent replacements for most first team regulars and if Sergio Aguero can enjoy an injury-free season, title defence could become a reality. Either way, the Citizens can be trusted to secure Champions League qualification.
Arsenal
Market: Arsenal to finish in top 4
Odds:
The 2013/2014 campaign was a breakthrough season for Arsenal as they successfully ended the long trophy drought while also closing the gap behind England s top sides and everything suggests their uptrend in fortunes is going to continue. The club have continued to attract top players, with Alexis Sanchez likely to set the Premier League alight, while Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers should prove useful signings as well. The return of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott from injury is likely to be a huge boost for the club and the 3-0 triumph over Manchester City in the Community Shield match could be a sign of things to come.
Liverpool
Market: Liverpool to finish in top 4
Odds:
Liverpool came so close to winning their first Premier League title last term only to fall at the last hurdle, but recent developments suggest the Reds will again be serious title contenders. Yes, Luis Suarez is now gone, but the likes of Lovren, Moreno, Can, Lallana, Markovic and Lambert have arrived, making sure there is enough strength in depth to cope with the busy schedule. Brendan Rodgers is likely to make another attacking signing by the end of the summer transfer window, but even if he fails to do so, his charges will have enough quality to secure another top 4 finish.
