Paul Merson feels Tottenham Hotspur can take control of the race to finish in the top four of the Premier League table. He believes Spurs’ next two games could give them the edge.
Tottenham impressed Merson last Saturday by bouncing back from crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League. Antonio Conte’s side reacted to their recent disappointments by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1. The result kept Spurs sitting in fourth place in the table.
The north Londoners now have a four-point lead to fifth place in the race to qualify for the Champions League. Newcastle United overtook Liverpool to become Tottenham’s nearest challengers by beating Wolves 2-1. The Reds lost ground after a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.
Tottenham have the edge in the race to finish in the top four of the table
But Newcastle still hold two games in hand over Tottenham in the race to finish in the top four. Liverpool also have one game in hand but it would not be enough for Jurgen Klopp’s squad to overhaul Spurs. While both, the Toon and Reds, boast superior goal differences.
A top-four finish in the Premier League is all Tottenham and Newcastle now have to focus on. While Liverpool are still fighting in the Champions League and for qualification for next season’s edition. But the Reds’ face Real Madrid this Wednesday trailing 5-2 on aggregate.
AC Milan eliminated Tottenham from the Champions League in the last 16 last Wednesday with a 1-0 win on aggregate. Spurs offered little creativity in either leg of their meetings to limp out of Europe. Sheffield United also dumped them from the FA Cup in the fifth round.
What has Merson said about Spurs qualifying for the Champions League?
Conte’s squad beating Nottingham Forest after their frustrations in the cups instilled some belief in Merson for their top-four hopes. He feels Tottenham may now take control of the race if they can beat Southampton and Everton over their next two Premier League games.
“Tottenham have won five of their last seven in the Premier League,” Merson has told Sky Sports. “They had a shocking result in midweek against AC Milan but that’s football.
“They’ve bounced back to beat a poor Nottingham Forest away side, who are chalk and cheese home and away. The top four is in their hands and if they win their next two games against Southampton and Everton, they’ll be hard to chase down.”
Tottenham visit Southampton this Saturday before visiting Everton on April 3 following the international break. While to support Merson’s point, Nottingham Forest have won five of their 13 games at the City Ground this season but have only won in one of 13 on the road.
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