Only 14 matches remain in this exhilarating Premier League season and it already looks like it’s squeaky bum time for some managers.
On a matchweek which veered between brilliance and bemusement only two of the ‘Big Six’ claimed maximum points, making activity at the Premier League’s zenith very interesting.
Arsenal and Spurs saw off Cardiff and Watford respectively, while Liverpool and Man Utd could only share the spoils with Leicester and Burnley.
As for reigning champions Man City, as well as Chelsea, they both capitulated at either end of the country, with Newcastle and Bournemouth pulling off huge upsets respectively in the north and south.
These shock results have blown the chase for Champions League qualification wide open, while proceedings at the foot of the table are equally precarious.
It was a fascinating matchday 24, but what is the current state of play following some giant killings, lukewarm performances and routine results?
1. Liverpool (61pts)
What are they playing for?
Not since the 2013/14 season have Liverpool had such an opportunity to clinch their first Premier League title. They slipped up five years ago in dramatic fashion, but Jurgen Klopp will be keen to ensure that there is not a repeat of ‘Crystanbul’.
What are their odds?
Liverpool’s target this season is no doubt to win the Premier League and BetBull have placed the Reds at 1/2 to clinch the highly-illustrious trophy.
Next five games: West Ham (A), Bournemouth (H), Man Utd (A), Watford (H), Everton (A)
Squawka predicts: 1st
2. Man City (56 pts)
What are they playing for?
Pep Guardiola will have huge aspirations of retaining the Premier League title and maintaining his domestic stranglehold over English football. The forthcoming months will be crucial for the Catalonian and slip-ups like the one witnessed on Tyneside cannot happen again.
What are their odds?
City are vying for top-flight supremacy and BetBull have them down at 7/4 to win back-to-back Premier League titles.
Next five games: Arsenal (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H), West Ham (H), Bournemouth (A)
Squawka predicts: 2nd
3. Spurs (54 pts)
What are they playing for?
The north London club were in the mix for the title a few months ago and after the midweek results they have gained some ground, now just seven points off leaders Liverpool – crazier things have happened, but Mauricio Pochettino will certainly be content with a third-place finish anyway.
What are their odds?
It may seem outlandish but if you fancy Spurs to pull off an unlikely title win then BetBull have them at 33/1, or if you have a hankering for a more sensible flutter, Spurs are at 2/13 to finish in the top four.
Next five games: Newcastle (H), Leicester (H), Burnley (A), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H)
Squawka predicts: 3rd
4. Arsenal (47 pts)
What are they playing for?
Unai Emery’s task this season would have been to get the Gunners back into the Champions League, and the Spaniard is well on course after leapfrogging Chelsea this week, but there remains just two points between fourth and sixth.
What are their odds?
Arsenal are habitually a top four club but have fallen short the past few seasons. That said, they are right in the hunt for a Champions League qualification place this term and BetBull have placed them at 11/5 to achieve just that.
Next five games: Man City (A), Huddersfield (A), Southampton (H), Bournemouth (H), Spurs (A)
Squawka predicts: 6th
5. Chelsea (47 pts)
What are they playing for?
The wheels have looked like they’ve been coming off in recent weeks for Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea, but the battle for a top four finish is well within the Italian’s grasp, and Sarrismo could yet thrive with Gonzalo Higuain in the ranks, though Eddie Howe would beg to differ.
What are their odds?
They started off with a title charge, but now the west London club are locked in an intense dogfight for fourth and BetBull have them at 4/6 to finish there.
Next five games: Huddersfield (H), Man City (A), Brighton (H), Spurs (H), Fulham (A)
Squawka predicts: 4th
6. Man Utd (45 pts)
What are they playing for?
It looked like the season was dead and buried when Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, but interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has injected fresh impetus and the Red Devils are firmly in the race for fourth.
What are their odds?
United are currently two points adrift fourth-place but BetBull have them at 7/4 to finish there come the end of the campaign.
Next five games: Leicester (A), Fulham (A), Liverpool (H), Crystal Palace (A), Southampton (H)
Squawka predicts: 5th
7. Wolves (35 pts)
What are they playing for?
Newly-promoted Wolves would have been happy with Premier League survival but they have exploded onto the scene and will have aspirations of being the best of the rest.
What are their odds?
With no European distraction, Wolves could pull off a shock and finish in the top six, and BetBull have them at 25/1 to achieve such a feat.
Next five games: Everton (A), Newcastle (H), Bournemouth (A), Huddersfield (A), Cardiff (H)
Squawka predicts: 8th
8. Everton (33 pts)
What are they playing for?
Marco Silva has a crucial few months to prove that he is still the man to take Everton to the next level; make no mistake, the Portuguese coach is fighting for his future so every match is crucial.
What are their odds?
Everton’s hopes of reaching the top six look unlikely, but a top half finish is certainly on the cards and BetBull have them at 2/5 to finish there.
Next five games: Wolves (H), Man City (H), Watford (A), Cardiff (A), Liverpool (H)
Squawka predicts: 7th
9. Watford (33 pts)
What are they playing for?
Watford started the season brightly and continue to soar after a slight blip, but there is no doubt that Javi Gracia will want the Hornets to finish in the top half.
What are their odds?
Watford finished 14th last season, but are in a good position to finish in the top half this time around and BetBull have them at 8/11 to do exactly that.
Next five games: Brighton (A), Everton (H), Cardiff (A), Liverpool (A), Leicester (H)
Squawka predicts: 12th
10. Bournemouth (33 pts)
What are they playing for?
Eddie Howe’s men are a very exciting team to watch and, after their 4-0 humbling of Chelsea, the man at the helm will no doubt believe they can achieve a top 10 finish this term.
What are their odds?
The Cherries finished 12th last term so will want to better that with a top half finish this season and BetBull have placed them at 8/11.
Next five games: Cardiff (A), Liverpool (A), Wolves (H), Arsenal (A), Man City (H)
Squawka predicts: 9th
11. Leicester City (32 pts)
What are they playing for?
The Foxes finished ninth last season so Claude Puel will be eager to ensure a similar position is achieved this term, and while there is a certain amount of pressure on his shoulders, a top 10 finish will be key.
What are their odds?
BetBull have Leicester at 1/2 to finished in the top half of the Premier League this season.
Next five games: Man Utd (H), Spurs (A), Crystal Palace (H), Brighton (H), Watford (A)
Squawka predicts: 10th
12. West Ham (31 pts)
What are they playing for?
West Ham installed manager Manuel Pellegrini to achieve a high finish, and now the pressure is very much on the Chilean to finish in the top half of the league this season and better last season’s 13th-place finish.
What are their odds?
The Hammers will not settle for anything less than top half and BetBull have them at 6/5 to pull it off.
Next five games: Liverpool (H), Crystal Palace (A), Fulham (H), Man City (A), Newcastle (H)
Squawka predicts: 11th
13. Brighton (26 pts)
What are they playing for?
Premier League safety will be enough to call Brighton’s season a success, but Chris Hughton will believe his side can still find their way into the top half of the table.
What are their odds?
The Seagulls are currently seven points off the top half but will fancy their chances of climbing up the table and BetBull have them at 8/1 to climb into the upper reaches.
Next five games: Watford (H), Burnley (H), Chelsea (A), Leicester (A), Huddersfield (H)
Squawka predicts: 14th
14. Newcastle (24 pts)
What are they playing for?
Newcastle have been languishing outside the relegation zone for most of the season so, despite their recent triumph over Man City, they will be content with survival this term.
What are their odds?
There is still plenty of time to climb the table and after breaking their transfer fee record this window BetBull have the Magpies at 20/1 to finish in the top half.
Next five games: Spurs (A), Wolves (A), Huddersfield (H), Burnley (H), West Ham (A)
Squawka predicts: 13th
15. Crystal Palace (23 pts)
What are they playing for?
The Eagles are not quite out of danger just yet and with talisman Wilfried Zaha suspended after picking up a red card against Southampton, Roy Hodgson has a monumental task to keep Palace afloat.
What are their odds?
Relegation is unlikely but a top half finish is perhaps even more unlikely, so BetBull have Palace 1/14 to finish in the bottom half.
Next five games: Fulham (H), West Ham (H), Leicester (A), Man Utd (H), Burnley (A)
Squawka predicts: 16th
16. Southampton (23 pts)
What are they playing for?
The Saints axed Mark Hughes and appointed Ralph Hasenhuttl to steady the ship last month, and the Austrian started brightly but the club still remain four points just outside the relegation zone.
What are their odds?
The Saints are in serious danger of relegation but BetBull have them at 1/20 to survive.
Next five games: Burnley (A), Cardiff (H), Arsenal (A), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A)
Squawka predicts: 15th
17. Burnley (23 pts)
What are they playing for?
To think the Clarets were in the Europa League at the start of the season after finishing seventh last term, but they are dangerously lurking just outside the relegation zone and are in serious trouble.
What are their odds?
Burnley were sensational last season but remain in uncertain territory this, and BetBull have placed them at 4/11 to stay up this season.
Next five games: Southampton (H), Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Newcastle (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Squawka predicts: 17th
18. Cardiff (19 pts)
What are they playing for?
The Welsh outfit are in desperate need of points and the coming months will be vital for Neil Warnock as he looks to keep the Bluebirds in the English top-flight.
What are their odds?
Cardiff were expected to go down at the start of the season but have impressed along the way and BetBull have them at 12/5 to retain their Premier League status.
Next five games: Bournemouth (H), Southampton (A), Watford (H), Everton (H), Wolves (A)
Squawka predicts: 19th
19. Fulham (17 pts)
What are they playing for?
There were high hopes for Fulham this season but after starting off in dismal fashion, Slavisa Jokanovic was relieved of his managerial duties and now Claudio Ranieri has a massive job on his hands to save the Cottagers.
What are their odds?
The Italian has a strong squad and the experience to match, and BetBull have put them at 12/5 to beat the drop.
Next five games: Crystal Palace (A), Man Utd (H), West Ham (A), Southampton (A), Chelsea (H)
Squawka predicts: 18th
20. Huddersfield (11 pts)
What are they playing for?
The immediate forecast looks bleak for the Terriers with the club 12 points adrift, but newly-appointed Jan Siewert will be keen to impress and pull off the great escape.
What are their odds?
Huddersfield’s chances of survival look slim and BetBull have put them at 20/1 to pull off the unthinkable.
Next five games: Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H), Brighton (A)
Squawka predicts: 20th
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