Man United vs Liverpool vs Chelsea: Next five Premier League games show clear advantage to one side

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are locked in a gripping battle for fourth place in the Premier League table.

Securing a top four finish ensures a golden ticket to the UEFA Champions League next season.

United currently occupy fourth spot with 45 points, but there is no margin for complacency with Chelsea breathing down their neck just one point behind, while Liverpool lurk in sixth on 42 points after 26 matches.

Manchester United

United will face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening before returning to Old Trafford to host Crystal Palace.

Their next three fixtures are Newcastle United (A), Aston Villa (H) and Bournemouth (A).

While the schedule may appear manageable at first glance, four of those five opponents are sitting in the top half and harbour genuine European ambitions of their own.

Palace sit in 13th and have lost the early-season spark that once made them dangerous.

Under head coach Michael Carrick, United have rediscovered control and consistency. However, anything fewer than 11 points from the 15 available could seriously damage their top-four credentials.

Chelsea

Chelsea mirror United’s recent form, collecting four wins and a draw from their last five league outings.

This revival follows a bleak run of one victory in nine matches, a slump that prompted the appointment of Liam Rosenior.

They are overwhelming favourites against Burnley before facing a defining away trip to Emirates Stadium on March 1.

An away clash at Aston Villa will further test their resolve, though home advantage against Newcastle and a trip to Everton present opportunities.

If Rosenior can extract points from Arsenal and Villa, Chelsea could leapfrog United and seize control of fourth place.

Liverpool

It has been a miserable title defence (which never began) for the Merseyside outfit.

However, their upcoming fixtures offer a golden opportunity to reignite momentum.

They face three sides who are in a relegation battle (Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur).

They will also meet Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are rock-bottom in the league and are practically relegated.

A final trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, who have underwhelmed this campaign, completes the set.

On paper, Liverpool could realistically collect 15 points and storm into the top-four before March draws to a close.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .