Race for the Premier League Top Four: Can the Blades Make it?

Now that Liverpool have claimed the title, betting interest for the Premier League’s outright markets has turned to which teams can claim a top-four finish.

The race took another turn earlier this week, when Sheffield United, whose unlikely challenge in their first season back in the top flight looked to be faltering after lockdown, clawed their way back into contention.

The Blades beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at Bramall Lane, recording their first victory after football resumed in June, and are now within five points of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United, who are level on points in sixth and fifth place respectively.

Blades too far behind?

But the gap between the Blades and Chelsea, currently in fourth spot, is seven points, a gap which looks insurmountable.

Betway are now offering odds of 40/1 on the Blades claiming a top four spot, and those odds look fair to us, especially given the South Yorkshire side’s goal difference of just +1.

You can back the Blades at 12/1 to finish in the top six, though, which might be a tempting bet for punters looking for a longer shot.

Spurs look completely out of things after that defeat in Sheffield, and odds of 50/1 at Betway on them finishing in the top four reflect their chances.

If Chris Wilder’s team were to do it, it would take some pretty major mess-ups from the teams above them.

As for Wolves, they are now just two points behind Chelsea, and their 1-0 win over West Midlands rivals Aston Villa last weekend put them right into contention.

Their clash with Arsenal this weekend is key to their hopes of Champions League football next season.

Are the Gunners' chances gone?

The Gunners look out of the race, though they still have a chance of a Europa League spot. They are priced at 40/1 for a top four spot at Betway. They are at 6/1 to finish in the top six.

That chance of a top six finish might disappear if Wolves win this weekend, though. Wolves are currently at 3/1 with Betway to finish in the top four, and that looks a good bet to us.

The West Midlanders are also priced at 1/6 by Betway for a top six finish.

Manchester United are also looking very good at the moment, and we think that the Red Devils are probably the best bet for a fourth-placed finish.

Out of all the teams in contention, Betway have them priced at the shortest odds, with United 4/9 to finish in the Champions League places.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team face struggling Bournemouth this weekend, and we suspect that they will take a real bite out of the Cherries’ own chances of avoiding relegation.

You can read our betting tip for that game here.

Chelsea odds on

Chelsea, currently in fourth place, are priced at 1/2, with Leicester City now at 5/4 to reach the Champions League.

Frank Lampard’s team were beaten at West Ham United earlier this week, which gives their weekend clash with Watford even more importance.

Leicester have an easier looking game against Crystal Palace at home, but the Foxes have been in poor form recently and need a win badly to boost their chances of the Champions League.

We’ve previewed their clash with Palace here.

Punters should also make sure that they look at the run in that the teams have.

Leicester have a demanding end to the season, and their clashes with the Blades, Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United are all daunting.

Wolves must face Sheffield United in their last six matches too, as well as Arsenal, and their campaign ends with an away trip to Chelsea.

Chelsea also face the Blades in their last six games, as well as Manchester United, before that tasty looking clash with Wolves ends their campaign.

Manchester United have probably the least demanding run-in, but they still end their campaign with testing games at home to Chelsea and away at Leicester.

As we've outlined above, the Blades have to face one or two of the teams around them in the table, but their campaign ends with games at home to mid-table Everton and away at Southampton, both teams with nothing left to play for this season.

Who knows? Wilder has worked miracles before. Maybe those 40/1 odds are worth a punt?

The race for the top four remains extremely interesting for all fans of football betting. Make sure you keep coming back to Betting.co.uk for all of the latest tips relating to the race!