Liverpool and Man City can still finish as low as 13th, Manchester United remain in relegation trouble and two clubs are out of Champions League contention.
 
1) Liverpool
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 13th
Current points total: 63
Highest possible points total: 96


Liverpool have not done an awful lot wrong this season yet already their 2018/19 and 2019/20 points totals are out of reach. Jurgen Klopp might be pretty good.
 
2) Manchester City
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 13th
Current points total: 62
Highest possible points total: 95
Stuart Pearce was the last Manchester City manager to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League, and the last Manchester City manager to stick a goalkeeper up front because Pep Guardiola is a coward.
 
3) Arsenal
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 14th
Current points total: 61
Highest possible points total: 94
Mikel Arteta can afford to lose one more Premier League game this season and still beat the points total racked up by those Arsenal Invincible frauds. And they can lose 1.4 more games and still win the title.
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho receives instructions from Mikel Arteta.
© Provided by Football365
Jorginho receives instructions from Mikel Arteta.
 
4) Aston Villa
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 18th
Current points total: 55
Highest possible points total: 88
Can Unai Emery stave off relegation for another season? Only time will tell whether Aston Villa have the minerals.
Related video: Guardiola not looking at Liverpool ahead of Manchester City's second leg UCL tie with Copenhagen (English Football Channel)

5) Tottenham
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 18th
Current points total: 50
Highest possible points total: 86
Ange Postecoglou has the chance to do the Spursiest thing of all time.
 
6) Manchester United
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 44
Highest possible points total: 77
Many of their underlying numbers do point to a relegation fight – and it can be safely assumed those Manchester United players do not have the requisite guts for that.
 
7) West Ham
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 42
Highest possible points total: 75
Not sure there is a better way to encapsulate the perennial struggle between Moyes In and Moyes Out.
 
8) Newcastle
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 40
Highest possible points total: 73
If things properly start turning sour then someone must still have the number of apparent actual South Korea manager option Steve Bruce.

9) Brighton
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 39
Highest possible points total: 72
Roberto De Zerbi has barely won a Premier League game since September but would still be coveted by every club across Europe even if he relegates Brighton.
 
10) Wolves
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 38
Highest possible points total: 71
The managerial version of Gary O’Neil cannot actually be relegated so Premier League champions it is.
 
11) Chelsea
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 36
Highest possible points total: 72
Once Todd Boehly amortises those points Chelsea are golden.
 
12) Fulham
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 35
Highest possible points total: 68
How pleasing that Fulham are as close to 5th as they are 18th in terms of points; they really are at a mid-table crossroads.

 
13) Bournemouth
Highest possible finish: 1st
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 31
Highest possible points total: 67
Liverpool need five points to knock Bournemouth out of the Premier League title race.
 
14) Crystal Palace
Highest possible finish: 3rd
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 28
Highest possible points total: 61
The championship dream is over and Roy Hodgson has an awful lot to answer for.
 
15) Brentford
Highest possible finish: 4th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 26
Highest possible points total: 57
Champions League qualification is on once either Ivan Toney remembers he needs to earn his lucrative summer move, or Neal Maupay gets every other player in the division suspended by winding them up.
Neal Maupay reflects on his spat with James Maddison.
© Provided by Football365
Neal Maupay reflects on his spat with James Maddison.
 
16) Everton
Highest possible finish: 4th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 25
Highest possible points total: 56
As Everton fans might point out, those points totals are very much subject to change.
 
17) Nottingham Forest

Highest possible finish: 4th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 24
Highest possible points total: 57
The same stands for Forest, whose illusion of survival might only ever be temporary if the Premier League get their ducks in order quickly enough.
 
18) Luton
Highest possible finish: 4th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 20
Highest possible points total: 56
The world needs Luton in Europe, giving everyone a massive fright before constantly losing by a single late goal.
 
19) Burnley
Highest possible finish: 6th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 13
Highest possible points total: 46
Vincent Kompany’s Champions League dream is officially over.
 
20) Sheffield United
Highest possible finish: 6th
Lowest possible finish: 20th
Current points total: 13
Highest possible points total: 46
Chris Wilder’s side are certainly worthy of the Conference, just not the UEFA Europa iteration.

Stelling ‘accepts battering from Liverpool fans’ after choosing Arsenal man over Salah in combined XI

Jeff Stelling insists Bukayo Saka gets in a Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City combined XI ahead of Mohamed Salah.
Saka has been outstanding for Arsenal this term, scoring 13 goals and making 10 assists in 26 Premier League appearances.
He also has an impressive three goals and four assists in six appearances in the Champions League.

Salah, meanwhile, has 29 goal contributions in 28 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24.
While both players play on the right wing, they are both pretty different.
Saka is more of a team player, someone who can contribute defensively and actually broke into the Gunners’ first team as a left-back, while Salah is more of a final-third player, and a very effective one at that.
OPINION: Bukayo Saka and the 2020 vision that now puts Arsenal man ahead of Mo Salah
There was a debate on talkSPORT this week between Stelling and Ally McCoist, who were unable to decide between Salah and Saka on the right flank of their title race combined XI.
“How you possibly aren’t playing Salah is remarkable!” McCoist said to the former Sky Sports presenter.
“I’m playing Salah on the right, [Erling] Haaland through the middle and [Phil] Foden, in current form, he might be the best player in the country.”
Related video: Mikel Arteta celebrates 'great night' as ruthless Arsenal demolish Blades (Daily Mail)
Stelling responded by saying that Haaland and Foden are nailed on inclusions and accepted he would face the wrath of the Liverpool fans by choosing Saka over the Egyptian superstar.
“Haaland and Foden go without saying,” he said. “I’ve gone with Saka rather than Salah, I just think Saka has been sensational. Look, the stats, there isn’t much to pick between them.
“I’ve gone for the exuberance of youth. Saka has got age on his side and that’s why I’ve gone for him above Salah. But I accept I’m going to get a battering from Liverpool fans.”
READ MORE: Arsenal won’t win the Premier League for these five excellent reasons

Liverpool director target to leave club in summer as Romano confirms he is ‘main name’ on shortlist

Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes will leave the club at the end of the season with Liverpool reportedly keen on appointing him.
Hughes had two playing spells with the Premier League club and took on the technical director role in 2016 after two years on their recruitment team.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Hughes is ‘one of the main names appreciated by Liverpool‘ as the Anfield club search for a new transfer guru.
Former sporting director Michael Edwards is another on the Reds’ shortlist, with a massive summer coming up following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave.
Bournemouth confirmed Hughes’ decision to step down on Tuesday evening.
He told the club’s official website: “Working for AFC Bournemouth has always been a source of great joy and pride for me. Initially representing the club as a player and then subsequently in a football leadership role, I count every moment I’ve spent here as a blessing.
“As technical director, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented and dedicated individuals the game can offer. It’s been ten challenging, enjoyable and rewarding years in this post.
“The journey we have been on, as a club, is nothing short of remarkable. Where we are currently, on and off the pitch, assures me the future is bright.
Related video: Klopp on protecting youngsters but also providing opportunities (English Football Channel)

I know the other night you spoke about the youngsters

“In Bill Foley, AFCB has an owner who is as ambitious as he is smart and committed. In Neill Blake, the club has a top-tier CEO who has always made decisions which place the best interests of the club and its supporters before anything else.
“On the technical side, we have a group of players and coaching setup who complement each other perfectly. Andoni is one of Europe’s most exciting managerial prospects and the playing squad is arguably the best we’ve ever had. I’ve zero doubt that match days will continue to be exciting and entertaining for our fans.
“The club requires a healthy lead up time to plan for the summer and beyond so this is the right time to announce that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
“I look forward to the day I return as a supporter in the company of my wife and our five children who are the biggest of Cherries fans, but before then an important end to this season awaits and I am looking forward to a strong finish. Up the Cherries.”


Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley added: “I’m very grateful for Richard’s outstanding service to this football club. His contribution in helping to deliver competitive teams for us over the years is no better highlighted than by our status as a Premier League club for seven of the last nine seasons. I wish him the very best for the future.”
READ MORE: Top 10 all-time Premier League managers ranked by PPG
Bournemouth later confirmed that Simon Francis – who has worked closely with Hughes – will become the club’s technical director in the summer.
On his appointment, Francis said: “I’d like to thank Bill Foley and Neill Blake for the opportunity to become the first-team technical director of the football club that has been my life for the past 13 years.
“Having been a part of the huge success the club enjoyed during my playing career, I have also been privileged to be a part of the recruitment department, transitioning from Premier League player to a senior scouting role, and then for the last three years as assistant to Richard.

“I can’t thank Richard enough for giving me the guidance and tutelage to understand what it takes to operate at the highest level of football. He is someone I will always hold in the highest of regards. From playing together in the same Eddie Howe team to working together off the pitch has been the perfect apprenticeship for me.
“But now I am proud to be able to play a part in the next chapter of this exciting, ambitious football club and look forward to continuing the work with Andoni and this group of players to help the club build towards an exciting future on and off the pitch.”
AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley said: “Simon has been a key part of our success, firstly with his performances on the field before working closely with Richard and Neill for the last three years off it.
“I’m excited for him to continue that great work, as we aim to sustain our position in the top flight and develop the squad even further over the coming years.”
READ NOW: Premier League stat leaders features Odegaard, Rodri, Haaland as Raya leads Golden Glove race

Man Utd screw Arsenal as club put Hojlund tax on 10-goal striker; Arteta plots ‘bold Barca double deal’

Arsenal can thank Manchester United for Bologna’s asking price for one of Mikel Arteta’s top transfer targets. Also: Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi stance provides a boost to Liverpool and United’s plans…
 
MAN UTD, ARSENAL WANT SERIE A STRIKER
The 2024 summer transfer window is going to see a lot of strikers on the move and one player several top European clubs are looking at is Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. The 22-year-old has scored ten goals in Serie A this season and is helping an unexpected push for Champions League football from Thiago Motta’s side.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are four Premier League clubs all in the market for a new No. 9 and Zirkzee’s name is popping up frequently. Another player on the radar of all four is Brentford striker Ivan Toney, but this is all about Bologna’s star man.
Zirkzee – who Bayern Munich can sign for €40million thanks to an exclusive release clause – has seen his asking price sky-rocket in recent weeks, with Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that Bologna are now looking to receive €80m in the summer, when it was closer to €45m in February.
Like Manchester United did with Antony, they have messed up the market by paying around €80m for Rasmus Hojlund, meaning Bologna believe they should receive a similar fee for the Dutch striker. In fact, the report states that they are telling clubs that Zirkzee is worth ‘what Hojlund cost’.
Over at Tuttosport, it is claimed that the Red Devils have had scouts in attendance to watch Zirkzee, while Arsenal had representatives watch a Serie A match between Lazio and Bologna a few weeks ago.
Related video: Arteta pleased with Arsenal's summer signings' impact. (Sports AlDente)

adding a new dimension to the squad.

READ: Man Utd cannot dally on Ten Hag sack ahead of The Manager Summer
 
PALACE PLAN FOR LIFE WITHOUT GUEHI
While there are going to be plenty of strikers on the move with interest in Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Ivan Toney and more brewing, there could be a centre-back domino effect with Crystal Palace reportedly open to selling Marc Guehi.
Guehi has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs with his performances at Selhurst Park and it is believed that Manchester United and Liverpool are the most interested in signing him.
The Telegraph have some good news for Erik ten Hag and whoever is replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, as it is claimed that Palace ‘are compiling a list of centre-back targets for the summer transfer window’, which hints towards Guehi’s exit.
With only two years left on his Eagles contract, the Londoners are open to cashing in while his value is at its highest, with an asking price of over £50million being mooted.

It is noted that Arsenal and Tottenham have previously shown an interest in signing the England defender – who is currently injured and will not return for eight weeks.
 
ARSENAL PLAN BARCELONA RAID
Sticking with Arsenal, it is expected to be another busy summer at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta looking to sign a couple of Barcelona stars.
Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres and ex-Leeds United winger Raphinha are two players the Gunners have been strongly linked with during Arteta’s reign and there was serious interest in the latter before he chose a move to the Nou Camp over the Emirates and Chelsea – who had a bid accepted by Leeds in the summer of 2022.
Fichajes claim that Arteta is still keen on both players and could help relieve some financial pressure on Barcelona by signing them at the end of the season.
The Spanish website claims that Arsenal are ‘considering a bold double swoop’ of Raphinha and Torres, who are both often being linked with moves away from a club desperate to raise funds and reduce their wage bill.

Arsenal are not alone in showing interest, though. Spurs get a mention, while it is claimed that Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle United are also keen.
Despite more reliable past interest in Raphinha, the report states that Arteta ‘particularly values Torres’ versatile skills’.
READ NEXT: Arsenal won’t win the Premier League for these five excellent reasons

Alan Shearer Says no Man Utd Player Would get in Man City Team

• None of Erik ten Hag's Man Utd players would make it into Pep Guardiola's Man City XI, according to Alan Shearer.
• City's dominance vs United was clear in stats - 73% possession, 27 shots, and 3.33 expected goals.
• Shearer highlighted City's quality, great manager, and system, showing a huge gap between the two teams.

Manchester United were recently defeated 3-1 by their rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and speaking after the game, former Newcastle United forward Alan Shearer has claimed that none of Erik ten Hag's side would get into Pep Guardiola's XI.
Ten Hag's men took the lead in the first half and went in at the break with a slender advantage thanks to a Marcus Rashford wonder strike. However, City dominated proceedings from then on, with United struggling to lay a glove on their rivals in the second half.

Alan Shearer makes brutal Man Utd claim

No Man Utd player would get into Man City's side

Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Shearer, alongside Micah Richards and Gary Lineker, discussed the events that occurred at the Etihad. Shearer made a worrying claim about United's squad, which emphasises the difference in levels between the two teams at the moment. Lineker asked how many United players would get into City's side, and Shearer replied...
Related video: Ten Hag says gap between Man Utd and Man City 'not that big'. (Sports AlDente)

rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium despite Marcus Rashford.

"None. Not one of them would."
The former Newcastle striker later went on to explain in a little more detail, suggesting that Guardiola's influence plays a major impact...
"I don't think any of them would get in. Man City are a quality team. They've got a great manager, they've got a system that they know works, they've got fantastic players that are suited to every position."
Manchester United vs Manchester City stat
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United - 03/03/2024
Considering only a few years ago United were dominating the Premier League, winning the title regularly, it shows how far the Manchester outfit have dropped off. City completely outshone their rivals in the game and were unfortunate not to score more based on the chances they had, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Guardiola wasn't willing to swap out any of his squad.

Related

Man Utd Want Dougie Freedman as new Head of Recruitment

Manchester United have made Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman their top target to be the next head of recruitment at Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe recognises difference between United and City

United have a lot to learn from their rivals

Speaking after his 25% investment in Manchester United was confirmed, Sir Jim Ratcliffe outlined his plans for the club, discussing what he wanted to implement in order to steer the Red Devils in the right direction.
The INEOS founder suggested that United 'have a lot to learn from the noisy neighbour', hinting that the Manchester outfit need to follow in their rivals' footsteps in order to achieve success. Ratcliffe also claimed that he wants United to knock both City and Liverpool 'off their perch', but he will need to make some major changes at Old Trafford in order to bring success back to the club.
All stats courtesy of FotMob