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Tottenham’s Champions League Spot is Secured

By Alexander Balano

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal to make it 0-4 during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal to make it 0-4 during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Champions League football will return to White Hart Lane one last time after Tottenham have secured a top four spot with this weekend’s results helping Spurs out.

Tottenham’s first, and main, objective to begin the 2015-16 Premier League season was to ultimately finish inside the top four after barely missing out last season by six points. This time around, they’re currently in second place and eight points from a potential shocking upset to win the Premier League title away from Leicester City.

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Even with Leicester drawing against Manchester United earlier in the day, not only did that give Tottenham some hope to close an eight point gap once again (how many times is this now?), but Spurs’ Champions League spot is practically secured.

As for a top three finish? That will come with a win or a draw against Chelsea or the following week when Spurs host Southampton at White Hart Lane for this season’s final home game of the 2015-16 campaign.

Of course, tomorrow night there’s a lot on the line.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 10: Tottenham Hotspur players warm up prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on April 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 10: Tottenham Hotspur players warm up prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on April 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Tottenham must win to keep their title hopes alive which in turn will give them 72 points (they’re at 69 currently) after 36 games. Arsenal, who are in third place with 67 points have already played 36 matches.

As for Manchester City (fourth), Manchester United (fifth) and West Ham United (sixth) their upcoming games will actually benefit Tottenham in terms of securing a top three spot with the season winding down.

Because of Southampton’s 4-2 win over Man City today, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have just played their 36th league game and have 64 points. They’re three behind Arsenal and five adrift of Tottenham (for the time being).

The Citizens’ next match is against Arsenal. As you can see, this is already helping Tottenham out. Either this game ends in a draw, the Gunners win or Manchester City wins. But overall, points will be dropped by someone.

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While Man United and West Ham will face Norwich City and Swansea City respectively, in their next match, the Red Devils and Hammers will square off against one another on matchday 37.

By then, Tottenham will have hopefully secured at least 70 points following their game against Chelsea.

At the same time, because Arsenal are breathing right down Spurs’ neck, this will only give them more incentive to put Manchester City away and get three points to go level with Tottenham if Mauricio Pochettino’s side only earns a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Thankfully, Spurs’ goal difference will keep the Gunners at bay for at least another week. Unless Arsenal can somehow miraculously score at least 14-15 goals in a single game next week at the Etihad Stadium.

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In general, it’s safe to say that Tottenham have effectively secured a Champions League spot. It’s been talked about for the past few matches now, that Spurs were guaranteed entry into Europe’s elite club competition for next season.

But it’s definitely a lock that a top four finish is possible and Tottenham can’t drop any further. Unless everyone wins, which is impossible because Arsenal faces Man City, while Man United faces West Ham, and Spurs don’t win their final three games.

So long as Tottenham reaches at least 70 points, a top three finish is theirs.

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