Saints limbering up for the final Premier League countdown

Chelsea, Stoke, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester United and Saints all have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League and it remains largely indecipherable which teams will prevail as we enter the home straight.

With a maximum of three places available in Europe's second cup competition, each point and goal is more important than ever as 7th-placed Saints, who kept their ambitions alive with a 3-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday, take aim for continental qualification for a second successive season.

If a top-six side win the FA Cup then 5th, 6th and 7th will all enable Europa League qualification.

With several clubs still in the reckoning for those positions, there is set to be many twists and turns to come before the middle of May. And fine margins to contend with too.

Confidence is high at Saints but, compared to their rivals, have one of the most challenging run ins in their last five games.

They must play two teams from the top four, with a match against heavyweights Manchester City at St Mary's on May 1 before travelling to title-chasing Tottenham the following week.

Slaven Bilic's Hammers (6th) and Louis van Gaal's United (5th) meanwhile play against just one team from the top four each while Jurgen Klopp's Reds, who are two points behind Saints with two games in hand, will play NONE of the teams in Champions League positions.

That puts Saints in a difficult position, but Koeman, who has led his side to three wins in four games, has set targets that he hopes will help negotiate the final straight.

The St Mary's boss is aiming to get at least four points from away matches at Everton and Aston Villa, which will help Saints maintain the pressure on the Hammers one place above them and the Red Devils.

Certainly, Chelsea's and Stoke's hopes look close to being dashed after defeats last weekend and also a fixture list that rivals Saints' for difficulty.

Guus Hiddink's Blues must reignite an already glum season with THREE games with top-four clubs to deal with.

They welcome Manchester City and Tottenham to Stamford Bridge before potentially watching Leicester lift their lost Premier League trophy at home on the final day. Mark Hughes' Potters also play Spurs and City.

THE RUN IN

Southampton

Remaining games:

• Apr 16 Everton A
• Apr 23 Aston Villa A
• May 1 Man City H
• May 8 Tottenham A
• May 15 Crystal Palace H

The tough ones: Tottenham looks like the toughest nut to crack of the lot.

It could be that Spurs will still be chasing the Premier League title by the time Saints arrive at White Hart Lane, but if surprise leaders Leicester have already won it, then it could well be a dud game for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Although, it will be their last home game of a very good season, so they’ll want to bow out on a high.

Manchester City will always be a difficult one because of their quality.

However, if they make it through to the Champions League semi-finals, this game at St Mary’s will land just a matter of days before the second leg.

If that’s the case, the Saints game won’t be a priority – departing manager Manuel Pellegrini would want nothing more than to be champions of Europe before Pep Guardiola comes in.

Especially considering they are out the title race and the league is pretty much meaningless to them already, they’ll just be going through the motions by the time they get to St Mary’s.

Everton have had a rubbish season considering the players they have and only cannon fodder Aston Villa have a worst record at home in the league.

They still have to be considered among the hard games, though, simply because Saints are awful at Goodison Park. They have lost eight of their last ten games there and haven’t won at Everton in 19 years.

The ‘easier’ ones: Aston Villa will – almost certainly – be relegated by the time Saints visit Villa Park a week on Saturday. Villa have been Championship-bound for most of the season and, in this one, the fans will be more interested in berating the players and owners rather than what’s going on on the pitch.

Saints should be able to cruise to victory there.

Crystal Palace have been awful in the Premier League in 2016 – winning their first league game of the calendar year against Norwich last weekend.

By the time they come to St Mary’s on the final day, they would have confirmed survival in the league and will be possibly heading for a Wembley FA Cup final.

They won’t be bothered about this one.

Current form: Saints have had their fair share on inconsistencies this season, but are finishing strongly.

They’ve won three of their last four – only losing against leaders Leicester – and are playing with purpose as they take aim for Europe.

Key players in race for Europe? Graziano Pelle has hit form again and will be key if he keeps scoring. The Italian has been involved in seven of Saints’ last eight goals – netting four and assisting three.

Victor Wanyama – as long as he doesn’t get sent off for a fourth time this term – is the destructive force that Saints definitely need for the run in. He’s been superb since he came back from a five-match ban.

Virgil van Dijk has been absolutely brilliant since arriving from Celtic last August. He’s a monster in defence, his quality next to Jose Fonte at centre-back is vital.

Why they could miss out in the race for Europe? If their inconsistencies rear their ugly head again then this campaign could peter out fast and they need to keep key players fit.

Considering the game/s in hand Liverpool (they have two), West Ham, Manchester United and even Chelsea have, it is hard to tell how things will develop, but Saints just need to keep going.

Overall: They will keep a watchful eye on how teams around them do in their games in hand and also how the teams they play do in other competitions.

They can afford few slip ups, but still have everything to play for, even if it relies on other how other clubs fare.

West Ham

Remaining games

• Apr 17 Leicester A
• Apr 20 Watford H
• Apr 30 West Brom A
• May 7 Swansea H
• May 10 Man United H
• May 15 Stoke A

The tough ones: Absolutely nothing looks like stopping the Leicester juggernaut on the way to the Premier League title and this superb West Ham side will very likely become the latest Foxes victims.

Although, a draw doesn’t seem out of the realms of possibility, especially as West Ham have drawn their last four and are unbeaten in nine league games.

The fate of Manchester United and Slaven Bilic’s side are heavily intertwined this at this key time.

They play a huge FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow night and meet on the penultimate day of the league season, which could decide fifth place or even a Champions League spot. 

The ‘easier’ ones: Watford, Swansea and West Brom have all one thing in common: they will all be playing Premier League football next season, but have absolutely nothing to play for in the league anymore.

For a team like West Ham they should be able to steamroller all of them.

Watford have an FA Cup semi-final too, which comes four days after playing Hammers, so they’ll be even more disinterested.

Stoke might cause problems, but the likelihood is that they too will nothing riding on the final day of the season. 

Current form: West Ham are playing with a freedom that allows them to express themselves and produce performances that are unshackled. Although they have drawn four in a row, they are unbeaten in nine in the Prem.

They’ve lost just six times all season – only Leicester and Tottenham can beat that. 

Key players in race for Europe? Dmitri Payet’s free kicks and creativity are so important to West Ham. Mark Noble has been outstanding for the Hammers too. 

Why they could miss out in race for Europe? The only way things could fall apart is if they switch their focus completely on to winning the FA Cup and fizzle out in the Premier League. 

Overall: Unless things dramatically fall apart Slaven Bilic’s will rival Manchester United for fifth place, especially as four of their remaining games are very winnable.

Manchester United

Remaining games

• Apr 16 Aston Villa H
• Apr 20 Crystal Palace H
• May 1 Leicester H
• May 7 Norwich A
• May 10 West Ham A
• May 15 Bournemouth A

The tough ones: Louis van Gaal’s side have been rigid and turgid – by their standards anyway – for most of this season and will find a West Ham side full of freedom and creativity difficult to control.

Leicester will be aiming to pretty much seal their Premier League title when they go to Old Trafford. Norwich may also prove a hard game, with Alex Neil’s side battling relegation.

The ‘easier’ ones: No need to really explain why Aston Villa at Old Trafford won’t be too much of a problem.

Crystal Palace are heading for an FA Cup semi-final and are pretty much safe from relegation – it doesn’t take rocket science to work out what their priority will be.

Cherries on the last day could be interesting, but Eddie Howe’s side could well be in party mode by then after surviving their first season in the top-flight. 

Current form: Marcus Rashford’s sudden emergence and Anthony Martial have helped United to vital recent wins over Manchester City and Everton, although they were completely undone at Spurs. They have won four of their last six, though. 

Key players in race for Europe? Martial’s goals and skill will be important in attack and David de Gea is one of the best keepers in the league. His presence is vital.

Why they could miss out in race for Europe? It has been a poor season overall for United, but barring a complete capitulation they should win enough games to keep themselves well in the running for a top six finish. 

Overall: Louis van Gaal will be aiming for fifth at least and potentially the FA Cup if they can get past West Ham.

Liverpool

Remaining games

• Apr 17 Bournemouth A
• Apr 20 Everton H
• Apr 23 Newcastle H
• Apr 30 Swansea A
• May 7 Watford H
• May 11 Chelsea H
• May 15 West Brom A

The tough ones: Liverpool’s run in is probably about as kind as you can get.

None of the teams they face are above them in the Premier League and have, apart from relegation candidates Newcastle, little to play for.

Chelsea might be as tough as it gets with the amount of quality they have, but this season is already a write off for the Blues.

Everton will also be an interesting game because it’s a derby, but that’s about as far as it goes, with Roberto Martinez’s side massively underachieving this season. 

The ‘easier’ ones: Bournemouth have already achieved the dream of Premier League survival and should be no match for Jurgen Klopp’s side – unless they suffer some post-Europa League hangover after the quarter-final second-leg against Dortmund on Thursday.

Swansea, Watford and West Brom are all home and hosed too, so they should be there for the taking.

Newcastle could be interesting, with former manager Rafael Benitez returning to Anfield.

But, unless the Magpies suddenly become good, or even find a small ounce of competency , that game will almost certainly swing in Liverpool's favour. 

Current form: Liverpool are still very inconsistent and it would be no surprise if they blunder again before the end of the season – especially if they progress in the Europa League.

They defeated Stoke 4-1 last time out and drew with title-chasing Tottenham before that, but were defeat 3-2 by Saints after taking a 2-0 lead. It's hard to know what exactly you'll get from this team sometimes.

Key players in race for Europe? If Divock Origi takes his recent goalscoring form into the remainder of the season he will be key.

Philippe Coutinho’s creativity and goals are vital for Liverpool, while ex-Saints man Adam Lallana has also been a very important presence. 

Why they could miss out in race for Europe? If Liverpool beat Dortmund in the Europa League, they will be through to the semi finals, will have defeated the best team left in the competition and be in sight of, not only some much-needed silverware but also, if they win it, a Champions League spot.

In that scenario, then the league season will be far less important. Liverpool currently hold the away goal advantage against Klopp’s former team going into Thursday’s decider at Anfield. 

Overall: Have played two games fewer and are two points behind than Saints just above them in seventh.

With their run in they should be able to push for a top five finish, but their inconsistencies and the Europa League campaign, could see them fall short.

Stoke 

Remaining games

• Apr 18 Tottenham H
• Apr 24 Man City A
• Apr 30 Sunderland H
• May 7 Crystal Palace A
• May 15 West Ham H

The tough ones: Tottenham will be out to keep their title chase on track at the Britannia Stadium.

Manchester City may be slightly distracted by the Champions League if they make it through to the semi finals, but Stoke will struggle against their quality.

Sunderland will be in the middle of a battle for Premier League survival and West Ham will have their own European interests. Overall a tough run in for Mark Hughes' side. 

The ‘easier’ ones: Crystal Palace are the only team on Stoke’s run in with little to play for after they basically sealed their Premier League status with a win over Norwich at the weekend. 

Current form: They have been in very inconsistent form of late, with two wins and the same amount draws and defeats. 

Key players in race for Europe? Marko Arnautovic's scores important goals.

They will need him on form if they stand a chance of breaking into the top six. 

Why they could miss out in race for Europe? Without Butland they struggled defensively in their last few games. Especially in the 4-1 loss against Liverpool.

That could cost them dear in the end because they are already well off the pace and have their work cut out if they are to make a charge for the European places. 

Overall: Butland absence means they are vulnerable at the back and with a fairly tricky run in until the end of the season it is going to be a big stretch to finish in European places.

Chelsea

Remaining games

• Apr 16 Man City H 
• Apr 23 Bournemouth A
• May 2 Tottenham H
• May 7 Sunderland A
• May 11 Liverpool A
• May 15 Leicester H 

The tough ones: Chelsea are just off the chasing pack for a top six place and the fact that they to play three of the top four in the Premier League could hinder any further progress. Games against Manchester City and Tottenham are especially tough, while Leicester on the final day could well be a title celebration for the Foxes and lack any importance in terms of league position. Liverpool is another tasty game on the penultimate day and Sunderland just before their trip to Anfield could see Sam Allaryce’s side still very much in the battle for Premier League survival.

The ‘easier’ ones: The match at Bournemouth will have less edge to it now after Eddie Howe confirmed their Premier League survival with a win at Aston Villa. Current form: They were dreadful in the 1-0 defeat at Swansea, especially defensively, and slumped to their first league loss since December.

Key players in race for Europe? Willian has been one of a few shining lights at Chelsea this season. Diego Costa’s goals are vital too.

Why they could miss out in race for Europe? After that defeat to Swansea – their first in the league under interim manager Guus Hiddink – there’s certainly a feeling that the fallen Premier League champions are spent. They’ve had an awful season by their standards and nothing will change that. Europa League qualification won’t be an attractive prospect.