The Race for Champions League Places

[Exiled_red]

Dont think Newcastle are capable of sticking it out.

And given Spurs' next 6 or 7 games, i wouldnt be sure that they've got 3rd tied up either.

I've been expecting them to fall away for at least a couple of months though

[Craig_H]

If we win tomorrow - and then win at Old Trafford, we'll go into Saturday 3pm in 4th place.

And then, the games for the others that day:

Everton v Chelsea
Sunderland v Arsenal
Tottenham v Newcastle


Very realistic possibility that, if we win these next 2 games, we'll be in 4th place with everyone having played 25 games.

[Craig_H]

ive been thinking the same thing about newcastle and that at some stage it would come to an end but theyre still there and weve a third of the season left.

we really need to pick up our results and if we can win at least ten or eleven of the last few games then were in with a chance.

I think if we win eleven of our remaining games, we could be almost nailed on for 4th. Especially if 3 of the 11 are the games vs Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.

[Exiled_red]

If we win tomorrow - and then win at Old Trafford, we'll go into Saturday 3pm in 4th place.

And then, the games for the others that day:

Everton v Chelsea
Sunderland v Arsenal
Tottenham v Newcastle


Very realistic possibility that, if we win these next 2 games, we'll be in 4th place with everyone having played 25 games.

It's a big if Those are two very difficult games. Fingers crossed we can win both but I wouldn't bank on it.

[vlahka]

While I see us beating Tottenham, I dont think we'll manage to beat UTD at their home. They're a disgustingly lucky team when it comes to penalties lately.

[el matador]

does anyone know just how many penalties howard webb has given united. maybe its just me but every time he refs them I see them get very dodgy decisions.

hopefully it will come out that united were bribing him for the past ten seasons and they have a load of titles taken away followed by relegation to league 2.

[Craig_H]

Looking at Arsenal's next few games, there's a real chance they could fall well out of contention by early March:

Feb 11th
Sunderland (a)

Feb 26th
Spurs (h)

March 3rd
Liverpool (a)

[Phoenix07]

What an opportunity we have. I felt dirty for wanting a draw, but it helped us big time. We need to get a win tomorrow and see what happens at Old Trafford before the Arsenal game.

[TheElephantMan]

What an opportunity we have. I felt dirty for wanting a draw, but it helped us big time. We need to get a win tomorrow and see what happens at Old Trafford before the Arsenal game.

I was willing United to get a third goal too! I either wanted a draw or United to get thrashed, the result was definitely the best outcome. Massive game tomorrow, very nervous about it.

[Chris]

Win one of the next 2 and we'll still be in an ok position given we'd have played the top 3 twice. Two would be awesome but my paranoia says Suarez wont be allowed to win at Old Trafford.

[Fernandinho]

You just know with it all to play for we will some how manage to throw it away, we always do... Not going to get my hopes up too much just yet.

[Craig_H]

That's the spirit!

[topscorer]

That's the spirit!

I hope your foresight is as accurate in Liverpool games as it was today with the Mancs

[Nicey]

I have been saying it for awhile now, our biggest competition for 4th is Newcastle, Chelsea are mentally weak, Arsenal are precariously balanced and ironically will have problems once there African Cup players come back, RVP does not score they lose.

We on the other hand with the exception of Bolton have been stready all season, getting slowly gradually better, Carrol finding his feat, Downing starting to put in solid performances, Jay Spearing holding the forth nicely, for all his distractors, Charlie Adam is contributing with some exceptional assists and passing at times, Hendo Solid, Kuyt finding form and Suarez back and rested, not the mention England Captian and Living Legend Steven Gerrard, back, healthy and I have to say looking every inch a club captain ... and I have not always said that about him

[destinydude]

Chelsea as much as they are mentally weak or whatever you say Nicey, are our real competition and not NUFC. New Castle are on a run of decent fixtures.

Their second round matches with City, Chelsea, us, Arsenal and Tottenham are yet to take place. If they maintain the level of consistency they have maintained so far then may be they will be a threat but I hope they self destruct.

We have only ourselves to help if we need that 4th place. As long as we keep dropping silly points we wont get it.

Like someone calculated yesterday, we need ~32/33 points from 15 games which is tough but if we go on a run of good wins, we can probably make it.

Personally I think we will fall short of it by 2-4 points. I hope I'm wrong.