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Football London

Sport

Jake Stokes

Chelsea's next six Premier League fixtures compared to Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal

Chelsea EPL Arsenal Liverpool Thomas Tuchel UEFA Champions League West Ham Edouard Mendy Frank Lampard Everton

Chelsea faces an important end to the season as the Blues look to close the gap with runaway leaders, Liverpool and Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel's side currently sits third in the Premier League, but the battle for Champions League football is far from over.

Arsenal are now eight points behind the Blues and sit fifth following their loss to Brighton, although Tottenham, who sit fourth, are five points off of Chelsea but have played one game more. Behind the North London duo, West Ham and Manchester United sit sixth and seventh, respectively.

Following the west London side's defeat to City earlier in January and several draws along the way, Tuchel's side has created a one-team league of their own for the bronze medal. Though, many of Chelsea's final games are against a side's eager to either secure Champions League football or safety from relegation. With that in mind, football.london compares Chelsea's next six Premier League fixtures to their rivals.

Arsenal (H) - April 20

Chelsea walked away two-nil victors from the last meeting with Arsenal, and the Blues' free-flowing football quickly saw Thomas Tuchel's side become a contender to win the Premier League. Romelu Lukaku stole the limelight, and it looked as if the Belgian was the final piece of the puzzle.

However, since then, the west Londoners haven't enjoyed as much success as initially anticipated despite what has still been a very good campaign. Mikel Arteta's side, who were struggling for form in the reverse bout, have since come on leaps and bounds and likely put up a good fight.

West Ham (H) - April 24

Close, but not close enough. Chelsea lost 3-2 last time out to the Hammers after a mistake from Edouard Mendy handed David Moyes' side a penalty to open their account.

Despite having often been Tuchel's saving grace, the Senegal international fell victim to another lapse of judgement. Mendy was left helpless after Arthur Masuaku snuck in an effort to give West Ham the three points at the near post.

Everton (A) - May 1

When Chelsea last faced Everton, Rafa Benitez was in the dugout. Now, it's all-time Blues top goal scorer Frank Lampard.

Last time out, Tuchel's side enjoyed 81 per cent possession and peppered the Toffees' goal. But with Lampard, a possession and pressing-focused boss, Chelsea can expect to see possession in more dangerous areas of the pitch.

Wolves (H) - May 7

Another side that Chelsea failed to snatch three points from. Tuchel's side was held to a goalless draw at Molineux last time out, although it was that game after Covid struck.

The Blues were down to their bare bones and had just four outfield players on the bench. Daniel Podence, who loves a game against Chelsea, proved a threat as ever and will likely be someone to look out for again.

Leeds United (A) - May 11

Goals, goals and even more goals. The floodgates have always opened in recent times when Chelsea and Leeds have met; last time out, Jorginho secured the Blues three crucial points with a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time.

Marcelo Bielsa has since moved on, and Jesse Marsch is now in charge. The American boss has seemingly rejuvenated Leeds' hopes of survival in the Premier League, though they face City and Arsenal before Chelsea, which could prove incredibly telling.

Leicester City (H) - May 19

FA Cup final redemption, take two. Chelsea smothered Leicester City 3-0 when the two sides met in November, thanks to goals from Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic.

While the 2021 FA Cup final is far from raw anymore, the Blues will likely be looking to pile on the misery in the running to secure Champions League football. The Foxes struggled against opposition rallying for Champions League football this season with losses to Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs since the turn of the new year.