
The
2017/18 Premier League fixtures have been announced, but which of the
leading title contenders has the toughest finish to the season?
We've ranked the top-six's run-ins using the last season's average positions
of their final six opponents, with newly-promoted Newcastle, Brighton and
Huddersfield taking 18th, 19th and 20th respectively.
Read on to find see how Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool,
Arsenal and Manchester United's final fixtures compare - from the easiest to
the toughest...
ARSENAL
Final six opponents: Southampton (h), Newcastle (a), West Ham (h),
Manchester United (a), Burnley (h), Huddersfield (a)
Average position of final six opponents: 13.2
Arsenal have the easiest run-in of the top-six sides, according to the
average positions of their final six opponents of the season. Arsene Wenger
is scheduled to take his side to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on
April 28, but the Gunners' other games look favourable. They finish the
season with a trip to newly-promoted Huddersfield Town.
CHELSEA
Final six opponents: West Ham (h), Southampton (a), Huddersfield (h),
Swansea (a), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a)
Average position of final six opponents: 12.7
Antonio Conte will be satisfied by Chelsea's run-in, with their only meeting
against a top-six opponent coming at home to Liverpool in the penultimate
game of the campaign. With the exception of Southampton, who finished eighth
last year, the champions' other opponents are either newly-promoted or sides
that finished in the bottom half of the table last season.
TOTTENHAM
Final six opponents: Stoke (a), Manchester City (h), Brighton (a), Watford
(h), West Brom (a), Leicester (h)
Average position of final six opponents: 12.3
Like Arsenal and Chelsea, Tottenham will only face a top-six opponent in one
of their final six games of the 2017/18 season. Mauricio Pochettino's side
are scheduled to host Manchester City at Wembley on April 14, but they round
off the campaign with what looks like a relatively kind run of games against
Brighton, Watford, West Brom and Leicester.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Final six opponents: Manchester City (a), West Brom (h), Bournemouth (a),
Arsenal (h), Brighton (a), Watford (h)
Average position of final six opponents: 10.5
Jose Mourinho's Manchester United travel to City and host Arsenal in their
last six games of 2017/18 - two games which could prove crucial in the
outcome of the title race. The rest of their final games are favourable,
however. They finish the campaign at home to Watford.
MANCHESTER CITY
Final six opponents: Manchester United (h), Tottenham (a), Swansea (h), West
Ham (a), Huddersfield (h), Southampton (a)
Average position of final six opponents: 10.3
Manchester City's run-in begins with tricky clashes against Manchester
United and Tottenham, while they must also travel to West Ham and
Southampton after that. Based on average positions from last season, it is
the second-toughest run-in of the top six sides.
LIVERPOOL
Final six opponents: Everton (a), Bournemouth (h), West Brom (a), Stoke (h),
Chelsea (a), Brighton (h)
Average position of final six opponents: 9.8
Liverpool have the trickiest run-in of the top six, according to the average
positions of their opponents. Their home games against Bournemouth, Stoke
and Brighton do not look too daunting, but their away trips are more
challenging. Jurgen Klopp must take his side to Merseyside rivals Everton,
West Brom and champions Chelsea. Their title hopes could depend on how they
manage that schedule.