Premier League side Liverpool are on course to make automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League at the end of the season.

There were worries that Liverpool would flunk their chances, considering Arsenal are perennial top four side.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are competing to join Chelsea and Spurs in the top four at the end of the season.

Liverpool have not been consistent this term. They have continued in that fashion until now: defeating Everton before playing a draw at home with Bournemouth. The Reds would face West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Watford, Southampton, West Ham United and Middlesbrough. The fixtures seem to favour them as they mostly have nothing to fight for.

Arsenal that used to get results in this stage of the season are also losing games. The 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace leaves then seven points from the top four. There are forthcoming games against Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Spurs, Man United, Stoke, Everton and Southampton. There are no guarantees that Arsene Wenger’s men would get the results in these games – something that would lead to an increased disapproval rating.

Man City face a strip to St Mary’s, then play the Manchester derby, before a trip to Middlesbrough. Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Watford and West Brom follow. The fixtures seem favourable to City and for a side that shock fans less; they are the favourites to land the third place.

Liverpool’s defence would play a major factor as the season winds down. Since the days of Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher, the Kops have struggled with a good backline. In the attack, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino had to manage their pains in the game against Stoke City. Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson are injured and they might need time to regain full fitness while Sadio Mane has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Despite all of these, Jurgen Klopp’s men seem to have the advantage over the Gunners in taking the fourth spot.