Premier League 2015/16: Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham - top four battles explained
The hangover of Leicester City being crowned Premier League champions is unlikely to subside until the end of the season and possibly beyond. The Foxes' achievement is going to leave a permanent mark in English football history – a game changer with regards to claims that only teams with money can win the league in the modern era. The entire cost of Claudio Ranieri's team was less than the amount Manchester City paid to sign Raheem Sterling from Liverpool.
The King Power Stadium outfit showed grit and determination throughout the campaign and absolutely shook off all the pressure from the regular top four sides Tottenham Hotpsur and Arsenal to win the title with two games to spare. It was an exciting race until it lasted with the white Hart Lane outfit the last team standing until they too were knocked out by defending champions Chelsea, whose only talking points this season will be their contribution to Leicester's triumph and Jose Mourinho's sacking, such has been their title defence.
Despite the title race having concluded, there is still much to look forward to in the final two weeks of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign. There are battles yet to be resolved in both halves of the table. The only two constants at the moment are Leicester – the champions and Aston Villa – relegated. There is still the battle for the top four between Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham United - the relegation battle between Sunderland, Newcastle United and Norwich City. IBTimes UK looks at the possibilities for all the teams involved ahead of the final two weekends before the end of the 2015/16 season.
Top Four Race
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
| 3 |
| 36 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 59 | 34 | 25 | 67 | |
| 4 |
| 36 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 68 | 38 | 30 | 64 | |
| 5 |
| 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 31 | 12 | 60 | |
| 6 |
| 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 60 | 43 | 17 | 59 |
Arsenal - Manchester City - A ( 8 May), Aston Villa - H (15 May)
Arsenal have two fixtures remaining unlike two of their rivals United and West Ham, who have a game in hand. The Gunners have it all in their hands. A win at the Etihad Stadium will guarantee them the third place, while a draw will almost guarantee them a place in the top four, but they will need to get at least a point in their final home game against the Villans.
A loss will push them back to the fourth place owing to City's superior goal difference, and they will need all three points in their final game to guarantee a place in the top four if United win all of their remaining games.
Manchester City - Arsenal - H ( 8 May), Swansea City - A (15 May)
Manchester City also have only two fixtures remaining and need to win both to guarantee themselves a place in the top four ahead of arch rivals United. A loss against Arsenal and wins for the teams below them will take the fight to the final weekend of the season and a big chance of them missing out on a place in next season's Champions League as the two teams below have a game in hand.
Manchester United - Norwich City - A (7 May), West Ham United - A (10 May), Bournemouth - H (15 May)
The Red Devils need to win all their games to have a chance of qualifying for the top four. Apart from hoping for misfortune for the teams above them, the most crucial game for them is the one in hand, which is against top four rivals West Ham United. A draw will suit their Etihad Stadium rivals, but will hamper two teams in the fifth and sixth place going into the final weekend of the competition.
West Ham United - Swansea City - H (7 May), Manchester United - H (10 May), Stoke City - A (15 May)
The Hammers are the least likely of the four teams to qualify for the Champions League next season, a feat they are keen to achieve before moving into the Olympic Stadium, which will be their home from the 2016/17 season onwards. Slaven Bilic's team need to win all their games and hope Manchester City lose or draw both their remaining games, while Manchester United also suffer the same fate in their remaining fixtures, one of which is at the Boleyn Ground, the final game before their move.
The Relegation Battle
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
| 17 |
| 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 39 | 64 | -25 | 33 | |
| 18 |
| 35 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 40 | 58 | -18 | 32 | |
| 19 |
| 35 | 8 | 7 | 20 | 35 | 61 | -26 | 31 | |
| 20 |
| 36 | 3 | 7 | 26 | 27 | 72 | -45 | 16 |
Newcastle United - Aston Villa - A (7 May), Tottenham Hotspur - H (15 May)
The Magpies clawed their way out of the relegation places with a win over Crystal Palace last weekend (30 April), but are still just one and two points ahead of arch rivals Sunderland and Norwich City, who are in the 18th and 19th places respectively. The duo behind Newcastle have a game in hand and can overtake the St James's Park outfit with wins in all of them. Rafael Benitez's team need to win both their games, and hope both the teams behind them lose at least one to have a chance of remaining in the Premier League next season.
Sunderland - Chelsea - H (7 May), Everton - H (11 May), Watford - A (15 May)
If the Black Cats win all their remaining games they will be guaranteed Premier League safety ahead of Newcastle and Norwich. If Newcastle lose one of their remaining two, Sam Allardyce's team can overtake them with just two wins, but will be in danger of being relegated if Norwich win all their remaining games. Only wins in all games will absolutely guarantee another season in the top-flight.
Norwich City - Manchester United - H (7 May), Watford - H (11 May), Everton - A (15 May)
Norwich City have to win all their remaining games and hope for Sunderland to lose or draw one of their games. It is their only chance of securing Premier League safety.
Watford and Everton, who are safe, will play a crucial role in deciding the relegation battle as both the teams play Sunderland and Norwich in the final weekends of the campaign.
But the most anticipated clash in the coming week will be between West Ham United and Manchester United, as it will be the last clash at the Boleyn Ground, while also being significant in the race for the top four.
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