While the 2018-19 Premier League title race has now become simply a two-way fight between Liverpool and Manchester City, the battle for a top-four finish and lucrative Champions League qualification is becoming an increasingly intriguing and crowded affair.
None of Arsenal, Manchester United or embattled Chelsea lost ground on a busy Wednesday night as all three sides claimed comfortable victories over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Tottenham respectively.
Spurs' surprisingly meek 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge - which came just four days after a surprise defeat by Burnley - in which they failed to register a single shot on target for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino ended any lingering hopes of a first top-flight title since 1961.
More than that, it may have started some fans worrying that even a top-four finish might be in jeopardy if this recent slump continues, with Tottenham now only five points ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's resurgent United and four in front of north London rivals Arsenal, whom they entertain at Wembley on Saturday.
Standard Sport looks at the key fixtures that remain in the battle for a top-four finish...
Tottenham vs Arsenal - March 2
Tottenham will be desperate to bounce back from those damaging back-to-back defeats and keep the Gunners - looking to hop back on the Champions League gravy train under Unai Emery after a costly two-year absence - at arm's length.
Another high-profile loss could send them spiralling, while Arsenal - current holders of fourth spot - are back in good form and hit five past Bournemouth.
Arsenal vs Manchester United - March 10
Perhaps the most pivotal clash remaining in the top-four race, this could have sizable ramifications for both teams, with Solskjaer looking to land the United job on a permanent basis.
If Arsenal manage to beat both Tottenham and United, then fourth place could be effectively sewn up as long as they do not drop too many points elsewhere.
Manchester United vs Chelsea - April 28
The third to last game of the season for both clubs and one that follows hot on the heels of a Manchester derby for United.
Predicting the situation Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri may find themselves in tomorrow has been a bit of a struggle of late, let alone two months down the line.
Those are the only fixtures remaining between the teams embroiled in the battle for Champions League qualification, but it is certainly worth noting that midweek Manchester derby which takes place on April 24 at Old Trafford and the fact that Chelsea visit Anfield to face Liverpool 10 days before that on April 14.
Tottenham still have away games to play against both of their former title rivals, with their own trip to Merseyside on March 31 followed by a visit to City's Etihad Stadium on April 20.
EPL Table | How things stand
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Liverpool | 28 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 49 | 69 |
| 2 | Man City | 28 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 55 | 68 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 28 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 60 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 28 | 17 | 5 | 6 | 22 | 56 |
| 5 | Man Utd | 28 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 55 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 27 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 53 |
Here is a full list of the remaining matches on the slate for all four teams jostling for top-four recognition...
| Gameweek | Tottenham | Arsenal | Man Utd | Chelsea |
| 28 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
BHA (H) date TBC |
| 29 |
ARS (H) Mar 2 |
TOT (A) Mar 2 |
SOU (H) Mar 2 |
FUL (A) Mar 3 |
| 30 |
SOU (A) Mar 9 |
MAN U (H) Mar 10 |
ARS (A) Mar 10 |
WOL (H) Mar 10 |
| 31 |
PAL (H) date TBC |
WOL (A) date TBC |
MAN C (H) date TBC |
EVE (A) Mar 17 |
| 32 |
LIV (A) Mar 31 |
NEW (H) Apr 1 |
WAT (H) Mar 30 |
CAR (A) Mar 31 |
| 33 |
BHA (H) Apr 7 |
EVE (A) Apr 7 |
WOL (A) Apr 2 |
WHU (H) Apr 8 |
| 34 |
HUD (H) Apr 13 |
WAT (A) Apr 15 |
WHU (H) Apr 13 |
LIV (A) Apr 14 |
| 35 |
MAN C (A) Apr 20 |
PAL (H) Apr 20 |
EVE (A) Apr 21 |
BURN (H) Apr 22 |
| 36 |
WHU (H) Apr 27 |
LEI (A) Apr 29 |
CHE (H) Apr 28 |
MAN U (A) Apr 28 |
| 37 |
AFCB (A) May 4 |
BHA (H) May 4 |
HUD (A) May 4 |
WAT (H) May 4 |
| 38 |
EVE (H) May 12 |
BURN (A) May 12 |
CAR (H) May 12 |
LEI (A) May 12 |
