Chelsea can tighten their grip on Champions League qualification this weekend with a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Although the Blues are still in a very strong position to qualify, their poor performance in the 1-0 defeat to Everton last time out means that they've been clawed back into the race for Champions League football. Arsenal are now just three points behind Thomas Tuchel's side with four games to play, whilst Tottenham Hotspur are five away.
Chelsea can take comfort from the fact that the North London Derby is on Thursday [May 12], meaning at least one of Arsenal or Spurs are going to drop points. However, before then, there are some important games for the three sides to navigate in the Premier League.
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With that in mind, football.london takes a look at the best and worst-case scenarios for Chelsea in this weekend's Champions League battle.
Best-case scenario
Chelsea vs Wolves - HOME WIN
Liverpool vs Tottenham - HOME WIN
Arsenal vs Leeds United - AWAY WIN
If both Tottenham and Arsenal lose this weekend and Chelsea win, they will be on 69 points - eight clear of Spurs and six ahead of the Gunners. With the two set to play each other, you'd have to expect that this scenario would make it nigh impossible for the Blues to drop out of the top four - in fact, it would probably even solidify their third-place position.
It's entirely possible too. Although Wolves are battling for a place in Europe, Arsenal's opponents Leeds are fighting for their lives, whilst Tottenham realistically need to come away with a win at Anfield against a team that are on the hunt for a quadruple. Stranger things have ultimately happened.
Worst-case scenario
Chelsea vs Wolves - AWAY WIN
Liverpool vs Tottenham - AWAY WIN
Arsenal vs Leeds United - HOME WIN
Alternatively, if Chelsea fail to take anything from the game against Wolves, whilst Tottenham and Arsenal beat their respective opposition, the Blues would lose their grip on third place. Mikel Arteta's outfit would be level on 66 points going into Thursday's North London Derby. Meanwhile, Spurs would trail Tuchel's men by just two points and the pressure would be very much on the Blues moving forward.
