Manchester United missed out on the opportunity to reduce the gap on the top-four to just a single point after being beaten 1-0 by Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
Midfielder Joao Moutinho's 82nd minute effort was enough to clinch all three points for Wolves and condemn United to their first defeat under the stewardship of interim Ralf Rangnick.
Although the scoreline suggested that it was a close fought battle in United's first outing of 2022, they were, in truth, outclassed by their Midlands counterparts, with Wolves producing an excellent away performance that was fully worthy of maximum points.
United's first defeat since sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November meant that they missed the chance to move within a point of fourth-placed Arsenal. However, they still have a game in-hand on Mikel Arteta's side.
But with just seven points now separating Arsenal in fourth place and Wolves in eighth, the battle to finish in the top-four this season is threatening to go right down to the wire.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United's and their closest rivals' next six Premier League fixtures.
Manchester United - 7th (31pts)
Although United's results have improved since sacking Solskjaer in November, they are only two points closer to the top-four than what they were at the time of his sacking.
Victories over the likes of Crystal Palace and Burnley have bolstered United's top-four prospects, but their tally of just one point from tussles with Newcastle United and Wolves has derailed their momentum.
Once this weekend's FA Cup third-round fixtures are out of the way, United will resume their league campaign with a trip to Aston Villa, before welcoming top-four rivals West Ham United to Old Trafford a week later.
United then lock horns with Burnley at Turf Moor on February 8, meaning their next two away games are against sides beneath them in the table. After making the short trip to Burnley, United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on February 12, with a trip to arch rivals Leeds United penciled in the diary a week later.
United's run of their next six Premier League games concludes with a home game against Watford.
United's next six Premier League fixtures:
Aston Villa (A)
West Ham United (H)
Burnley (A)
Southampton (H)
Leeds United (A)
Watford (H)
Arsenal - 4th (35pts)
Despite being beaten 2-1 by Manchester City on New Year's Day, Arsenal did enough to provide their supporters with plenty of evidence that they can lead the chase for the final UEFA Champions League spot this season, with their performance featuring plenty of positives.
After starting the season with three straight defeats, Arsenal have refused to look back, enjoying a series of good results and performances as the season has developed.
But the Gunners' clash with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on January 16 could play a key role in the outcome of the top-four battle. However, beyond that, the Gunners' upcoming fixture schedule appears to be kind, if the Premier League does offer such a thing.
After facing Spurs, Arsenal welcome Burnley to the Emirates Stadium in their final game of January, before kicking-off February against Wolves at Molineux.
Arsenal then welcome Brentford to the Emirates, before travelling to Vicarage Road to face Watford and then facing Leicester City on March 12 in north London.
Arsenal's next six Premier League fixtures:
Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Burnley (H)
Wolves (A)
Brentford (H)
Watford (A)
Leicester City (H)
West Ham United - 5th (34pts)
Following a run of three successive defeats in league and cup, West Ham found their feet again over Christmas and New Year, registering back-to-back away wins to put them back within touching distance of Arsenal.
David Moyes' side cruised past Watford, securing a 4-1 triumph, before beating Crystal Palace 3-2 four days later.
Like Arsenal's upcoming fixture list, the Hammers' also presents opportunities to get points on the board in threes, with all six of their next six games against sides below them in the table as things stand, even though one of them is against United.
Back-to-back home games against relegation-threatened Norwich City represents a good opportunity to get six points on the board, whilst the clash at home to Watford on February 8, following their visit to Old Trafford, is also another great opportunity to add to their points tally.
A trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on February 13 will represent a stern challenge, but the Hammers will be targeting three points from Newcastle's visit to the London Stadium.
West Ham's next six Premier League fixtures:
Norwich City (H)
Leeds United (H)
Manchester United (A)
Watford (H)
Leicester City (A)
Newcastle United (H)
Tottenham Hotspur - 6th (33pts)
Arguably in the in-form team in the quest to finish in the top-four, Tottenham have taken 18 points from 24 on offer since Antonio Conte took charge in November.
They have won four of their last five home games and have threatened to move above Arsenal in recent weeks, with their form going from strength-to-strength.
However, their next six fixtures could determine how their campaign maps out, with some stern battles right around the corner. After facing Arsenal in the north London derby, Spurs travel to Chelsea on January 23, before welcoming Southampton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their first outing of February.
Wolves will then visit north London ahead of Spurs locking horns with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. A trip to Leeds United on February 26 concludes Spurs' set of next league matches.
Tottenham's next six Premier League fixtures:
Arsenal (H)
Chelsea (A)
Southampton (H)
Wolves (H)
Manchester City (A)
Leeds United (A)
Wolves - 8th (28pts)
Although seven points currently stand between themselves and fourth as things stand, Wolves have found a turn of form in recent weeks, taking seven points from their last three games without conceding a goal.
Their win over United provided proof that they can be a force to be reckoned with when performing to their full potential, meaning they should be considered in the top-four race.
After facing Sheffield United in the FA Cup this weekend, Wolves resume their Premier League schedule at home to Southampton, before facing Brentford away from home and Arsenal at home.
As part of a north London double-header, Wolves then visit Tottenham on February 13, before welcoming Midlands rivals Leicester to Molineux on February 20.
Wolves conclude their February schedule with a tough-looking trip to West Ham, meaning three of their next six matches are against sides currently pursuing the final top-four berth.
Wolves' next six Premier League fixtures:
Southampton (H)
Brentford (A)
Arsenal (H)
Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Leicester City (H)
West Ham United (A)
We've teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to nominate their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Nominate the match that mattered to you here .
