Manchester United head into their last Premier League eight games of the season, knowing their top four hopes is full in their hands.
Currently, three teams are in the race for the fourth spot. Manchester City, West Ham and United.
As It stands:
Pos Club P GD Pts
4 Man City 30 20 51
5 West Ham 30 12 50
6 Man Utd 30 11 50
Manchester City leads the pack with one point, while West Ham are edging United out on goal difference.
Here are few reasons why United should be favorites:
1. Seemingly easy Fixture list
All teams have eight games more, and a look at these fixture suggests that United have the least difficult of the three. At least on paper.
Man United fixtures for April
Man United v Everton
Tottenham v Man United
Man United v Aston Villa
Man United v Crystal Palace
West Ham fixtures for April
West Ham v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Arsenal
Leicester v West Ham
West Ham v Watford
West Brom v West Ham
Man City fixtures for April
Bournemouth v Man City
Paris St G v Man City
Man City v West Brom
Man City v Paris St G
Chelsea v Man City
Newcastle v Man City
Man City v Stoke
Breakdown:
Four of Manchester United's April fixtures are at home, compared to West Ham that have only three home games and Manchester City's two.
Tottenham away is Manchester United's fixture in April against a top ten side, compared to West Ham that have two back to back games against Arsenal and Leicester City. Manchester City on their path face only Stoke City as their top ten opposition, but the away game at Chelsea is also a huge one.
City to their disadvantage in the top four race are still in the Champions League, and have two extra games against PSG.
United and West Ham still have scores to settle in their FA Cup replay at Upton park. One team is sure to qualify to face Everton in the semifinals.
The fixture in May looks like this:
Man City fixtures in May
Southampton v Man City
Man City v Arsenal
Swansea v Man City
West Ham fixtures in May
West Ham v Swansea
West Ham v Man Utd
Stoke v West Ham
Manchester United fixtures in May
Man Utd v Leicester
Norwich v Man Utd
West Ham v Man Utd
Man Utd v Bournemouth
Heading into May, the fixture looks a little hard on United, and the home game against Leicester and away game at West Ham would have a huge say.
Manchester City still have two seemingly tough matches against Southampton and Arsenal. While West Ham games against Stoke and Swansea are potential banana peels.
In all United need consistency and doggedness. United have the easiest run of fixture among the three in April, and must make maximum use of it.
2. Players coming back
One of United's greatest Achilles this season has been injuries. Many key players in vital positions have suffered injuries. The most recent with impact is Wayne Rooney.
But in April, United will have a lot of these players back. The return of Wayne Rooney to the side should be a big boost to the side.
The United captain was reported to have given an highly effective motivational speech to the players before the Manchester derby. And his teammates didn't disappoint.
Hopefully his return to the side will breathe some more life and vitality to aid the team's top four drive.
City will be missing Vincent Kompany for up to a month, and that could cost them a lot. Recently the Citizens have struggled for goals, and a leaking defence is the least thing they need.
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