State of play as the Premier League approaches its finale?

The Premier League season is fast approaching its finale, with less than a month of the campaign remaining.

Issues at the bottom of the table are still to be dealt with; Sunderland are all but gone, Middlesbrough are six points from safety and set to join them while Hull and Swansea are scrapping for their lives.

But it is at the top of the table, and in particular the race for the top four, that is catching the eye.

Chelsea and Tottenham have made the top two spots their own, with the Blues big favourites to be crowned champions.

But just below that duo, four sides are doing battle for the remaining two spots - Liverpool, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs.

Ahead of the weekend action, here's a look at the state of play among the top six....

1st. Chelsea

Played: 33

Points: 78

Remaining games: Everton (A), Middlesbrough (H), West Brom (A), Watford (H), Sunderland (H)

Antonio Conte’s men are - barring the most remarkable and barely believable set of results - guaranteed to finish in the top four.

The only question for the Blues is whether they land a second Premier League title in three years.

Ahead of a difficult trip to Goodison Park, they hold a four point advantage over second place. They’ll expect to do enough from three winnable home matches and a West Brom side who already look on the beach, to claim the championship.

Eden Hazard is in excellent form, Diego Costa rediscovered his shooting boots in mid-week and they look a side who knows exactly what is expected; little wonder they are 1-10 to claim the crown.

2nd. Tottenham

Played: 33

Points: 74

Remaining games: Arsenal (H), West Ham (A), Manchester United (H), Leicester (A), Hull (A)

Mauricio Pochettino’s men kept their title hopes alive with a midweek win at Crystal Palace, but it’s going to take one hell of an effort to pip Chelsea from here.

The Blues have much the easier run in than their London rivals, who still host both Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as travelling to London rivals West Ham, last season’s champions Leicester and Marco Silva’s Hull - unbeaten at the KCOM under the Portuguese.

The Argentine will ensure his side go full pelt until the end however, and on the back of eight straight league wins, the league’s most consistent side still have a chance.

As for the top four, like Chelsea, they’re a guarantee bar something remarkable.

3rd. Liverpool

Played: 34

Points: 66

Remaining games: Watford (A), Southampton (H), West Ham (A), Middlesbrough (H)

As 2016 turned into 2017, Jurgen Klopp’s men were very much involved in the title hunt, having lost just two league fixtures ahead of the New Year.

But the Reds’ miserable January-February - which saw them win just two games out of 12 in all competitions and saw them pick up just six points from a possible 21 - effectively ended their title hopes.

They had been on a good run throughout March and April, but the home loss to Crystal Palace only showcased their fragility once more, with questions remaining over their inability to both kill off and keep out opponents.

The Merseysiders have points in the bag and a reasonable run in; do they have the staying power?

4th. Manchester City

Played: 33

Points: 65

Remaining games: Middlesbrough (A), Crystal Palace (H), Leicester (H), West Brom (H), Watford (A)

Having seen his side hold City to a 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby, Jose Mourinho was in no doubt that Pep Guardiola's men will finish the season in the top four.

And given their run in - with three matches at home and away days against a Middlesbrough side looking at an immediate return to the Championship and inconsistent Watford - City look ready to claim one of the four spots.

The season hasn't quite gone to plan, with Guardiola's men expected to be title challengers. When they've been good, they've been very good. But their defensive achilles heel continues to cause problems.

It's one of the eldest sides in the league - despite containing the likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. It knows the terrain and how to get the job done. Has it got one last job left, ahead of the Catalan's continued overhaul this summer?

5th. Manchester United

Played: 33

Points: 64

Remaining games: Swansea (H), Arsenal (A), Tottenham (A), Southampton (A), Crystal Palace (H)

For the last month or so, Jose Mourinho has been deliberating over whether to keep his eggs spread or put them all in the Europa League basket.

Winning European football's secondary competition will earn United a seat at the top table next term, and, right now, continental success looks their best bet.

Currently sitting fifth, back-to-back away games at both Arsenal and Tottenham will decide their fate.

Without the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata - their two top scorers this term - the top seven's lowest goalscorers look likely to miss out - despite being in the midst of a 24-game unbeaten run.

6th. Arsenal

Played: 32

Points: 60

Remaining games: Tottenham (A), Manchester United (H), Southampton (A), Stoke (A), Sunderland (H), Everton (H)

The team that always finish in the top four, no matter what, now are in danger of dropping below that marker for the first time since Arsene Wenger arrived at Highbury in 1996.

The Gunners have won three on the bounce - against Middlesbrough and Leicester in the league, Man City in the FA Cup semi-final - since their disastrous run that saw seven defeats in 12 in all competitions, and did severe damage to their Champions League hopes.

Wenger’s men will need to be at something like their very, very best, if they’re to claim a seat at Europe’s top table again next season. With more games left than any of their rivals it remains in their own hands, but the next two fixtures are crucial: Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and Manchester United at the Emirates.

Premier League table - Top 6

	Played	Points	Goal difference
Chelsea	33	78	+40
Tottenham	33	74	+47
Liverpool	34	66	+28
Manchester City	33	65	+28
Manchester United	33	64	+26
Arsenal	32	60	+24