Manchester United’s emphatic 3-0 victory at Everton last weekend moved them to within six points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with 25 games remaining.
While mounting a title challenge may be too much to ask given their early season inconsistencies, it is not unreasonable to imagine the Red Devils pushing for a top-four finish.
If you are inclined towards sports betting, odds of 5/1 for United to achieve the feat may look pretty tempting given they finally appear to have hit form in the English top flight.
Whether you are an avid fan or a sports bettor aiming to earn some cash, accessing the list of the most accurate football predictions will help to shape your thoughts on United’s top four hopes.
With that in mind, we take a closer look at their potential route to fourth place or above, starting with what promises to be a hectic period of games in December.
Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa should be tasty
The fixture list has not been kind to Man United in December, with most of their seven games scheduled during the month having the potential to be tricky.
They kick things off with a visit to Newcastle United before welcoming Chelsea and Bournemouth for back-to-back home matches at Old Trafford.
Away matches at Liverpool and West Ham United will be tough tests, while the Boxing Day home game against Aston Villa could be a festive cracker.
Villa have improved massively since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager and are one of the biggest threats to United’s hopes of finishing in the top four.
The Red Devils round off the year with a visit to Nottingham Forest and will be eager to be in contention for a top-four finish at the end of that run.
All roads lead to the Manchester derby in March
The fixtures during the first three months of 2024 undoubtedly give United opportunities to put plenty of points on the board.
Games against Tottenham Hotspur (H) and Villa (A) are their toughest tests, but the rest of the matches look extremely winnable on paper.
United will be desperate to be in good form by the time March comes around, with a trip to neighbours Manchester City awaiting them on the opening weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side triumphed 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the end of October and will be big favourites to complete the double at the Etihad Stadium.
A draw would not be the worst result for United and would give them a useful platform to kick on for the final push over their remaining fixtures.
Big home games could fire United over the line
Six of United’s final 11 matches are at Old Trafford and three of them stand out as potentially pivotal to their hopes of a top-four finish.
Liverpool’s visit on the first weekend in April is guaranteed to produce fireworks and will be a game which could impact each team’s hopes of finishing the season with a flourish.
The Red Devils can blow a hole in Newcastle’s top-four hopes later the same month when they visit Old Trafford, and a win there could be the difference between success and failure.
The toughest test in their final four matches is at home to Arsenal on May 11 – a game which could be crucial to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Having had their expectations raised with United’s improved run of form in recent weeks, fans will be keen to see the team continue that momentum for the rest of the campaign.
Prediction: There will likely be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season, but United should have enough about them to at least finish fourth. Maintaining consistency will be the key.
