Battle for Champions League qualification heats up

Cesc Fabregas fired the 'Blues' to a 1-0 victory over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium whilst Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City in the earlier league match on Saturday.

The results mean that the deficit between Chelsea (5th) and Liverpool (3rd) was cut to just six points with Antonio Conte's side enjoying a game-in-hand over their rivals as the season draws to its conclusion.

Tottenham are the other team to make up the top four, but could see themselves move within one point of the 'Reds' if they beat Watford on Monday. Although they too have a game-in-hand. 

It means with just a couple games left, the race for Champions League qualification is heating up, and could come down to the showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 6.

Jurgen Klopp's team have been understandably distracted by their progression in Europe's premier club competition, in which they face Roma in the second leg of their semi-final clash on the Wednesday before that important league game. 

However, if they aren't careful, they could find themselves missing out on qualification for the competition next season, especially given Chelsea's form in recent weeks.

Saturday's victory was the 'Blues' fourth in a row whilst Liverpool have suffered two consecutive draws to the league's two bottom clubs and therefore cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal in the league following Chelsea's resurgence.

RUN-INS:

Liverpool: Chelsea (A), Brighton (H).

Chelsea: Liverpool (H), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A).

Tottenham: Watford (H), West Brom (H), Newcastle (H), Leicester City (H).