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Chelsea are firmly in the Premier League title race conversation after a slip-up from Manchester City - while their next five games could prove crucial to catching Arsenal.
Chelsea have put themselves in the frame as contenders for the Premier League title - after taking second place in the division. The Blues picked up a 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, extending their run of form to four wins in the last five Premier League outings.
Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez secured all three points at Turf Moor in an end-to-end encounter that saw plenty of chances for both teams. It was a victory which propelled them into second spot, three points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game-in-hand in the North London Derby on Sunday.
The day was made that bit sweeter for Enzo Maresca as Man City fell to a defeat at Newcastle later in the day, ensuring that Chelsea retained their place as the nearest contenders to the top. With Liverpool also falling to defeat on Saturday, it underlines just how many more twists and turns could be in store during the remainder of the season.
Maresca will be keen to have his side as close as possible to the top by the time the run-in starts next year, with the next few weeks setting up an interesting dynamic in the title race. Eyes will naturally drift to the fact that Chelsea have Arsenal next week in a clash between the top two that will have a huge bearing on the way the table shapes up.
So, with that said, football.london takes a look at how Chelsea's upcoming fixture list compares to their rivals in the Premier League title race;
Chelsea's next five Premier League fixtures
Arsenal (H) - November 30
Leeds United (A) - December 3
Bournemouth (A) - December 6
Everton (H) - December 13
Newcastle United (A) - December 20
Chelsea's upcoming run of fixtures offers up an opportunity, as much as it presents a possible threat in any possible title bid they may launch. The Blues face Arsenal, where they could close the gap at the top, before two tough trips to Leeds and Bournemouth in quick succession.
Everton and Newcastle await before Christmas, which could prove tricky fixtures in their own right. If Chelsea can manage to pick up maximum points from this run of games, then they will certainly be in the title picture and with some momentum to take forward with them, too.
Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures
Tottenham (H) - November 23
Chelsea (A) - November 30
Brentford (H) - December 3
Aston Villa (A) - December 6
Wolves (H) - December 13
Arsenal have a game-in-hand at the top of the standings and an opportunity to extend their lead at the top to six points, but they don't have an easy run ahead. Two London rivalries are reignited - against Tottenham and Chelsea - which often throws form out of the window.
The Gunners then have to contend with Brentford and Aston Villa, who have caused plenty of problems for teams this season, before facing relegation-threatened Wolves.
Man City's next five Premier League fixtures
Leeds United (H) - November 29
Fulham (A) - December 2
Sunderland (H) - December 6
Crystal Palace (A) - December 14
West Ham (H) - December 20
Man City appear to have the most favourable run ahead, with three relegation-threatened teams awaiting them. That's not to say that it'll be easy, however, with the Premier League capable of throwing up plenty of surprises.
Liverpool's next five Premier League fixtures
West Ham (A) - November 30
Sunderland (H) - December 3
Leeds United (A) - December 6
Brighton (H) - December 13
Tottenham (A) - December 20
Liverpool will require an almighty comeback to win the Premier League title this season, with Arne Slot struggling to find answers to the problems teams are giving him. There's plenty of quality in that squad and, with a favourable run ahead, they could pick up some better form.
However, they need to find some consistency in performances - and quickly - otherwise they risk missing out on more than just the title.
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