Four Chelsea games will make or break Champions League hopes as Liam Rosenior sack stance clear

Chelsea have some difficult fixtures after the international break, but qualification to the UEFA Champions League remains well within reach.

Chelsea have fallen behind in the race for a place in the Champions League next season, and Liam Rosenior is under pressure to turn things around after the international break. The Blues are in grave danger of failing to qualify for Europe's top-flight competition, with six points separating them from Aston Villa in fourth.

Fortunately for the west Londoners, Liverpool are only a point ahead in fifth, which could be enough so long as England remain top of the UEFA coefficient at the end of the campaign. Although Rosenior's future doesn't necessarily hinge on whether Chelsea qualify for the Champions League, football.london understands, he'll be expected to do so by the supporters.

The 41-year-old has fallen out of favour among sections of the fanbase following a difficult couple of weeks. Rosenior will, however, quickly win back the trust of those in the stands if he can lead the Blues up the table.

So, with that being said, football.london has looked at the four Premier League games that Chelsea need to win in order to stand the best chance of qualifying for Europe's top-flight competition next season.

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Manchester City (H) – Premier League – April 12

Chelsea have won just two of their last seven Premier League games and have lost each of their last four matches across all competitions, so it's imperative that they return to winning ways after the international break. A statement win over Manchester City would give everyone at the club a much-needed boost ahead of the run-in.

Manchester United (H) – Premier League – April 18

Fortunately for the Blues, they're also at home when they face Manchester United. Chelsea have won each of their last two meetings with the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge, and are unbeaten in five.

If Rosenior can take points from Michael Carrick and slash United's lead, the west Londoners would be well-positioned to qualify for the Champions League, so long as they also beat Brighton at the Amex Stadium the following week.

Liverpool (A) – Premier League – May 9

After clashes against the Seagulls on the south coast and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Chelsea will lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield. This could be the season-defining game for the Blues, with so little separating the two sides.

Rosenior will need to pull a rabbit out the hat, though. The west Londoners haven't beaten the Reds in their own backyard since March 2021, when Mason Mount scored the only goal in a behind-closed-doors fixture.

Tottenham Hotspur (H) – Premier League – May 17

The Battle of the Bridge on the penultimate day of the season. Not only will Tottenham Hotspur be desperate to keep a place in the Premier League, but they'll also be determined to derail Chelsea's chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

It'll be a tasty fixture which will set the mood for the final day of the campaign. If the Blues can head to the Stadium of Light with a skip in their step the following week, they'll be in a great position to end on a high.