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Antonio Conte can return Tottenham to the Champions League

Antonio Conte can return Tottenham to the Champions League
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In the last decade, Tottenham have become a regular feature in the Premier League’s top-four. Under former head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team from north London regularly finished in the Champions League spots.

However, Tottenham have now missed out on a top-four finish in the English top-flight for the last two seasons. The appointment of one of Europe’s elite head coaches in the shape of Antonio Conte has reignited Spurs challenge for the top-four spots.

Conte’s team currently sit fifth-place in the Premier League table, six points behind arch-rivals Arsenal, who occupy that all-important fourth spot in the table.

However, Tottenham have three games in hand on their local rival’s courtesy of several recent postponements. If they win their extra matches, then they will return to the league’s top-four.

It is not unrealistic to think that Spurs could win those games in hand, considering their recent form. A 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day means that Tottenham are unbeaten in six league matches, having recorded four wins in the process.

They have been in good form at both ends of the pitch in recent matches too, keeping four clean sheets and scoring at least two goals in five of the games in the run.

The recent return to scoring form of star striker Harry Kane could be ominous for the north London team. The England international has now scored in his last two league matches, having previously scored just once all season in the top-flight.

Kane’s return to form may be a big factor, but the presence of the serial winner Conte on the sidelines is what could decide if Spurs are playing in the Champions League next season or not.

Considering his history as a head coach, it would take a brave man to back against the Italian and his team returning to Europe’s elite competition next season.

Premier League
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
Arsenal 77 34 24 5 5 56
2
Manchester City 76 33 23 7 3 48
3
Liverpool 74 34 22 8 4 41
4
Aston Villa 66 34 20 6 8 21
5
Tottenham 60 32 18 6 8 16
6
Manchester United 53 33 16 5 12 1
7
Newcastle United 50 33 15 5 13 15
8
West Ham 48 34 13 9 12 -9
9
Chelsea 47 32 13 8 11 4
10
Bournemouth 45 34 12 9 13 -11
11
Brighton 44 33 11 11 11 -2
12
Wolverhampton 43 34 12 7 15 -8
13
Fulham 42 34 12 6 16 -4
14
Crystal Palace 39 34 10 9 15 -12
15
Brentford 35 34 9 8 17 -7
16
Everton 33 34 11 8 15 -12
17
Nottingham Forest 26 34 7 9 18 -18
18
Luton Town 25 34 6 7 21 -28
19
Burnley 23 34 5 8 21 -32
20
Sheffield United 16 34 3 7 24 -59

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