Premier League Week 5 Predictions: Clubs That Will Strengthen Top-4 Push

If you ain't fourth, you're last.

That might as well be the mantra of the Premier League. Sure winning the title is great and all, but the difference between being first and second is far less than the gap between fourth and fifth.

Teams in the top four get the riches and spotlight that come with playing in the Champions League. Meanwhile, the fifth-placed team is like the kid who watches his mom and dad shower his brother with lavish Christmas gifts, only to himself receive socks and underwear.

With the managerial changes and summer transfers, the race for the top four is as open as it's been in quite a while. Six teams all have a shot at qualifying for the Champions League, so each week it's interesting to see who has gained ground and who has dropped points.

Here are four clubs who will get three points to fuel their push into the top four.

Liverpool

The Reds have had one of their best starts in years. Even a draw with Swansea couldn't put a damper on being top of the league and taking 10 out of a possible 12 points.

Southampton caused Liverpool problems last year and beat them 3-1 at St Mary's Stadium. The Saints won't be springing any surprises this season. Brendan Rodgers will make sure his players think back to that loss long and hard.

The loss of Philippe Coutinho shouldn't play a huge part. Rodgers can just continue playing Iago Aspas in behind the striker, which has worked very well for Liverpool. Victor Moses can also be put out on the left to give the club a steady playmaker down the flank. The attack should be just fine.

Liverpool 2, Southampton 0

Manchester City

Vincent Kompany's return to the Manchester City first team couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The City defense was looking very shaky, and Manuel Pellegrini was forced to play Javi Garcia at centre-back.

But now Kompany is back, and he had the win against Newcastle to get back into the swing of things. He'll be plenty prepared for the Manchester Derby. His presence will be huge, as Pellegrini will likely try to grind out a result.

If David Moyes mimics his Everton self, he'll do the same as the Chilean. Any time the Toffees were facing a top-four side, they played rather negative, defensive football and contented themselves with a draw.

City get the slight edge here by playing at home and being very close to full strength. Pellegrini made sure to give his players plenty of rest when he sent out a weaker side against Stoke City a week ago.

Edin Dzeko will head one in as City are on the counter, and it will turn into a drab affair from there.

Manchester City 1, Manchester United 0

Chelsea

The worst thing that could have happened for Fulham is Chelsea losing their Champions League match against Basel. The Blues know they need a win to stem the tide and make up for what has been a poor start to the season by their incredibly high standards.

Chelsea should be able to get three rather easy points here. They're playing at home and will be able to break down what is a suspect Fulham defense.

The Cottagers are very good going forward and when they're in possession. However, when they have to get back to prevent the counter, or just defend in general, they're in trouble.

With or without Juan Mata in the lineup, Jose Mourinho will have enough attacking midfielders to catch Fulham on the break. Once the Blues have the lead, Mourinho won't be afraid to sit back and defend.

Chelsea 1, Fulham 0

Tottenham Hotspur

If Tottenham were facing tougher opposition, perhaps the injury to Etienne Capoue would be more of a worry. Against Cardiff City, it shouldn't be an issue.

The biggest problem with Spurs so far is their inability to fluidly work the ball up the pitch. All of their possession amounted to little at all because Roberto Soldado was getting left on an island. With Christian Eriksen in the fold, Soldado should be getting much better service, to both his and Tottenham's benefit.

Spurs are also going to continue improving as all of their new signings settle in at the club and Andre Villas-Boas figures out his starting XI.

Cardiff did get three points against Manchester City and have made good summer transfers. They're not going to be pushovers by any means.

Spurs should be able to control the ball just as they have through their first four matches. Only now they'll have that ability to find that critical final ball and be more lethal in the attack.

Tottenham 3, Cardiff 1