Why Manchester United and Arsenal Will Finish in EPL's Top 4

Coming down the home stretch, the finishing line is in sight, but with the race for the top four in the Premier League as yet unresolved, there are sure to be plenty of surprises in store between now and May 24.

It's Manchester United and Arsenal, however, who look most capable of clinching those all-important Champions League spots.

Had this been mentioned a few months ago, hardly anyone would have taken it seriously (indeed, some still won't).

But the fact of the matter is that these two clubs have a much better chance than anyone else of propelling themselves into the upper stratum of European football.

Indeed, the two warring factions are set to wind up side by side come the end of the season.

So, let's analyse exactly why, starting with the Red Devils.

Fortress Old Trafford to offer them sanctuary

Currently unbeaten in five home matches, the last time United lost at Old Trafford was back in early January against a potent Southampton.

Since then, they've been unstoppable.

Most notably, they took Tottenham Hotspur apart with a performance that had not been seen before under Louis van Gaal. Pressuring the Lilywhites off the ball, closing down stray passes, using the full width of the pitch and scoring goals, the 13-time Premier League champions harked back to their glory days with aplomb.

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Now it seems it was less of a reminder of what they used to do and more of a warning of what they're still capable of.

Once more, their home turf is a ground which teams will fear.

Providing soupcons of brilliance every now and then, their recent away win against Liverpool might even hint at a return to their form of old that saw them renowned for their fearless attacking genius wherever they travelled.

And with two of their remaining three "key" clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal scheduled to be played at home, United are in an ideal position to take advantage and cement their position inside the top four.

After all, as revealed by Adam Marshall on the club's official blog, United have the best head-to-head record between all the top five clubs.

Reborn midfield has the necessary desire

Juan Mata's brace against Brendan Rodgers' charges sent a message to Manchester United's nearest challengers that they mean business.

A quick look at the league's top scorers chart shows that, unlike Chelsea, Spurs, City and Arsenal, the 2012/13 champions are without a prolific striker.

Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped them scoring eight goals in their most recent four league matches with Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini all chipping in.

It's not just goalscoring midfielders they possess, though, as Ander Herrera has confirmed.

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As reported by the Daily Mail's Mike Keegan (h/t El Pais), the Spaniard is now making his team tick and has become one of their indispensable names on the matchday team-sheet now that he knows Van Gaal's philiosophy a little better.

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Van Gaal loves possession and doesn't like to risk [losing] the ball. He wants long possessions and to keep the ball because he believes you create spaces staying in the right place, because the team have the quality to find you. At the beginning he used to tell me off because I always looked for the ball, I wanted to have it and I must wait for it.

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Arsenal's form will spur them on

As for Arsenal, much like it has been for the red half of Manchester, this campaign has not been straightforward at all.

Flying high in the Champions League one minute, crashing out the next—they're now doing their utmost to steamroll their way back into the continent's most desirable club competition once more with a majestic six-game winning streak.

Despite the fact that eight matches remain, Arsenal will have to rely somewhat on the fortunes of others, but things look set to go their way. Although Manuel Pellegrini's Citizens are in danger of getting sucked right back into a complicated battle for fourth, they should reawaken once the international break resumes.

With a vastly superior goal difference to Liverpool, even if things really go belly up and the Gunners slip back into their characteristic flaw of playing poorly against the top sides (they face Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United before the end of the season), they will be fine points-wise.

Gunners have the firepower to dispatch anyone

While Harry Kane and Diego Costa are leading the scoring stakes, Arsenal are not without a productive forward of their own; Olivier Giroud.

In their last eight league matches, the Frenchman has been involved in as many goals, scoring six and assisting two. With him in top form, Arsenal will capture maximum points against Burnley, Hull City, Swansea City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

A quick look at some of his fine contributions this season underlines exactly how clinical he can be on his day, particularly the wonder strike he netted against Manchester United at 2:40.

And with the likes of Mesut Ozil providing him with some ruthless passes and inch-perfect through balls, it's no wonder Arsene Wenger believes he can only get better, per The Independent's Martin Hardy.

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Of course it helps when you have the quality of players he has around them. When you are a striker you are fed by the people around you and the quality of balls he gets is very good. At 22 and 23 he played in division 3 in France and today he is at Arsenal. I believe there is still room for improvement.

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Indeed, with their clashes against Liverpool and Chelsea to come from the comfort of the Emirates Stadium, there's a chance of the ex-Montepllier star spearheading them to a couple of really important victories.

Unbeaten in their most recent eight clashes at home, Arsene Wenger has transformed their home patch into even more of a fortress than Old Trafford.

Conclusion

But what of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur?

Simply put, both teams haven't been in good form recently and have already blown their chances of making the top four, despite some memorable heroics throughout the season.

Ronald Koeman's men have taken just eight points from a possible 18 in their last six matches, while Spurs have only picked up 10 in the same stretch. The opportunity is there for both Arsenal and United to take their moment and capitalise on the shortcomings of their closest rivals.

And with recent form as the best possible measuring stick, it's easy to see why they will be successful as the rest flounder in their wake.