It has been a disappointing 2015-16 campaign for Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.
The underachieving Premier League trio are now locked in a battle to finish fourth in the table and, with that, secure a place in next season's Champions League.
Manchester United are five points behind City and Arsenal, but there's a glimmer of hope for Louis van Gaal's men, who have a game in hand on those above them -- and City and Arsenal still have to play each other.
Who will finish fourth? Our ESPN FC club correspondents have their say:
What's gone wrong this season?
Jonathan Smith: It would be too easy to put City's poor form down to injuries to key men such as Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, but they certainly haven't helped. Still, failing to beat any side in the top seven is an appalling record for title contenders and is the main reason they have failed to mount a proper challenge.
Mattias Karen: The short version? Arsenal bottled it. The long version is that poor defending and finishing doomed Arsenal in the second half of the season. Their midfield still dominates most games, but they've conceded too many cheap goals and failed to convert enough scoring chances. As always, a lack of leadership and winning mentality have been painfully obvious.
Arindam Rej: Manchester United have cast off experienced players for modest sums and made expensive acquisitions who have failed to deliver, with the likes of Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian among those who have disappointed. A possession-based, patient style has too often been dull and ineffective, while injuries to key players have not helped.
Who has the edge in the battle for fourth?
JS: City have the advantage, given that they have the most points and best goal difference. Plus they play Arsenal at the Etihad; if they win, they can even afford to lose one of their two other games.
MK: City and Arsenal. Manuel Pellegrini's men host Arsenal on May 8 in what looks like a direct battle for third place. The loser of that match could be overtaken by United in fourth, if Van Gaal's team win their game in hand. However, United play Leicester this weekend, and their game in hand is at West Ham, so it's far from certain they can catch up.
AR: Arsenal and City's meeting with each other could throw the race open. If United defeat title-chasing Leicester on Sunday, they cannot be ruled out. Arsenal have underwhelmed, again, but you'd expect them to take maximum points from home against Norwich and the hopeless Aston Villa.
Is finishing fourth enough this season?
JS: Certainly not. It's a massive underachievement for such a talented squad. However, City's poor Premier League form is slightly tempered by their Champions League run to the semifinals and the fact that they won the Capital One Cup.
MK: No, not even close. Arsenal fans are fed up with fourth place, and rightfully so. Especially after a season in which they were top of the table in January and their traditional rivals all faltered. There is no way to sum up this season other than a massive opportunity wasted.
AR: Because Manchester United finished in the top four last season and then spent heavily in trying to improve the squad, a similar finish should have been the minimum requirement. Despite talk of a transitional period, United should have been challenging for the title, especially considering other big clubs' struggles.
What will be the deciding factor in the race for the Champions League?
JS: United may have to win all four of their remaining games to reach the top four, and that's a big ask particularly with the distraction of an FA Cup final to come. They face Leicester City, who have lost just three games all season, and West Ham United in the last ever game at Upton Park, which will be extremely tricky.
MK: The City-Arsenal match will be crucial. But unless United beat Leicester, a draw could suit both teams at the Etihad. And United trail both on goal difference, which could prove decisive. City are in better form domestically but could be distracted by their Champions League semifinal with Real Madrid.
AR: United need to keep up their recent confidence and momentum by opting for a bolder approach and ditching the 4-2-3-1 that has held them back. Their hopes rest on winning every game and pressurising the sides above them into a decisive slip-up.
Predict the top five
JS: 1. Leicester 2. Tottenham 3. Manchester City 4. Arsenal 5. Manchester United.
Looking at the fixtures, City and Arsenal should pick up two wins, and that should be enough to keep them above United.
MK: 1. Leicester 2. Tottenham 3. Manchester City 4. Arsenal 5. Manchester United
It would be heartbreaking to see Leicester falter, but luckily for Claudio Ranieri's men, they don't look like they'll fail now. Tottenham also seem to be avoiding their usual late-season collapse, and there's no reason to think they'll finish lower than second. City have a good chance of beating Arsenal at home, but United won't be able to take advantage.
AR: 1. Leicester 2. Tottenham 3. Arsenal 4. Manchester City 5. Manchester United
Leicester's season is a triumph of good coaching, strong recruitment and a strong mentality. Spurs, meanwhile, have often been fluent and fearless. United could learn from both of them.
