Chelsea next five fixtures compared to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man City after Gent win

The latest Chelsea news as the Blues currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League table, while they're also in good form under Enzo Maresca in Europe, too.

Chelsea have kicked off their Europa Conference League campaign in the perfect fashion with a comfortable win over Belgian side Gent in the first of six league phase games.

Renato Veiga scored his first goal for the club in the 12th minute to give the Blues the lead, with Pedro Neto then making it 2-0 just 48 seconds into the second half. Gent, however, got a goal back in the 50th minute.

Chelsea were then able to re-establish the two goal advantage after the hour mark, with Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both getting on the score-sheet. Gent got another goal in added-time, but that didn't stop Chelsea from taking all three points.

That win means the Blues have won their last five games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 17-4.

Chelsea's form now has them looking at a potential top-four finish at the end of the season. There has even been talk round whether Enzo Maresca's side can challenge Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool for the Premier League title.

After a week of European football, football.london have taken a look at the next five fixtures on the horizon for all of the teams currently sitting in the top five positions in the Premier League.

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Liverpool's next five fixtures

Crystal Palace (A) - Saturday, October 5 - Premier League

Chelsea (H) - Sunday, October 20 - Premier League

RB Leipzig (A) - Wednesday, October 23 - Champions League

Arsenal (A) - Sunday, October 27 - Premier League

Brighton (A) - Wednesday, October 30 - Carabao Cup

There's a big week coming up for Liverpool after October's international break. The Premier League match against Chelsea at Anfield is followed by a visit to RB Leipzig in the Champions League, and then a trip to take on Arsenal. The two Premier League games in particular could be crucial in terms of shaping the early title race - and even the battle for a top-four finish.

Man City's next five fixtures

Fulham (H) - Saturday, October 5 - Premier League

Wolves (A) - Sunday, October 20 - Premier League

Sparta Prague (H) - Wednesday, October 23 - Champions League

Southampton (H) - Saturday, October 26 - Premier League

Tottenham (A) - Wednesday, October 30 - Carabao Cup

On paper, City look to have one of the easier runs, although Fulham have impressed - so far this campaign - and sit in sixth place. Both Wolves and Southampton have picked up just one point so far this season. A Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham could be an interesting match-up, too.

Arsenal's next five fixtures

Southampton (H) - Saturday, October 5 - Premier League

Bournemouth (A) - Saturday, October 19 - Premier League

Shakhtar Donetsk (H) - Tuesday, October 22 - Champions League

Liverpool (H) - Sunday, October 27 - Premier League

Preston (A) - Wednesday, October 30 - Carabao Cup

It seems to be a mixed-bag for Arsenal in terms of their games. Southampton and Bournemouth are ones that they will be expected to win, as well as a home Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk. The standout fixture is the one against Liverpool, though, which could well be crucial.

Chelsea's next five fixtures

Nottingham Forest (H) - Sunday, October 6 - Premier League

Liverpool (H) - Sunday, October 20 - Premier League

Panathinaikos (A) - Thursday, October 24 - Conference League

Newcastle (H) - Sunday, October 27 - Premier League

Newcastle (A) - Wednesday, October 30 - Carabao Cup

Like Arsenal, the standout fixture for Chelsea is the Premier League meeting against Liverpool. It's a match that could be crucial in determining if the Blues will be challenging for the Premier League title come the end of the season, or it might at least be pretty entertaining along the way!

Aston Villa's next five fixtures

Manchester United (H) - Sunday, October 6 - Premier League

Fulham (A) - Saturday, October 19 - Premier League

Bologna (H) - Tuesday, October 22 -Champions League

Bournemouth (H) - Saturday, October 26 - Premier League

Crystal Palace (H) - Wednesday, October 30 - Carabao Cup

On paper, Villa have all winnable games coming up. At the weekend, they face a United team low on confidence. The good news for Villa is that four of their next five matches in all competitions are at home, meaning they won't have to worry about travelling here, there and everywhere, either.

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