The Premier League’s race for Champions League qualification is heating up as the season nears its climax. Liverpool and Arsenal, currently occupying the top two spots, seem certain to maintain their positions, while three additional places are set to be up for grabs below them, with England poised to secure one of UEFA’s two European performance spots. That will mean five clubs can qualify for next season’s Champions League
Express Sport looks at all the teams looking to finish in the top five and what fixtures they have remaining…
Nottingham Forest
Current position: 3rd P31 W17 D6 L8 Pts 57 GD +14
Remaining fixtures: Everton (h), Tottenham, (a), Brentford (h), Crystal Palace (a), Leicester (h), West Ham (a), Chelsea (h)
Forest currently sitting third with 57 points, but have seen recent losses to Fulham, Newcastle, and Aston Villa diminish their lead, despite victories over Manchester City and Manchester United. The rest of the season doesn’t look too challenging for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, but a final-day clash with Chelsea at the City Ground could be crucial if they continue to drop points.
Chelsea
Current position: 4th P31 W15 D8 L8 Pts 53 GD +17
Remaining fixtures: Ipswich (h), Fulham (a), Everton (h), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a), Manchester United (h), Nottingham Forest (a)
In fourth place with 53 points, Chelsea have a mixed bag of remaining fixtures, including home games against Ipswich, Everton, Liverpool, and Manchester United, and away matches against Fulham, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea now face the dual challenge of securing qualification and pursuing Conference League glory, which could add up to five more games for the quarter-finalists. Liverpool, who are on course to win the title, along with Carabao Cup victors Newcastle and Forest, will also influence the outcome of their league campaign.
Newcastle
Current position: 5th P30 W16 D5 L9 Pts 53 GD +13
Remaining fixtures: Manchester United (h), Crystal Palace (h), Aston Villa (a), Ipswich (h), Brighton (a), Chelsea (h), Arsenal (a), Everton (h)
Currently in fifth place but with a game in hand, Newcastle’s remaining fixtures include home games against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, away games at Aston Villa and Brighton, followed by home games against Ipswich and Chelsea, and then away games at Arsenal and Everton. After their 3-0 victory over Leicester, who are battling relegation, on Monday night, Newcastle are now level on points with Chelsea. With an extra game to play compared to the teams above them, they are definitely one to watch. However, their upcoming schedule is arguably the toughest among the top contenders, with challenging matches against Villa, Brighton, Chelsea and Arsenal following Manchester United’s visit to St James’ Park this Sunday.
Manchester City
Current position: 6th P31 W15 D7 L9 Pts 52 GD +17
Remaining fixtures: Crystal Palace (h), Everton (a), Aston Villa (h), Wolves (h), Southampton (a), Bournemouth (h), Fulham (a)
Currently in sixth, their remaining fixtures include home games against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Wolves and Bournemouth, and away games at Everton, Southampton and Fulham. The reigning champions saw their hopes of a fifth consecutive title fade some time ago, and there’s a real chance they might not qualify for the Champions League following Sunday’s lacklustre derby draw at Old Trafford. Villa are the only other main contender they will face in the remaining weeks of the season, but Pep Guardiola’s side have little room for mistakes.
Aston Villa
Current position: 7th P31 W14 D9 L8 Pts 51 GD 0
Remaining fixtures: Southampton (a), Newcastle (h), Manchester City (a), Fulham (h), Bournemouth (a), Tottenham (h), Manchester United (a)
Currently sitting seventh, Aston Villa have a challenging run of fixtures ahead. They will face Southampton away, Newcastle at home, Manchester City away, Fulham at home, Bournemouth away, Tottenham at home and Manchester United away. Despite being Champions League quarter-finalists and looking forward to a thrilling two-legged clash with newly-crowned French champions Paris St Germain, Villa have a significant task ahead if they want to secure their spot next season based on their league finish. The matches against Newcastle and Manchester City could be pivotal, while Fulham and Bournemouth are also aiming high. And Tottenham and Manchester United are under pressure to deliver results for their disgruntled fans.
