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Premier League run-in fixtures, permutations and predicted finishes as race for Champions League comes down to wire
The Premier League title and relegation battles are over, but the Champions League race remains incredibly tight. With just a two games to go, the chase to seal a place in UEFA‘s top competition is as intense as ever. The battle for the Champions League is likely to go down to the last day Look at how close the battle for those Champions League places is As it stands, just four points are separating seventh and third, so it’s going right down to the wire. The Premier League are guaranteed another spot in the Champions League, so there is an extra place on the line for teams finishing fifth. That is, regardless of whether Manchester United or Tottenham claim Europa League glory, for a backdoor entrance into UEFA’s elite. Liverpool are the only side guaranteed to play in the Champions League next season as they the champions. Newcastle United‘s triumph over Arne Slot‘s Reds means the club have secured a spot in the Conference League at least for 2025/26. Here, talkSPORT.com looks at the race for the Champions League. Newcastle – 3rd – 66 points No matter what happens in the rest of Newcastle’s season, the Magpies have finally ended their trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, the club’s first silverware since 1969. Eddie Howe and his players have made themselves Tyneside heroes, but the attention now switches to turning the campaign into an unforgettable one by making it into the Champions League. The Magpies had a pretty inconsistent start but have been one of the best teams in Europe in the second half of the campaign and need just three more points from their final two to guarantee a place back in UEFA’s premier competition. The momentum of the cup win has propelled Newcastle along – especially following the recovery of manager Howe from pneumonia. And in Alexander Isak, they have one of the best strikers in the world. Predicted finish – 3rd Champions League football and the Carabao Cup would crown a remarkable season for the ToonAFP Newcastle's remaining fixtures Arsenal – A – May 18 Everton – H – May 25 Manchester City – 4th – 65 points It’s a mark of Pep Guardiola‘s success since arriving in England that a top-four finish and a potential FA Cup remains possible in his worst season. Man City took a giant step towards cementing automatic Champions League qualification with their 2-1 win over Aston Villa but dropped points against Southampton have left them a bit vulnerable. The four-peat Premier League title winners have Erling Haaland back and will hope to get the points they need from the fixtures. City need four points from their last two to guarantee a place in the Champions League due to their huge goal difference advantage over Villa. Predicted finish – 4th Nunes’ stoppage-time goal against Villa could prove vitalGetty Man City's remaining fixtures Bournemouth – H – May 20 Fulham – A – May 25 Chelsea – 5th – 63 points It has been a strange first season for Enzo Maresca with Chelsea starting brilliantly under him and looking to be genuine title contenders. They then suffered an awful December, losing to Fulham and Ipswich before starting to pick things up again. However, in their last two games, they face Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. The Blues managed to beat Liverpool before losing to Newcastle, leaving them in a perilous position. However, they know six points would get them back into the Champions League Predicted finish – 6th Chelsea are without Nicolas Jackson for the run-in after his red card at St James’ ParkGetty Chelsea's remaining fixtures Manchester United – H – May 16 Nottingham Forest – A – May 25 Aston Villa – 6th – 63 points Unai Emery‘s Villa made it to the last eight of the Champions League, where they narrowly lost to Paris Saint-Germain. A place in the top five is more than a possibility as well, so it’s possible the Villans will enjoy their greatest season in a long time. Their last-gasp defeat at the Etihad had left them with it all to do, but they are now level on points with Chelsea, and know if they better their results, they will be in the Champions League. In any other campaign, facing Man United and Tottenham as your last two would be considered tough, but both sides have endured nightmare campaigns and have the Europa League final to think about. So, Villa are suddenly well in contention. Predicted finish – 5th Villa have hit form at the right timeGetty Aston Villa's remaining fixtures Tottenham – H – May 16 Manchester United – A – May 25 Nottingham Forest – 7th – 62 points For the majority of the season, it had looked as if the Tricky Trees would finish third, especially after beating Man City 1-0 in March. Nuno Espirito Sa
The Premier League title and relegation battles are over, but the Champions League race remains incredibly tight.
With just a two games to go, the chase to seal a place in UEFA‘s top competition is as intense as ever.
As it stands, just four points are separating seventh and third, so it’s going right down to the wire.
The Premier League are guaranteed another spot in the Champions League, so there is an extra place on the line for teams finishing fifth.
That is, regardless of whether Manchester United or Tottenham claim Europa League glory, for a backdoor entrance into UEFA’s elite.
Liverpool are the only side guaranteed to play in the Champions League next season as they the champions.
Newcastle United‘s triumph over Arne Slot‘s Reds means the club have secured a spot in the Conference League at least for 2025/26.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks at the race for the Champions League.
Newcastle – 3rd – 66 points
No matter what happens in the rest of Newcastle’s season, the Magpies have finally ended their trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, the club’s first silverware since 1969.
Eddie Howe and his players have made themselves Tyneside heroes, but the attention now switches to turning the campaign into an unforgettable one by making it into the Champions League.
The Magpies had a pretty inconsistent start but have been one of the best teams in Europe in the second half of the campaign and need just three more points from their final two to guarantee a place back in UEFA’s premier competition.
The momentum of the cup win has propelled Newcastle along – especially following the recovery of manager Howe from pneumonia.
And in Alexander Isak, they have one of the best strikers in the world.
Predicted finish – 3rd
Newcastle's remaining fixtures
Arsenal – A – May 18
Everton – H – May 25
Manchester City – 4th – 65 points
It’s a mark of Pep Guardiola‘s success since arriving in England that a top-four finish and a potential FA Cup remains possible in his worst season.
Man City took a giant step towards cementing automatic Champions League qualification with their 2-1 win over Aston Villa but dropped points against Southampton have left them a bit vulnerable.
The four-peat Premier League title winners have Erling Haaland back and will hope to get the points they need from the fixtures.
City need four points from their last two to guarantee a place in the Champions League due to their huge goal difference advantage over Villa.
Predicted finish – 4th
Man City's remaining fixtures
Bournemouth – H – May 20
Fulham – A – May 25
Chelsea – 5th – 63 points
It has been a strange first season for Enzo Maresca with Chelsea starting brilliantly under him and looking to be genuine title contenders.
They then suffered an awful December, losing to Fulham and Ipswich before starting to pick things up again.
However, in their last two games, they face Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
The Blues managed to beat Liverpool before losing to Newcastle, leaving them in a perilous position.
However, they know six points would get them back into the Champions League
Predicted finish – 6th
Chelsea's remaining fixtures
Manchester United – H – May 16
Nottingham Forest – A – May 25
Aston Villa – 6th – 63 points
Unai Emery‘s Villa made it to the last eight of the Champions League, where they narrowly lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
A place in the top five is more than a possibility as well, so it’s possible the Villans will enjoy their greatest season in a long time.
Their last-gasp defeat at the Etihad had left them with it all to do, but they are now level on points with Chelsea, and know if they better their results, they will be in the Champions League.
In any other campaign, facing Man United and Tottenham as your last two would be considered tough, but both sides have endured nightmare campaigns and have the Europa League final to think about.
So, Villa are suddenly well in contention.
Predicted finish – 5th
Aston Villa's remaining fixtures
Tottenham – H – May 16
Manchester United – A – May 25
Nottingham Forest – 7th – 62 points
For the majority of the season, it had looked as if the Tricky Trees would finish third, especially after beating Man City 1-0 in March.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s men were miles ahead of the chasing pack, but back-to-back defeats this month dragged them right back into it.
But one win in six right at the end means the Champions League isn’t in their hands anymore.
All they can do is win their last two fixtures and hope some teams above them slip up.
They face Chelsea on the last day at home, which has the potential to be the club’s biggest league game in their modern history.
Forest could be within striking distance of the Blues come kick-off in a potential winner-takes-all clash.
Even if they do miss out on UEFA’s elite competition, they are guaranteed a place in Europe next year.
Predicted finish – 7th
Nottingham Forest's remaining fixtures
West Ham – A – May 18
Chelsea – H – May 25
