There are five teams locked in a nail-biting battle, separated by just one point!
The question of “Who will be Premier League champion?” was answered long ago. Arsenal secured their place in next season’s Champions League by winning their final round match. The fight to avoid relegation ended much earlier as well. But many other questions remain, keeping the tension sky-high—especially the fierce contest among five teams for the last three spots in Europe’s top competition.
This season, the Premier League’s top five teams will directly qualify for next season’s Champions League. After champions Liverpool, Arsenal confirmed their spot on Sunday by beating Newcastle United 1-0.
Liverpool sits at the top with 83 points from 36 matches, while Arsenal have 71 points but have played one more game.
Newcastle’s recent loss to Arsenal added frustration and doubt to their camp, but their confidence remains strong. Coach Eddie Howe says, “The battle has heated up and it will go right to the very end.”
Among the five teams in this fight, only Manchester City have two matches left to play; the other four have each played 37 games. And all five teams are separated by just a single point.
Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are tied on 66 points, occupying third to fifth place. Just behind them, with 65 points each, are Manchester City and Nottingham Forest in sixth and seventh.
Manchester City played one less game because of the FA Cup final last Saturday. After losing that final to Crystal Palace, the four-time defending league champions will end their season trophyless. Even more concerning might be the impact of that loss on the team’s confidence.
In just three days, Manchester City must get ready for a fierce league showdown at home against Bournemouth. Then, in the last round, they will face Fulham away.
On the same day as the City-Fulham match, all remaining nine fixtures of the final round will kick off simultaneously.
If Newcastle beat Everton, they will seal their Champions League spot regardless of any other results.
Chelsea know they must win to reach the Champions League as they face Nottingham Forest. Last Sunday, Forest kept their hopes alive by beating West Ham.
For Nottingham Forest to qualify, they must win their last match and hope that at least one team above them slips up.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, need a win against Manchester United on the final day—and also favorable results elsewhere.
Adding to the drama, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in the Europa League final next Wednesday. The winner will also earn a spot in next season’s Champions League.
So, next season’s Champions League will feature six Premier League teams battling on Europe’s biggest stage.
