The fight to qualify for the Champions League is intensifying as the Premier League season nears its end.
With Liverpool almost certain to win the league and the bottom three teams facing relegation, the focus is now firmly on which teams will secure European spots.
Because English teams are currently performing strongly in UEFA club rankings for 2024-25, the Premier League could gain a fifth Champions League qualification place.
Liverpool, likely champions under Arne Slot, and Arsenal are almost guaranteed to play Champions League football next season.
This leaves seven other teams competing for the remaining spots as the season approaches its climax.
With seven games left, we evaluate the remaining schedules for each team in contention for European qualification, ranking them from easiest to most difficult.
MAN CITY – 6TH, 52 POINTS
Current champions Manchester City have had an inconsistent season, but qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup would still be considered a success.
Pep Guardiola`s team will play Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at home, with a potentially challenging away game against Everton in between.
If they navigate these matches successfully, City will be optimistic heading into games against Wolves (home), Southampton (away, already relegated), and Bournemouth (home).
They will hope their final game against Fulham is not crucial for their opponents.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – 3RD, 57 POINTS
Nuno Espirito Santo`s Nottingham Forest are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League and will be confident about their upcoming fixtures.
Forest have only lost twice at their home ground, City Ground, this season and will feel they can win their home games against Everton, Brentford, and Leicester (likely to be relegated).
Nottingham Forest have also performed well away from home and are unlikely to be intimidated by away games against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham.
Their last game is at home against Chelsea, which could be a significant match, especially if Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, can close the current four-point gap.
BRIGHTON – 9TH, 47 POINTS
Brighton & Hove Albion have considerable ground to make up, currently six points behind Newcastle in fifth place.
Winning their potentially winnable games against Leicester (home), Brentford (away), and West Ham (home) could put them back in contention before they host Newcastle, managed by Eddie Howe, on May 4.
Brighton will then play Wolves away, who might have little to play for by that point, before hosting Liverpool, who could have already secured the league title.
Fabian Hurzeler`s team will conclude their season with an away game against Tottenham, who have been inconsistent.
ASTON VILLA – 7TH, 51 POINTS
Aston Villa are still competing in multiple competitions, including the Champions League quarter-finals and the FA Cup semi-finals.
Their league season could also be memorable, as they are just two points behind Newcastle before their game against Southampton (low in the table) this weekend.
Unai Emery`s team then has crucial games at home against Newcastle and away to Manchester City, which could significantly impact the European qualification race.
After that, Villa will host Fulham, travel to Bournemouth, play Tottenham at home, and finish with an away game against Manchester United.
FULHAM – 8TH, 48 POINTS
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, are five points away from a Champions League spot and, apart from a game against Southampton on April 26, have a challenging set of remaining fixtures.
This weekend, they play Bournemouth away, who are just below them in the league, and then host Chelsea the following weekend.
After playing Southampton, they will travel to Aston Villa before a home game against Everton.
Fulham will finish the season with a West London derby against Brentford and a home game against Manchester City.
NEWCASTLE – 5TH, 53 POINTS
Newcastle United currently hold the last Champions League qualification spot but need to maintain their recent strong form to stay there.
Newcastle will host Manchester United and Crystal Palace in their next two games before a difficult away match against Aston Villa.
They then have a more favorable home game against Ipswich, followed by away games against Brighton and Arsenal, with a home game against Chelsea in between.
Newcastle will play Everton at home on the final day of the season.
CHELSEA – 4TH, 53 POINTS
Chelsea have been inconsistent recently, scoring only two goals in their last four Premier League games.
After their home game against Ipswich this weekend, Chelsea faces a challenging schedule, starting with a derby game against Fulham on April 20.
