With five teams aiming for Champions League participation based on their European performance, the race has tightened, with the top seven aiming for qualification. Currently, Liverpool and Arsenal occupy the top two positions, while Newcastle United’s strong form places them in contention for a Champions League spot.
However, teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest are closely contesting, separated by just three points. The competition has heated up as Nottingham Forest fall short, allowing Leicester City to equalize, costing them crucial points that could have solidified their Champions League aspirations.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch after their draw against Leicester City to have some heated words with Nuno Espirito Santo. 馃槼
The draw means they have qualified for Europe but had #UCL in their hands until the 81st minute. 馃槺
pic.twitter.com/sOlgwheamI
Noteworthy is the performance decrements for Nottingham Forest lately, with only two wins in their last eight matches resulting in a tumble from third to seventh in the standings. Their late-season struggles coincide with Aston Villa’s peak performance.
In summary, while Liverpool appears set for the title and Champions League next season, both Arsenal and Newcastle must maintain the pressure to secure their spots in European competition.
Premier League Top Seven
| Pos | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | +46 | 83 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | +33 | 68 |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | +23 | 66 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 67 | 43 | +24 | 65 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 62 | 43 | +19 | 63 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 49 | +7 | 63 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 44 | +12 | 62 |
Who Will Secure a Top Five Finish?
The title secured by Liverpool ensures their place in next season’s Champions League. On the other hand, while Arsenal can theoretically drop out of the top four, it is highly improbable they will miss out. As for Newcastle, their subsequent match against Arsenal is critical; a draw may suffice, but a loss could complicate their standings.
Manchester City also draws significant attention as they grapple with expectations after a lackluster performance against Southampton, which puts their Champions League spot at risk. Chelsea faces a make-or-break situation in their final games, needing victories to keep Aston Villa at bay. Ultimately, the forthcoming matches could be paramount in dictating which teams will finish in the coveted Champions League spots.
