THE race for Champions League qualification is heating up as the Premier League nears its dramatic conclusion.
With Liverpool having virtually sewn up the title and the bottom three all looking doomed, all eyes are on the battle for Europe.
As English sides currently top Uefa‘s 2024-25 club co-efficients, the Premier League is in line to receive a fifth Champions League spot.
Arne Slot‘s champions-elect Liverpool, and Arsenal, can feel very assured that they will be playing Champions League football next season.
But this leaves the seven below them all jostling for position as the race goes down to the wire.
With seven games remaining, SunSport ranks each European-battling teams’ run-ins from easiest to hardest.
MAN CITY – 6TH, 52 POINTS
Reigning champions Manchester City have had an off-year, but may feel quietly content should they qualify for the Champions League and win the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola‘s side host Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in upcoming weeks, with a potentially tricky trip to Everton in between.
Should they come through that run still in the mix, City will feel good going into a run of Wolves at home, relegated Southampton away and Bournemouth at home.
They will then hope that their final day trip to Fulham is a dead rubber for the Cottagers.
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST – 3RD, 57 POINTS
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League, and they will feel confident going into their run-in.
Forest have lost just twice at the City Ground this season and will fancy their chances in upcoming home games against Everton, Brentford and doomed Leicester.
The Tricky Trees have also been strong on the road and will not be daunted by trips to Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham.
On the final day they host Chelsea in a potentially mouthwatering encounter, particularly if Enzo Maresca‘s side can narrow the current four-point gap between the two sides.
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BRIGHTON – 9TH, 47 POINTS
The Seagulls have plenty of work to do as they currently sit six points behind fifth-placed Newcastle.
Maximum points from presentable-looking games against Leicester at home, Brentford away and West Ham at home could see them climb into the mix, before they host Eddie Howe‘s Carabao Cup winners on May 4.
Brighton will then go to Wolves, who will likely be on the beach, before hosting Liverpool, who may well have already long won the title.
Fabian Hurzeler‘s side will then finish with a trip to under-performing Tottenham.
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ASTON VILLA – 7TH, 51 POINTS
Villa are still competing on multiple fronts, with a Champions League quarter-final and FA Cup semi to look forward to.
Their league campaign could yet be a special one too, as they only sit two points off Newcastle going into their trip to lowly Southampton this weekend.
Unai Emery‘s men then have crucial games at home to Newcastle and away to Manchester City, which could play a huge part in the race for Europe.
Villa then host Fulham, travel to Bournemouth, play Tottenham at home and travel to Manchester United.
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FULHAM – 8TH, 48 POINTS
Marco Silva‘s side are five points off the pace and, barring a trip to Southampton on April 26, have one of the more difficult run-ins.
This weekend they travel to Bournemouth, who sit only one place below them, before hosting Chelsea the following weekend.
After the game at Saints they will go to Aston Villa ahead of a home match with Everton.
The Cottagers will then finish with a West London derby at Brentford and a home clash with Man City.
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NEWCASTLE – 5TH, 53 POINTS
The Toon currently occupy the last Champions League spot, but will need to keep up their impressive recent form to stay there.
Newcastle host Man Utd and Crystal Palace in their next two matches, before a tricky trip to Aston Villa.
A presentable home match with Ipswich will follow, before away games at Brighton and Arsenal sandwiching a home clash with Chelsea.
The Magpies will host Everton at St James’ Park on the final day of the season.
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CHELSEA – 4TH, 53 POINTS
The Blues have wobbled of late, scoring just two goals in their last four Prem matches.
Following this weekend’s home match with Ipswich, the Blues have a nightmare run-in, beginning with a derby match at Fulham on April 20.
They will then host Merseyside pair Everton and Liverpool back to back, before travelling to in-form Newcastle.
Chelsea will finish their league campaign by hosting Man Utd and travelling to high-flying Nottingham Forest.
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