Champions League permutations: Who can still qualify for Europe’s elite competition through Premier League?
THE 2024/25 Premier League season is heading for a thrilling climax, with the race for the Champions League far from over.
Liverpool confirmed their status as top flight winners with four matches remaining.
The Reds’ Premier League win meant they became the first English side to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League.
Arsenal will join the Merseyside outfit in Europe’s elite competition after they beat Newcastle 1-0 last Sunday to secure their spot.
As will Europa League winners Tottenham, following their 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Bilbao final.
But THREE places are still up for grabs with the top five in the Premier League qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Who can still qualify for Champions League through the Premier League?
FIVE teams are battling for the remaining three spots in the Premier League’s top five, they are – Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
3rd – Man City
Points – 68
Goal difference – +26
Man City go into the final day in the best position out of the five to claim Champions League football as they have two more points than Newcastle, Chelsea, Villa and three more than Forest.
A point away at Fulham will likely be enough for Pep Guardiola’s men due to their superior goal difference, but a win will make mathematically sure that they can’t be caught.
4th – Newcastle
Points – 66
Goal difference – +22
Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend, and results going in favour of their top five rivals, has left Eddie Howe’s side with a job to do on Sunday.
The Magpies host Everton on the final day, knowing a win would secure their spot in the Champions League due to their far superior goal difference to Villa.
A draw would be enough for the Toon if Villa failed to win away at Manchester United.
5th – Chelsea
Points – 66
Goal difference – +20
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest in a blockbuster clash with both sides capable of securing Champions League football.
The Blues would qualify with a win over the Tricky Trees, no matter what Villa do, due to their far superior goal difference.
A draw would be enough for Chelsea if Newcastle are beaten by Everton by more than one goal or Villa fail to win at Man Utd.
6th – Aston Villa
Points – 66
Goal difference – +9
The Villans can secure Champions League football for the second season in a row with a draw at Old Trafford, should Newcastle lose to Everton and Forest vs Chelsea end in a draw.
There is a strong chance that Unai Emery’s side will need to win on the final day to finish in the top five.
Should Villa win at Man Utd, it may not be enough due to their inferior goal difference, as if Newcastle and Chelsea both win and City take at least a point at Fulham, they would remain 6th, just outside the Champions League spots.
7th – Nottingham Forest
Points – 65
Goal difference – +13
Nottingham Forest HAVE to beat Chelsea on the final day to stand any chance of a top five finish.
Even if Nuno Espirito Santo’s men claim all three points, they may still finish 6th if Aston Villa and Newcastle both win.
