One of the strangest Premier League seasons of all time comes into the final few weeks and there is still plenty to play for from top to bottom.
While the battle between Manchester City and Arsenal for the title and a desperate fight for survival during the warm-up will draw much attention, a crowded battle for European places could also be decided on the final day.
Newcastle and Manchester United remain best placed for a place in next season’s Champions League, but Liverpool are coming to an end quickly.
Furthermore, contrasting seasons of calm and chaos at Brighton and Tottenham could see a clash for sixth place, while Aston Villa may still have a big say in the matter.
Here’s the current standings and the games each team has relinquished to secure their place in continental competition.
newcastle
3rd place, 65 points
It felt inevitable from the moment the club’s takeover was complete but Newcastle have fared well this year to find themselves on the verge of a return to Europe. Eddie Howe has made a wise appointment and got the best out of a squad that may still fall short of some of the other contenders for Champions League placement. However, there is still work to be done and Newcastle’s edges are just a little frayed against Arsenal. Among the last four contenders are battles with two relegation contenders in Leeds and Leicester, which could prove problematic, while Brighton may need a win to keep their European ambitions alive.
Remaining fixtures
Leeds (away), Saturday 13 May
Brighton (Home), Thursday 18th May
Leicester (home), Monday 22 May
Chelsea (away), Sunday 28 May
Manchester United
4th place, 63 points
It wasn’t long ago that Manchester United caught up to our two title contenders; Erik ten Hag’s side are now throwing nervous glances back over their shoulders as they stumble down the homestretch. A handful of premature injuries and the ongoing mega-money-making behind-the-scenes may have destabilized Manchester United just a little and Ten Hag will be keen to get the ship back on track quickly. Fortunately for the Dutchman, three home games are among his side’s four remaining league games and neither of the remaining opponents are likely to offer much. Nine points would be enough to keep Liverpool in check and Brighton would need something extraordinary to overtake them.
Remaining fixtures
Wolves (Home), Saturday May 13th
Bournemouth (away), Saturday 20 May
Chelsea (home), Thursday 25 May
Fulham (home), Sunday 28 May
Liverpool
5th place, 62 points
Liverpool have woken themselves from their sleep to demand a Champions League spot that seemed so unlikely mid-season. Six straight wins means Jurgen Klopp’s side are the formhorses, quick to join those above them and threatening to salvage their campaign. The most recent run hasn’t seen Liverpool in full form – their last five wins have come by a single goal – but the so-called mentality monsters appear to be back, at least to some extent. Three eminently winnable games could offer opportunities for a brilliant finish to land back in Europe’s top-tier competition. They’ll need Manchester United to slip up twice but that’s far from unlikely in their current form.
Remaining fixtures
Leicester (away), Monday 15 May
Aston Villa (home), Saturday 20 May
Southampton (away), Sunday 28 May
Tottenham
6th place, 57 points
Given the state of perpetual crisis Spurs have found themselves in this year, it’s a bit extraordinary to find a side with a second interim manager right in the European mix, but this has been a very, very strange season. Ryan Mason has had a mixed start to his second stint, with particular problems in the opening 20 minutes could dashed their hopes of qualifying, but three wins from three could just be enough to secure entry into next year’s European competition. Would a campaign in the Europa Conference League appeal to Julian Nagelsmann?
Remaining fixtures
Aston Villa (away), Saturday 13 May
Brentford (home), Saturday 20th May
Leeds (away), Sunday 28 May
Brighton
7th place, 55 points
The fate of Brighton is in their hands – end-of-season bloat means the South Coasters have plenty of games left in which to inflate their points tally and, with a win, secure at least a Europa League spot. It’s not a particularly friendly meeting given that the two title contenders and trips to Newcastle and Aston Villa are unlikely to prove favorable fares, but Roberto De Zerbi’s men continue to impress. The manager may have regrets over the recent defeat by Nottingham Forest: three points more would have meant a position of real strength, but a first European appearance is very likely.
Remaining fixtures
Everton (home), Monday 8 May
Arsenal (away), Sunday 14 May
Newcastle (away), Thursday 18 May
Southampton (home), Sunday 21 May
Manchester City (home), Wednesday 24 May
Aston Villa (away), Sunday 28 May
AstonVilla
8th place, 54 points
Yes, the plucky Aston Villa is still in the running for a European spot and wonders what would have happened if it had started the season with Steven Gerrard at the helm. The Spaniard’s line-up has proved to be a masterstroke, Emery battered down a listless side and transformed them into a team of surprising collective strength in both attack and defence. Her manager, of course, loves a European tour and Villa will certainly have an impact on the final pecking order, playing the three teams above them in the table to wrap up their season.
Remaining fixtures
Tottenham (home), Saturday 13 May
Liverpool (away), Saturday 20 May
Brighton (Home), Sunday 28th May
