Whereas Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis slug it out for the Premier League title, the competition for the remaining Champions League locations is coming to the boil – with 5 sides battling for probably three remaining spots.
Fifth place within the Premier League is just about sure to convey Champions League qualification due to within the Uefa coefficent desk.
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Manchester United have leapfrogged Aston Villa to assert third, with Liverpool and Chelsea are tucked in behind.
Shock packages Brentford are seventh and are dreaming not simply of Europe, however of the Champions League.
BBC Sport assesses the runners and riders bidding to hitch Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis in qualifying for European membership soccer’s most profitable competitors.
Manchester United (third): P 28 Pts 51
Type WWDWW: Manchester United are determined to return to the Champions League after a two-season absence and are flying underneath caretaker boss Michael Carrick. He has six wins and a draw from his seven video games, taking 19 factors from 21.
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What Carrick says: [On going third] “It doesn’t suggest an terrible lot in the mean time. It is good, in fact it’s. We need to maintain progressing and shifting up the desk as a lot as we will and in that respect, it is a step right now.”
Run-in: Newcastle (A), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A).
Possibilities: United are the shape horse, with out Europe or the FA Cup to distract them, and they’re wanting favourites to make it again to the Champions League.
Aston Villa (4th): P 28 Pts 51
Type LDWDL: Harm-hit Villa have hit the buffers after their super eight-game successful run on the finish of 2025 – they’ve simply two victories from their previous seven league video games. Defeat by backside membership Wolves on Friday was a brand new low – Unai Emery’s facet look as in the event that they’re working on empty.
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What Emery says: “I do know it will likely be very troublesome to compete for the place within the Champions League as a result of now we have United and Liverpool close to us. They’re superb. They problem they usually have the facility to problem us.”
Run in: Chelsea (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Manchester Metropolis (A).
Possibilities: After wanting so good for thus lengthy, Villa have been caught by Manchester United and are at risk of slipping additional down the desk.
Liverpool (fifth): P 28 Pts 48
Type WWWLW: Liverpool are lastly discovering some constant type in a troublesome season. Champions League soccer is the least Arne Slot must ship after forking out £450m on final season’s Premier League winners.
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What Slot says: “We all know how vital it’s to qualify for the Champions League for the membership and us as a crew. The aim is there and we’re going to do every part to qualify and be nearer to the groups on prime.”
Run in: Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Manchester United (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H).
Possibilities: Liverpool – who haven’t completed outdoors the highest 5 since 2016 – seem like they’re timing their run to perfection.
Chelsea (sixth): P 28 Pts 45
Type LDDWW: Liam Rosenior would like to ship Champions League soccer to point out he’s making progress in what has been a turbulent season for Chelsea. Rosenior’s blue bandwagon has misplaced momentum after he made a successful begin they usually have taken simply two factors from their previous three league video games.
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What Rosenior says: “The good factor is now we have to play them [the teams around Chelsea]. If the extent of efficiency is there and we remedy our issues, now we have an ideal likelihood. However now we have to resolve the issues yesterday to have an opportunity.”
Run in: Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Manchester Metropolis (H), Manchester United (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A).
Possibilities: Rosenior must reboot his off-colour Blues, however Villa’s slide provides them an opportunity.
Brentford (seventh): P 28 Pts 43
Type WLDWW: Keith Andrews is a worthy contender for the supervisor of the season award – as many pundits tipped Brentford to battle after so many big-name departures in the summertime. They’re hitting type – solely Erling Haaland can prime Igor Thiago’s tally of 18 Premier League targets.
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What Andrews says: “I’ve not seemed on the desk. I do not suppose now we have modified place. Yeah, we simply maintain going and now we have a troublesome one on Tuesday in opposition to Bournemouth.”
Run in: Bournemouth (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (A), Everton (H), Fulham (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H), Manchester Metropolis (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A).
Possibilities: The Champions League is a protracted shot, however qualifying for Europe for the primary time would nonetheless be the membership’s best achievement.