Next season, England will have six teams in the Champions League. Currently, Liverpool and Arsenal are confirmed, while Manchester United or Tottenham will secure a place for the elite, depending on who wins Wednesday’s match and the Europa League.

Five clubs are competing for the last three positions. Although not all have equal chances, each team has hope, battling it out are Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City has had a challenging season, missing the title race early on, getting knocked out of the Champions League too soon, and losing in the FA Cup final. However, the only outcome worse than what has transpired so far would be if Pep Guardiola‘s team fails to secure a Champions League berth.

It’s been surprising, but the “citizens” have not been performing at their usual level, making the end of the season complicated, especially after an unexpected draw against Southampton a week ago.

Nonetheless, City holds the best position among the contenders, as they have two matches remaining—tonight against Bournemouth and away on Sunday against Fulham. A full six points will guarantee them a Top 5 finish; four may suffice, and there’s even a chance that one win could do it.

– We put ourselves in this situation, and now we need to solve it – Guardiola remarked following the disappointment of losing to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

6

The Premier League will have a representative in the Champions League next season. Liverpool and Arsenal have secured their places through the league, and the six spot will go to the Europa League winner – either Manchester United or Tottenham.

Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are all level at 66 points, while City and Nottingham Forest are just one point behind. The Magpies have a clear path ahead; if they defeat Everton at home in the final match, they will qualify for the Champions League, albeit potentially without their star player, Alexander Isaac. A single point will also be enough for Newcastle, but they would need at least two other match outcomes to go their way.

Chelsea, set to face Nottingham Forest on the road, has a straightforward goal: a win guarantees a Top 5 spot. If they draw, they rely on City to lose both remaining games, Everton to best Newcastle, and Aston Villa to lose against Manchester United. Given these scenarios, the Blues are focused on securing all three points.

66

Before the final round, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are tied at 66 points, with Manchester City (with two remaining matches) and Nottingham Forest closely behind.

Nottingham Forest understands the urgency; they must win, though that alone won’t guarantee a Champions League spot—it will hinge on other results as well. To secure their place at the “City Ground,” they’ll need City to earn no more than two points in their two matches, Villa to lose against United, and Newcastle to not outdo Everton.

In the Premier League, goal difference is pivotal in case of a tie. Currently, City boasts a +24, Newcastle +22, followed by Chelsea at +20, Forest at +13, and Aston Villa with a +9 goal difference.

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