All Focus Shifts to Champions League Battle as Premier League Season Approaches Conclusion

The Premier League title race has concluded and relegation has been settled, yet the competition for Champions League qualification is still very much alive with only two fixtures remaining.

Currently, only Liverpool, the champions, have secured one of the five coveted spots for next season’s European elite tournament, while second-placed Arsenal seem poised to join them.

However, just four points stand between third-placed Newcastle and Nottingham Forest sitting in seventh.

AFP Sport highlights the key themes to watch for as we approach the weekend’s fixtures in the English Premier League.

Newcastle seeks to overtake Arsenal

Arsenal has been Liverpool’s closest competitor throughout the season, and not long ago seemed to have a firm grip on second place.

A win for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Emirates this Sunday could push the Magpies above the Gunners by a point, a team that has only managed one win in its last six league outings.

In contrast, Newcastle has been riding high after capturing the League Cup against Liverpool in mid-March, suffering only one defeat in their last eight league matches.

Their recent 2-0 triumph over Chelsea, a fellow top-five contender, has significantly bolstered their chances of securing Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.

“We still have two matches left and plenty of twists and turns may lie ahead,” said Howe. “We need to keep pushing.”

Newcastle’s final match on May 25 is at home against Everton, while Arsenal will head to face bottom-placed Southampton.

Villa and Chelsea aim for Europa League bonus

Aston Villa and Chelsea both have the opportunity to gain an advantage over their top-five competitors, as they face off against Europa League finalists Tottenham and Manchester United on Friday.

If Villa can secure a victory against Spurs, they could find themselves in fourth place, maintaining their strong form in the league despite exits from the Champions League and FA Cup in recent weeks.

Similarly, Chelsea, also on 63 points, could climb just behind third-placed Newcastle with a win, owing to a superior goal difference.

United and Spurs are precariously close to the relegation zone after disappointing campaigns, and their focus will likely turn to the upcoming Europa League final in Bilbao, prompting their managers to rest key players.

Villa’s hard-fought 1-0 victory at Bournemouth last weekend ensured their spot in European competition, but with a strong desire for Champions League football, manager Unai Emery aims to build on their quarter-final run this season.

Meanwhile, UEFA Conference League finalists Chelsea are keen to cap off Enzo Maresca’s inaugural season with European silverware and a return to the Champions League after a two-season absence.

Forest’s final opportunity

Nottingham Forest, two-time European champions, spent the majority of the season in the top four but have faltered at a critical juncture, leaving them as outsiders for Champions League qualification.

A damaging 2-2 draw against relegated Leicester on Sunday significantly hurt their aspirations of returning to the competition after an absence of over forty years.

Despite this setback, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains optimistic as they prepare to meet lowly West Ham this Sunday, followed by a challenging encounter with Chelsea in their last game of the season.

“Let’s see how it plays out,” said the Portuguese manager, whose side has already secured European football for next season. “We need to concentrate on West Ham… I assure you we’ll give it our all and never back down.”

Man City focused on strong finish

Manchester City, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, have had to adjust their expectations following a season that hasn’t met their typically high standards.

Despite a surprising 0-0 draw against Southampton in their last outing, they remain in a strong position to finish in the top five, with upcoming matches against Bournemouth and Fulham.

Pep Guardiola’s squad will not return to league action until Tuesday, three days after they contest the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

“I expected nothing different from a month ago; it’s a battle until the end,” Guardiola remarked, as his team seeks to avoid failing to capture a fifth consecutive Premier League title.