Four Unexpected Challengers Eyeing Champions League Football in the Premier League

The race for Champions League spots is heating up as the Premier League season approaches its final two months, while the title and relegation battles appear largely settled.

Liverpool has surged ahead with a commanding 12-point lead at the summit, setting the stage for what seems like an unmistakable path to the title. At the other end, Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton look set for an immediate drop back to the Championship.

Thanks to stellar performances by English clubs in European competitions, a top-five finish is almost guaranteed to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.

This quest for a place in Europe’s premier tournament has become exceptionally competitive, as the Premier League’s mid-table teams have exploited a disappointing season for Manchester United and Tottenham.

Chelsea and Manchester City currently sit in fourth and fifth place, collecting 49 and 48 points respectively, with nine matches remaining. However, both clubs still have considerable work ahead to establish consistent form.

AFP Sport explores the potential of four unexpected challengers vying for a Champions League spot:

Nottingham Forest may boast a rich history in European football, but they haven’t graced the European Cup since their triumphant run in 1980.

After spending 23 years away from the Premier League and battling to stave off relegation these past two seasons, Forest have surprised many by sitting just behind Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the table, and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team enjoys a seven-point advantage in their quest for a top-five finish, bolstered by a favourable run of fixtures.

In their last nine matches, Forest will only take on two teams from the upper half—Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Brighton (seventh, 47 points)

The Seagulls have gathered 13 points from the last possible 15, roaring back into Champions League contention under the fresh management of Fabian Hurzeler.

Things could have taken a wrong turn for the 32-year-old when his aggressively attacking strategy led to a shocking 7-0 defeat away to Forest last month.

Prior to this setback, Brighton had only managed two wins in their previous 12 Premier League matches, but they have rebounded brilliantly to keep hopes of their first entry into the Champions League alive.

Fulham (eighth, 45 points)

Fulham, who have yet to step onto the European stage, have entered the race after overcoming their own mid-season slump.

Marco Silva’s squad struggled, securing only two wins from ten matches between late November and mid-January, but they have turned things around lately, triumphing over Forest, Newcastle, and Tottenham in their last six league outings.

Nevertheless, they face a challenging path if they wish to compete in Europe for the first time in 14 years.

Upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Liverpool, followed by a finale at home against City, pose significant hurdles.

The Cherries’ aspirations for their inaugural European venture have suffered recently, with only a solitary point collected from their past four league fixtures.

Andoni Iraola’s side appeared fatigued prior to the international break and showcased further lethargy in an FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City on Sunday, despite initially leading.

The upcoming match against the struggling Ipswich offers Bournemouth a prime opportunity to reignite their bid for a top-five finish, especially as this squad is likely to face disbandment soon.

Interestingly, Iraola has emerged as a preferred candidate for Tottenham, should they part ways with Ange Postecoglou if the Australian fails to secure Europa League qualification.

Meanwhile, players like Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo are garnering interest from Liverpool, while Dean Huijsen’s talent has caught the eye of Real Madrid.