The Premier League will once again qualify for next season’s Champions League after Arsenal’s performance in the competition, and many teams will be aiming for that chance.
Five Premier League clubs will participate in the Champions League next season (Image: Getty Images)
Qualifying for the Champions League could determine the season for Premier League clubs. Not only is being part of Europe’s top-tier competition an obvious financial incentive, but it also provides significant funding for teams looking to sign top talent in the summer window.
And fortunately, clubs in England’s top flight now have an increasing chance of securing Champions League qualification. Arsenal’s late win against Sporting Lisbon means the Premier League is guaranteed to have at least five clubs in next season’s tournament thanks to good results in all three UEFA competitions.
The Gunners and Premier League title rivals Manchester City are already all but certain of a place, but who could join them?
Mirror Football takes a look at each candidate and how the rest of the season will play out.
read more: Eight players could miss PSG vs. Liverpool Champions League match as Arne Slott gives boostread more: Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea will be promoted to the Champions League after Arsenal’s victory
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Main candidates
manchester united
Michael Carrick has staged an eye-catching turnaround at Old Trafford since replacing Ruben Amorim, to the point that a major collapse will be necessary as United miss out on next season’s Champions League.
The Red Devils currently sit in third place, seven points behind sixth place. Their work isn’t done yet, but a few wins before the end of the campaign should get them over the line.
Remaining fixtures: Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Notum Forest (H), Brighton (A)
Michael Carrick puts Man United on the brink of Champions League qualification (Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa
Villa, who were in the Europa League this season, remain keen to return to the top table of European football. Unai Emery’s side currently sit fourth in the table, five points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with seven games remaining.
However, they have endured a significant downturn in recent months, winning just two of their last eight league games. But a win before the international break eased some nerves. Villa will be hoping to wrap everything up before the final day, when they face a tough battle against Manchester City.
Remaining fixtures: Nottom Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Man City (A)
liverpool
It has been a disastrous title defense for Arne Slott’s side this season. The Reds have fallen to fifth place and will qualify for the final spot in the Champions League.
However, having lost 10 games, the chasing pack will be keen to catch the reigning champions. Chelsea sit just one point behind, but the Merseyside derby with Everton will be even more important with the Toffees right behind them in the table.
Remaining fixtures: Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man United (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H)
chelsea
Chelsea had a strange season, sacking Enzo Maresca and bringing in Liam Rosenior, but neither could get the Blues back on track. Chelsea have lost their last two Premier League games, leaving their hopes of advancing to the Champions League in jeopardy.
The Londoners are in sixth place, just one point behind Liverpool in the race for the final spot. They will certainly need a good performance to get back on track, but they could miss out on a difficult stretch late in the season.
Remaining fixtures: Man City (H), Man United (H), Brighton (A), Notum Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A)
Chelsea have been stagnant in recent weeks (Image: Getty Images)
brentford
If Chelsea continue to stagnate over the coming weeks, fellow Londoners Brentford will be looking to take advantage of the gap. The Bees have performed well under manager Keith Andrews this season and could qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
With games against Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace coming up, their form at home could be key to their final position. Away games against Man United, Man City and Liverpool will be a much bigger challenge.
Remaining fixtures: Everton (H), Fulham (H), Man United (A), West Ham (H), Man City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A).
everton
A return to Europe would be a great return for David Moyes and the Toffees as they join Brentford on 46 points. And with only three points separating them from close rivals Liverpool, they will relish the chance to beat their neighbours.
They face a number of direct rivals in the coming weeks, with games against Brentford, Liverpool and Sunderland coming up.
Remaining fixtures: Brentford (A), Liverpool (H), West Ham (A), Man City (H), Crystal Palace (A), Sunderland (H), Tottenham (A)
Manager David Moyes could secure Champions League qualification for Everton (Image: Getty Images)
outside bet
While there appears to be a group chasing the final Champions League spot, there is also a good chance that a number of other groups could finish the season strong and join the fray. Fulham are ninth, two points behind Everton, with Brighton and Sunderland a further point behind.
North-east rivals Newcastle are narrowly behind the Black Cats, but Bournemouth are level with them on 42 points and still have a chance of sealing a place at Europe’s top table next season.
Fulham remaining games: Liverpool (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (H), Arsenal (A), Bournemouth (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
Brighton remaining games: Burnley (A), Spurs (A), Chelsea (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (A), Man United (H)
Sunderland’s remaining games: Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Notem Forest (H), Wolves (A), Man United (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (A)
Newcastle’s remaining games: Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H), Arsenal (A), Brighton (H), Notum Forest (A), West Ham (H), Fulham (A)
Bournemouth’s remaining games: Arsenal (A), Newcastle (A), Leeds (H), Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), Man City (H), Notam Forest (A)
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