Premier League Champions League Race: Who Will Qualify and Who Will Miss Out?
The race for Champions League qualification is really beginning to heat up in this season’s Premier League. Some of the league’s biggest clubs are involved in the chase for a Top 4 or Top 5 finish, depending on whether the
Premier League earns that extra spot.
The title race may now be down to just Arsenal and Manchester City, but the battle for a Champions League spot next season looks like being just as exciting and interesting a race for those teams hoping to reach the biggest club competition in the world.
What Teams Are Involved?
It’s safe to assume that Arsenal and Manchester City are guaranteed qualification, which leaves two definite spots for those clubs involved in the Champions League race. There is a strong possibility that England will achieve a 5th spot like they did last season, which brings even more teams into the mix for qualification.
If we go on the basis that 5 teams will qualify, Newcastle, down in 11th currently, cannot be completely ruled out from obtaining 5th place, especially if they go on a winning run between now and the end of the season.
Currently, Aston Villa in 3rd on 51 points, Manchester United in 4th on 48 points, Chelsea in 5th on 45, and Liverpool in 6th, also on 45 points, look like the 4 most likely teams that are going to battle it out for those 3 remaining places. 3 more places.
Behind Liverpool sit Brentford, on 40 points; Bournemouth, on 38 points; Everton, on 37; Fulham, on 37; and Newcastle, on 36.
None of these teams bar Newcastle have European football to worry about, and as unlikely as it looks given the calibre of teams above them, it can’t be overlooked that one of these teams may put together a strong end of season and challenge their more illustrious rivals.
Who Has The Toughest Fixtures Left?
Manchester United have certainly had a spring in their step since Michael Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim, and they will hope that momentum can carry them all the way to a Top 4/5 finish by the end of the season.
They still have to play Aston Villa and Liverpool at Old Trafford, while they face potentially tough away fixtures against Chelsea and Newcastle over the coming weeks. They also have to visit Bournemouth and play Brentford at home, with their other 5 matches coming against sides in the bottom half of the table.
Chelsea are still involved in the Champions League but will still need to remain focused if they want to try and clinch a place in next season’s competition through their league finish this season.
Liam Rosenior’s team has a tough run of games coming up, starting with trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa, followed by a home game with Newcastle. They also face an away trip to Liverpool and home matches with Manchester City, Manchester United and London rivals Tottenham.
Liverpool, like Chelsea, are still in the Champions League but will still fancy their chances of clinching a top 5 finish by the end of the campaign.
They will view their next 4 games, at home to West Ham and Spurs and away to Wolves and Brighton, as winnable games which could put them in a good position by the time some tougher fixtures come in April and May.
During the final 2 months of the season, they face trips to Old Trafford, Villa Park and the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton in a Merseyside Derby. They will also welcome Chelsea and Brentford to Anfield.
Aston Villa have the benefit of currently having a 6-point lead over Chelsea and Liverpool, but they are still in the Europa League and are facing something of an injury crisis in midfield as we get to the business end of the season.
They play Chelsea and Manchester United in consecutive games in March but should not be overawed by any of their other remaining games until their last 2 fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Winning the Europa League is another avenue to next season’s Champions League for Villa, and given Unai Emery’s history in that tournament, it can’t be ruled out.
Of the other sides in the top half, Brentford don’t face a team currently ranked above them in the table again until they play Manchester United on April 24th, so they will hope to keep European aspirations going,
while Bournemouth are unbeaten in 7 league games and look to be getting their full squad back as we enter the final 11 games. The Cherries still have to play Newcastle, both Manchester clubs and Arsenal, but on their day can give anyone a game.
Conclusion
As the race for Champions League qualification hots up, Villa have the benefit of a gap to Chelsea and Liverpool, but injuries and their Europa League run could curtail them. They have put themselves in a good position, however, and will be bitterly disappointed if they miss out from here.
United have also found form and results at the right time and look good for qualification, which means if the Premier League gets their expected 5 places, it looks like it will come down to Chelsea and Liverpool for that final spot.
Stay tuned for more weekly sports content.
Liam Lacey
Liam is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA and Football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also!). Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and International Football offering expert opinion and match previews and predictions. Occasionally even getting some right!