Premier League’s European Ambitions: Champions League Contenders. Champions League Contenders Liverpool’s recent string of seven consecutive Premier League victories has revived their chances in the Champions League race. Initially, it appeared to be a done deal a few weeks ago, but their impressive winning streak has brought them back into contention.
Manchester City and Arsenal have secured top-four finishes, while Newcastle and Manchester United seem the most likely candidates to join them.
Newcastle’s victory over Brighton on May 18 has significantly boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, although Eddie Howe expressed caution about looking too far ahead.
Liverpool is currently just one point behind Manchester United, but they have played one more game than their rivals.
Jurgen Klopp stated after their 3-0 win over Leicester on Monday that he believed a Champions League spot was unlikely, but emphasized the importance of being ready if their competitors stumbled. He expressed uncertainty about whether their competitors would indeed slip and whether Liverpool would be able to win both of their remaining games.
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Race For The Champions League: Contenders For The Top Spots
Manchester City, currently leading the Premier League with 85 points, could secure the Champions League title this season. Arsenal follows closely with 81 points, positioning them in second place. To clinch the league title, Manchester City must defeat Chelsea on Sunday, 21 May.
Newcastle, in third place with 69 points, needs just one victory from their remaining two matches to secure a top-four finish. Manchester United sits in fourth place with 66 points, but Liverpool is close behind with only one point separating them in fifth place.
Despite trailing by 12 points on 9 April, Liverpool’s recent strong performances have kept them in contention. Meanwhile, Manchester United has only won one of their last three games.
According to Nielsen’s Gracenote data experts, Newcastle now has a 91% chance of finishing in the top four, while Manchester United’s probability stands at 80%.
Liverpool’s chances have diminished from 45% to 30% following Newcastle’s win over Brighton.
If Manchester City goes on to win the Champions League, the team finishing fifth in the Premier League will not qualify for next year’s competition.
The scenario in which five English teams could qualify for the Champions League is if a Premier League club wins the tournament but fails to secure a top-four finish domestically.
Europa League: The Battle for European Glory
The Premier League’s fifth and sixth place secure spots in the Europa League, as Manchester City and Manchester United, the FA Cup finalists, will finish in the top six.
Liverpool currently holds fifth place, aiming for a higher position. They have a seven-point lead over sixth-placed Brighton, who have one game in hand. Tottenham and Aston Villa are just one point behind Brighton.
Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Nielsen’s Gracenote, has stated that Liverpool and Brighton are considered the most probable teams to participate in the Europa League group phase for the upcoming season.
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Europa Conference League
The team securing the seventh position will enter the Europa Conference League play-offs, as Manchester United, the winners of the Carabao Cup, have secured a Europa League spot through the league or FA Cup.
Nielsen’s Gracenote considers Tottenham as the frontrunner, with a 58% chance, among the teams currently vying for a Europa League place. Brentford, currently in ninth place with 53 points, holds a mere 1% chance of claiming that spot.
