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Five teams a locked in a epic battle for Champions League football going down to the wire on the final matchday.
The English Premier League is poised for an epic final matchday showdown as five teams battle it out for Champions League spots.
The weekend’s fixtures blew the race for European football open, with just a point separating third and seventh place.
While Liverpool and Arsenal are safe in first and second place respectively, the remaining spots are still up for grabs.
Pulse Sports looks at the race for Champions League spots and how each team can secure European football next season.
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5. Nottingham Forest – 65 Points
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Nottingham Forest are perhaps the most disadvantaged team in the race, as their fate is no longer in their hands.
Having won their fixture against West Ham 2-1 over the weekend, Forest gave themselves a fighting chance, sitting in 7th on 65 points.
However, even if they win their final matchday clash against Chelsea on Sunday, their fate to secure UCL football next season depends on results elsewhere.
Forest would need those above them to drop points in order to have any hopes of qualification for the three remaining spots.
4. Manchester City – 65 Points
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Manchester City dropped out of the top five following their rescheduled fixture against Bournemouth, poised for Tuesday.
Currently placing sixth, perhaps Pep Guardiola’s men are best positioned to secure UCL football with their fate completely in their hands.
The Cityzens need to win their rescheduled fixture against Bournemouth and repeat the feat on the final day against Fulham to secure third place and somewhat salvage what has been an uncharacteristic season for them.
3. Aston Villa – 66 Points
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Aston Villa place fifth on the log but are just behind those above them by goal difference.
Their 2-0 win over Tottenham over the weekend strengthened their case going into the final matchday.
However, they too face a difficult task, as they might still miss out on UCL football with their fate no longer in their hands—even if they win against Manchester United on the final day.
The massive goal difference of 11 goals between them and Chelsea above requires the Blues and Newcastle to lose for them to have a chance.
2. Chelsea – 66 Points
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The battle between Chelsea and Newcastle above them is perhaps the most contentious one.
With just a two-goal difference separating them, anything could happen on the final day.
However, Chelsea face a hurdle in Nottingham Forest, who are just as hungry for a Champions League spot, setting up a thrilling final matchday encounter.
1. Newcastle – 66 Points
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Newcastle are among the few teams in the race with their fate in their hands.
Despite losing to Arsenal 1-0 over the weekend, Newcastle have a fighting chance, with their qualification depending on their win.
However, things could get tricky for them depending on the margin of goal difference, as Chelsea have the possibility of leapfrogging them—pushing them further down the pecking order with a big win margin. But they’d still manage to secure European football.
The Magpies face Everton for a chance to bring UCL football to St. James’ Park.
With all five teams still having a chance to qualify, the final matchday seems poised for exhilarating battles in the race for Champions League football.
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