The race for Champions League qualification is intensifying as the Premier League season approaches its climax.
With Liverpool practically securing the title and the bottom three facing relegation, the focus is now firmly on the fight for European spots.
With English teams leading Uefa`s 2024-25 club coefficients, the Premier League is likely to gain a fifth Champions League qualification place.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, and Arsenal are almost guaranteed to play Champions League football next season.
This leaves the seven teams below them competing fiercely for the remaining spots as the season nears its end.
With seven games left, SunSport assesses the remaining schedules of each team contending for European qualification, ranking them from easiest to most challenging.
MAN CITY – 6TH, 52 POINTS
Current champions Manchester City have had a less dominant season by their standards but might be satisfied with Champions League qualification and an FA Cup victory.
Pep Guardiola`s team will play Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at home, with a potentially difficult away game against Everton in between.
If they navigate this period successfully, City will be confident facing Wolves at home, Southampton away (already relegated), and Bournemouth at home.
They will hope their final match against Fulham will be inconsequential for their opponents.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – 3RD, 57 POINTS
Nuno Espirito Santo`s team is currently in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League and will be optimistic about their remaining fixtures.
Forest have only lost twice at home this season and will feel confident in their upcoming home games against Everton, Brentford, and Leicester, who are likely to be relegated.
The Tricky Trees have also performed well away from home and will not be intimidated by away matches against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham.
They will conclude their season at home against Chelsea in a potentially exciting game, especially if Enzo Maresca`s Chelsea can reduce the current four-point gap between them.
BRIGHTON – 9TH, 47 POINTS
The Seagulls have significant ground to cover as they are currently six points behind Newcastle in fifth place.
Maximum points from seemingly winnable games against Leicester at home, Brentford away, and West Ham at home could propel them into contention before they host Newcastle on May 4.
Brighton will then travel to Wolves, who may have little to play for, before hosting Liverpool, who might have already secured the league title.
Fabian Hurzeler`s team will finish their season with an away game against Tottenham, who have been inconsistent.
ASTON VILLA – 7TH, 51 POINTS
Villa are still competing on multiple fronts, participating in the Champions League quarter-finals and the FA Cup semi-finals.
Their league season could also be remarkable as they are only two points behind Newcastle before their match against Southampton this weekend.
Unai Emery`s side has crucial home games against Newcastle and away against Manchester City, which could significantly impact the European qualification race.
Villa will then host Fulham, travel to Bournemouth, play Tottenham at home, and travel to Manchester United.
FULHAM – 8TH, 48 POINTS
Marco Silva`s team is five points behind the qualification spots, and apart from a game against Southampton on April 26, they face a challenging set of remaining fixtures.
This weekend, they travel to Bournemouth, who are just one place below them, before hosting Chelsea the following week.
After the Southampton game, they will play Aston Villa away, followed by a home game against Everton.
Fulham will conclude their season with a West London derby against Brentford and a home game against Manchester City.
NEWCASTLE – 5TH, 53 POINTS
Newcastle currently holds the final Champions League spot but needs to maintain their recent strong form to stay there.
Newcastle will host Manchester United and Crystal Palace in their next two games before a difficult away match against Aston Villa.
A more manageable home game against Ipswich will follow, before away games against Brighton and Arsenal, with a home game against Chelsea in between.
The Magpies will play Everton at St James` Park in their final game of the season.
CHELSEA – 4TH, 53 POINTS
Chelsea has been inconsistent recently, scoring only two goals in their last four Premier League matches.
After their home game against Ipswich this weekend, Chelsea faces a challenging run of fixtures, starting with a derby against Fulham on April 20.
