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Champions League permutations: Premier League set for almighty top-5 race with just ONE POINT separating 3rd and 7th


THE Premier League’s title race and relegation battle have both long been settled.

But the tussle for Champions League qualification is set to go down to the wire.

Newcastle and Chelsea are involved in the Champions League tussleCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Aston Villa and Manchester City are also battling for a Champions League spotCredit: Alamy
Nottingham Forest beat West Ham 2-0 earlier todayCredit: Reuters

Title winners Liverpool have long been assured of their place, while Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle secured their place at Europe’s top table for next season.

The Toon, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest remain in a dog fight for Europe.

City sit sixth in the table, but have played a game fewer than their Champions League-chasing rivals.

Should Pep Guardiola’s side beat Bournemouth at the Etihad on Tuesday, they will vault up to third, on 68 points.

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Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa are tied on 66 points.

The Toon’s goal difference is two better than the Blues’, while Villa’s is eleven back from Chelsea’s.

Forest are then a point back on 65, currently behind City on goal difference.

Should City beat Bournemouth, a victory at Fulham on the final day would secure third place.

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Newcastle will host Everton next Sunday and will guarantee a Champions League place with a win.

Chelsea will make a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest in a do-or-die clash.

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Enzo Maresca’s side must avoid defeat against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men to stay above them.

Should the Blues draw, they would be overtaken by Aston Villa if Unai Emery’s side beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In order to qualify, Forest will need to beat Chelsea and hope that one of Newcastle or Villa fail to win on the final day, or that City fail to win either of their remaining two matches.

Whoever comes sixth will qualify for the Europa League.

Should Chelsea fall to sixth, seventh could also carry a Europa League place – if the Blues win the Conference League.

Otherwise, seventh will carry with it a Conference League spot.

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A sixth English team will also qualify for the Champions League.

The winner of Wednesday night’s Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United will earn a place in Uefa’s premier competition for next season.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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