Evening Standard
·23 de mayo de 2025
Premier League permutations: What Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle need to qualify for Champions League

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·23 de mayo de 2025
Three more spots in Europe’s premier club competition are up for grabs
The Premier League final day sees Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest battle it out to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham - by virtue of their Europa League win - are guaranteed a place at Europe's top table next season, but there are still three places up for grabs.
Usually, it would just be the top four that qualifies, but due to the performance of the Premier League club's in Europe this season, an additional place is the reward which will provide drama on the final day.
What is interesting is the aforementioned quintet of teams will be playing in Europe next season, but they are still unsure as to whether they will be playing on Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday nights in 2025-26.
So it is all to play for and here we run you through the permutations for those sides.
Current position: 3rd
Final day fixture: Fulham (a)
Man City have plenty of experience when it comes to getting final day results
AFP via Getty Images
A 3-1 win over Bournemouth in midweek was crucial for Pep Guardiola's side as it means they are in control of their own destiny.
Victory away at Fulham will confirm third place, whilst a point should also be enough for a top-five finish by virtue of a superior goal difference to Aston Villa.
But if City lose and the three teams directly below them in the table all win, they will finish sixth to play in the Europa League next season.
Current position: 4th
Final day fixture: Everton (h)
Carabao Cup winners: Newcastle
PA Wire
By beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March, Newcastle are assured of a Conference League place for next season.
However, a win over Everton will be enough to secure Champions League football regardless of what happens elsewhere.
Failure to beat the Toffees would leave Eddie Howe's side at risk of dropping out of the top five. A draw means they would need Aston Villa to not win at Manchester United or Chelsea to draw with Nottingham Forest.
A loss leaves Newcastle needing Man Utd to beat Villa as this scenario would see them definitely fall behind either Chelsea or Forest regardless of the score in that match.
Current position: 5th
Final day fixture: Nottingham Forest (a)
Chelsea need one more win for Champions League qualification
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
It's a shootout for Champions League football at the City Ground on the final day.
Chelsea's task is straightforward; win and a top-five place is confirmed. That is unless Villa overturn run up a cricket score at Old Trafford for a 12-goal swing.
A draw for the Blues will also be enough as long as Villa don't beat Man Utd or Everton beat Newcastle.
Defeat to Forest almost certainly ends the Champions League dream as they would require the Magpies losing by three more goals than them to earn a reprieve.
Current position: 6th
Final day fixture: Manchester United (a)
Will Unai Emery lead Aston Villa back into the Champions League?
Getty Images
Villa are the form team heading into the final day, but they're the one of two sides not in control of their destiny.
Facing the beaten Europa League finalists at the best possible time should give Unai Emery's side hope, but even victory over Man United may not be enough for Champions League football.
A win, however, will be enough for Villa if either Newcastle or Chelsea drop points, or if Man City lose.
If Villa draw, there is no scenario in which they can finish above both Forest and Chelsea so they would need Newcastle to lose at home to Everton.
Defeat at Old Trafford coupled with a Forest win pushes Villa down to seventh unless the Blues lose by a record scoreline.
Current position: 7th
Final day fixture: Chelsea (h)
City Ground will be rocking as Nottingham Forest host Chelsea
AFP via Getty Images
At one point it seemed Forest were nailed on for Champions League qualification, but a dip in form at the worst possible stage of the season sees them start the day outside of the top-five.
Just like Villa, they have to win and hope for a favour - or two - from elsewhere. Beating Chelsea at home would only be half of the job as they would need one of Newcastle or Villa to not win their respective fixtures.
A draw would only be enough for a top-five finish if Villa lose and Newcastle also lose to Everton by at least 10 goals.