The race for Champions League football – Will Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City make it? | OneFootball

With nine games to go in the 2024/25 Premier League season, the title race and the relegation battle are on the verge of being settled.

Liverpool are 12 points clear at the top and on course to win their first title since 2020.

At the bottom, the three promoted teams from last season – Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City – are on their way back to the Championship.

However, the race for Champions League football is far from over. The Premier League is set to have five representatives next season, and several teams are in contention.

Read on as we assess who will join Liverpool in the Champions League next season.

Arsenal

Arsenal should seal qualification for the Champions League.

They face Fulham, Brentford and Crystal Palace at home before the end of April. They also visit Ipswich Town and Southampton, games that they will be big favourites to win.

Mikel Arteta’s men travel to Anfield on May 10 before hosting Newcastle United a week later, but they will be confident of having qualification sealed by then.

Predicted finish: Second

Manchester City

Four-time defending English champions Man City have lost nine league games this season, the most ever for a team managed by Pep Guardiola.

They have lacked consistency, but with the teams around them being just as unpredictable, they are still in contention for a Champions League place.

The Cityzens play three of the current bottom five in their remaining games and will back themselves for a final push to get the job done.

Predicted finish: Third

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been the surprise package of the season.

Seven of Forest’s nine remaining games are against teams currently in the bottom half of the table.

Trips to Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace could all be potential banana skins, but the Tricky Trees should get over the line.

Predicted finish: Fourth

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe’s side have a game in hand over the teams around them in the Premier League, and a win will take them above Chelsea into fourth place.

They have some tricky assignments remaining, including trips to Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.

However, they are fancied to grab fifth place in the Premier League.

Predicted finish: Fifth

Chelsea

The Blues are on a run of three defeats in five league games, and qualification for the Champions League looks in real danger.

Chelsea still have to face Fulham, Ipswich Town and Everton – all teams they failed to beat this season.

To make matters even more daunting, they end their season with matches against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Forest.

Predicted finish: Sixth

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