LONDON, England — As Premier League clubs dey push to secure their place for European competitions next season, the race dey hot. The effort to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League dey intensify as top teams dey battle. With just three points separating the five teams in third to seventh place, the excitement no get any signs of stopping.
In Matchweek 33, Chelsea returned to their winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham, reclaiming their third place on the table. Manchester United faced off with Bournemouth and won their match, while Aston Villa shocked Leicester City with a 4-1 victory in another crucial game. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest caught fans’ attention with a 4-2 win over Brighton, as they push for European qualification.
Current Premier League standings show how competitive the table don become:
Position – Club – Played – Goal Difference – Points
1 – Liverpool – 33 – +44 – 79
2 – Arsenal – 33 – +34 – 66
3 – Chelsea – 34 – +23 – 61
4 – Manchester City – 33 – +14 – 60
5 – Newcastle – 33 – +18 – 59
6 – Aston Villa – 33 – +18 – 57
7 – Nottingham Forest – 34 – +5 – 57
Newcastle don already qualify for the UEFA Conference League because dem win the EFL Cup, but dem fit still aim for Champions League or Europa League spot. The top five teams in the Premier League fit qualify for next season’s Champions League as the league dey guarantee a top-two spot for English teams based on UEFA competitions performance this season.
If things play out right, England fit send six clubs for next season Champions League runs, as the top five teams plus the Europa League winners who end up outside the top five fit also get a spot.
Two spots dey up for grabs in the Europa League for English teams: one dey go to the fifth-placed finisher in the Premier League and the other to FA Cup winners. Meanwhile, EFL Cup winners like Newcastle fit also secure entry into the Conference League.
Newcastle don gain a European spot this season after dem end 56 years without a trophy in February. But the road to Europe no dey straightforward as different scenarios get the potential to reshape the table. Winners of Champions League and Europa League go automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League, while Conference League winners go fit push into Europa League. This make every match crucial for clubs chasing the opportunity.
As the season dey wind down, clubs still in contention for European spots include Manchester United and Tottenham, who currently dey struggle down the table at 14th and 15th place respectively after their disappointing campaigns.
Forest dey plan to capitalize on Tottenham’s inconsistency as their clash loom, with pressure mounting on them to perform. Villa don also show their ambition to return to Europe with nine wins in their last 10 matches, and they dey push for a Champions League spot.
Fulham also dey eye European qualification as dem sit at Ninth but face stiff competition from teams like Brighton and Bournemouth right on their heels. Their coach, Marco Silva, previously expressed hope in securing their place in European tournaments, but inconsistency might affect their goal.
With few matches left, the road to Europe dey narrow. Clubs going all out to secure the desired points do dey keep fans on the edge of their seats.
“We know say we dey under pressure right now, but e no go stop us from giving our all in the remaining matches,” Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, said after their latest victory, showing the determination kicking around the camps of teams chasing European glory.
