The finish line is in sight, but nothing is settled yet.
While Liverpool need a maximum of 16 more points to win the Premier League title, the race for Europe remains wide open, with only five points separating fourth place from 10th. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is still ongoing.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
30 | +43 | 73 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
30 | +30 | 61 |
| 3 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
30 | +15 | 57 |
| 4 |
Man City
MCI
|
30 | +17 | 51 |
Every remaining fixture now carries extra weight and every point matters.
Here are the some key matches that could define the season.
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If there’s any twist left in the title race, it surely has to start with the Merseyside derby. Liverpool’s lead could shrink from 12 points to single digits if Arsenal beat Fulham at home the night before Arne Slot’s Reds host Everton. At Goodison Park earlier this year, Everton showcased their ability to disrupt their rivals, holding them to a 2-2 draw, and the Blues would love nothing more than to throw another spanner into the works.
For Liverpool, it’s about keeping control of the title race as they have done for much of the campaign. Fail to take maximum points here and Arsenal may sense an opportunity.
There were many who predicted a mid-season drop-off for Nottingham Forest but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have refused to fade from the UEFA Champions League conversation.
With Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio adding a new dimension to Aston Villa's attack they are a formidable opponent, but Forest have made a habit of responding when doubted.
This could prove to be a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final; Forest and Villa have been drawn apart in the semi-finals, against Manchester City and Crystal Palace respectively.
Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves hovering uncomfortably close to the bottom three, and without top scorer Matheus Cunha, still serving his suspension, their challenge against Ipswich Town becomes even tougher.
Kieran McKenna’s side will see this as a must-win encounter, knowing that this is one of Ipswich's best remaining chances to pick up points.
Perhaps one of the unlikeliest battles for a place in Europe beckons at Vitality Stadium. Only one point separates these two teams, and with AFC Bournemouth’s home form marked by wins over Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham Hotspur, they will hope that form continues as the Cherries look to secure European qualification for the first time in their history.
But Fulham, themselves eyeing a place in Europe for the first time since 2011/12, have quietly built momentum and boast four wins in their last six matches.
It is ironic that Villa’s participation in the Champions League this season is exactly what threatens their qualification for the competition next year. Their league record after midweek European games is poor - just two wins in nine attempts - and they host Paris Saint-Germain just days before they play Newcastle United.
For the Magpies, already with a trophy in hand following their EFL Cup final success, Alexander Isak’s form could be the difference as they look to secure their place in Europe’s elite competition.
Both west London bragging rights and European ambitions are on the line. For Chelsea, Champions League qualification will be a key marker of success for Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge, while Fulham look to return to European competition.
With key players such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke returning from injury, Chelsea will expect a late-season push, but Fulham’s consistency makes them a tricky obstacle for the Blues.
Though Vitor Pereira has steered Wolves away from the relegation zone, the job isn’t done just yet.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City have just two wins from his 16 league matches in charge and the Foxes need a response. Failure to get one here could be costly for retaining their Premier League status.
Manchester City v Aston Villa (date TBC)
Man City would certainly not have expected to be relying on fifth place for Champions League qualification heading into the season, but a frustrating campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men means that is the reality as they currently sit behind Liverpool, Arsenal, Forest and Chelsea in the table.
Further down in ninth position, Villa’s deep run in Europe has come at a cost to their league form, and as such, both teams are in desperate need of the points.
A new date will have to be found for their league meeting, after the two sides booked their places in the FA Cup semi-finals on the weekend of 26-27 April.
Brighton & Hove Albion have already beaten Newcastle twice this season, including an FA Cup knockout, and with both teams level on points and eager for a Champions League finish, this is a must-win.
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By the time Mikel Arteta’s side visit Anfield, Liverpool could already be champions. If not, this fixture might be their final hurdle. Arsenal fans will remember 2020, when they were forced to give Liverpool a guard of honour. They will be determined to avoid a repeat if possible.
Newcastle beat Chelsea on the road to their historic EFL Cup win and will be hoping for a repeat result in the league.
The Magpies are just two points behind the Blues, and with Chelsea potentially balancing a Conference League semi-final should they get past Legia Warsaw in the last eight, their focus could be split at the worst possible time.
Bournemouth’s European football dreams could hinge on this match, after their dreams of securing a place in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup were shattered by their quarter-final defeat to City. The Blues might also be relying on this fixture to secure their own place in next year’s Champions League.
The final day
There is usually drama on the last day of the season - and it is unlikely to be any different this year. Forest, chasing a top-four finish, have had one of the league’s best defences but Chelsea, with one of the best Expected Goals (xG) records in the league, will hope to break them down. If Champions League qualification is still on the line, this could be the decider.
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