Chelsea's run-in results predicted as the Blues look to secure a spot in next season's Champions League
09:00, 21 Mar 2026
Pedro Neto of Chelsea reacts toward Moises Caicedo during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea are battling to secure Champions League football(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
The battle for the remaining Champions League places behind Arsenal and Manchester City is heating up.
A fourth-place finish has traditionally been the benchmark for qualification to UEFA's premier club competition. However, in recent years, an additional spot has been made available for the two nations that perform strongest across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Newcastle United capitalised on the extra berth last season and despite English clubs' mixed performances in the Champions League knockout stage this term, including Chelsea crashing out to PSG, fifth place looks set to be sufficient again.
The Blues, along with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool, are in contention, meaning at least one will miss out and have to settle for Europa League football. football.london predicts each club's remaining fixtures and final positions...
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Man United
Current position: 3rd
Points: 55
Goal difference: +13
Leeds (h): The visitors will be battling for their Premier League survival but may not have enough to stop United. Prediction: United 2-0 Leeds.
Chelsea (a): A genuine six-pointer that could go either way. A draw looks like a fair bet. Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 United.
Brentford (h): Keith Andrews' outfit have been among the season's standout performers, but the Bees are unlikely to leave Old Trafford with anything. Prediction: United 2-1 Brentford.
Liverpool (h): United will be aiming to secure a league double over their fiercest rivals but might have to settle for a draw. Prediction: United 1-1 Liverpool.
Sunderland (a): The Black Cats have faded in the second half of the campaign and United should capitalise. Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 United.
Nottingham Forest (h): Forest will be battling for their Premier League survival. It could be tense. Prediction: Forest 1-1 United.
Brighton (a): A Seagulls team comfortably positioned in mid-table represents perfect final-day opposition. Prediction: Brighton 1-3 United.
Final points: 70
Michael Carrick pictured arriving at a game
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Michael Carrick has led Man United into Champions League contention(Image: Getty)
Aston Villa
Current position: 4th
Points: 51
Goal difference: +3
West Ham (h): The in-form relegation contenders won't be easy to overcome. Prediction: Villa 1-1 West Ham.
Nottingham Forest (a): A challenging away fixture, but with Forest struggling in front of goal, Villa should claim victory. Prediction: Forest 0-1 Villa.
Sunderland (h): A crucial encounter in Villa's pursuit of Champions League qualification. Prediction: Villa 2-0 Sunderland.
Fulham (a): A difficult trip against a dangerous Fulham outfit. Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Villa.
Tottenham (h): Despite Spurs showing some fight finally, Villa should still prevail. Prediction: Villa 2-1 Spurs.
Burnley (a): The Clarets should be relegated by then. Another must-win fixture. Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Villa.
Liverpool (h): Another six-pointer in the Champions League race. It could be a cracker. Prediction: Villa 2-2 Liverpool.
Man City (a): A daunting fixture on paper but with City's title aspirations likely to have faded by then, Villa have an opportunity to snatch something. Prediction: 1-1 Villa.
Final points: 66
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
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Unai Emery is juggling the Premier League and the Europa League(Image: PA)
Liverpool
Current position: 5th
Points: 49
Goal difference: +9
Brighton (a): Buoyed by the Champions League victory over Galatasaray, Liverpool should secure a vital three points. Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Liverpool.
Fulham (h): Tricky opponents on their day but Arne Slot's side should come out on top. Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham.
Everton (a): The Reds' first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium will be a stern test. Prediction: Everton 1-1 Liverpool.
Crystal Palace (h): The Eagles should be completely safe by then, making them ideal opponents. Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Palace.
Man United (a): See above. Prediction: United 1-1 Liverpool.
Chelsea (h): Against a struggling Blues side, Liverpool could prevail. Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea.
Aston Villa (a): See above. Villa 2-2 Liverpool.
Brentford (h): Liverpool may face a stern challenge against a Bees side that could require points to secure European football themselves. Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Brentford.
Final points: 65
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
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Arne Slot is under pressure following a disappointing title defence(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea
Position: 6th
Points: 48
Goal difference: +18
Everton (a): A difficult away fixture for a side still smarting from their Champions League exit. Prediction: Everton 2-1 Chelsea.
Man City (h): The Blues could galvanise themselves to inflict further damage on City's fading title challenge. Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 City.
Man United (h): See above. Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 United.
Brighton (a): A must-win match for the Blues. Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest (h): Forest can defend but struggle to find the net. Expect a dull stalemate. Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Forest.
Head Coach Liam Rosenior of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on March 10, 2026 in Cobham, England
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Liam Rosenior is already feeling the heat as Chelsea boss(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool (a): See above. Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea.
Tottenham (h): The Blues would relish nothing more than sending Spurs down, and they may well achieve it. Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs.
Sunderland (a): The Blues can conclude the season with a victory but it could prove too little, too late for a Champions League berth. Prediction: Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea.
Final points: 60
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Verdict: Should these results materialise, United will secure third place, with Villa and Liverpool, who could be distracted by their continued European involvement, rounding out the top five. Chelsea would be the team consigned to the Europa League.