The battle for the Premier League top five and Champions League qualification will come down to the final day with five sides battling for the remaining three spots.
Newcastle, Manchester City and Chelsea ultimately have it in their hands. Win their remaining game, or in City’s case get at least four points from two, and they will be guaranteed a spot in the top five.
Nottingham Forest can spoil Chelsea’s hopes and leapfrog them in the table when Enzo Maresca’s side head to the City Ground, opening up the opportunity for Aston Villa to claim a UCL spot with a victory at Old Trafford.
Paul Merson, Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand were all in agreement that Newcastle will still secure Champions League football despite Sunday’s setback at the Emirates.
Declan Rice’ well-taken goal prevented us from going four unbeaten against Arsenal this season, and from guaranteeing a spot in the Champions League for 2025/26. But there is still plenty of reason to be positive.
We now go into the final day knowing a win over Everton will be enough to guarantee a spot in the top five, with our goal difference far superior to Aston Villa’s, and all three pundits in the studio at the Emirates are backing us to get the job done.
Merson kicked off the top-five debate, saying: “I would have to go with Newcastle being safe, and I only say that because Everton have got not a lot to play for. My worry is Man City.
“Their last two games they’ve failed to score, Bournemouth’s a dangerous game and if they don’t get anything out of that – this is the one they need to get a point out of, because if they do it’s back in their hands, if they lose then it’s out of their hands.”
“I think Chelsea have got the toughest game,” added Jamie Redknapp. “To go to Nottingham Forest is really difficult, if they can get three points there then obviously they’re giving themselves Champions League football. It’s going to be tight, anything can still happen.
“The easiest fixture is probably Aston Villa, because they’ve got Manchester United away. None of us know what’s going to happen on Wednesday night, that’s going to be a crazy game.
“Anything can still happen. I think Manchester City will get in there, I think Chelsea have the toughest fixture and they’re the team I worry about the most.”
Les Ferdinand added: “Last game of the season, at home, you’d expect \[Newcastle\] to beat Everton because Everton have got nothing to play for they can’t even move up or drop down a place.”
As it stands Newcastle occupy third spot, though they may drop to fourth by the final day depending on the result between Manchester City and Bournemouth this evening.
Newcastle have a job to do and mustn’t take Everton lightly on Sunday despite the Toffees having nothing to play for. Win and we’re in the Champions League, lose and we’re at risk of dropping out the top five at the final hurdle.
1. **Liverpool** – 83pts (+45 GD)
2. **Arsenal** – 71pts (+34 GD)
3. **Newcastle** – 66pts (+22 GD)
4. **Chelsea** – 66pts (+20 GD)
5. **Aston Villa** – 66pts (+9 GD)
6. **Man City** – 65pts (+24 GD)-
7. **Nottingham Forest** – 65pts (+13 GD)
Who do you see making the top five come 6pm on Sunday?