The race for Champions League spots is wide open after Arsenal's win against Sporting Lisbon confirmed the Premier League will have five clubs in next season's tournament
Eddie Howe knows Newcastle United have their work cutout to qualify for the Champions League next season.
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Newcastle United know they have an awful lot of work to do if they want to qualify for next season's Champions League.. Beyond the clear financial benefits of competing in Europe's elite tournament, it also offers significant appeal in attracting top players during the summer transfer window.
Fortunately for the Magpies, clubs in England's top division now have greater chances of securing Champions League football after Arsenal's late win over Sporting Lisbon. That triumph means the Premier League will have at least five representatives in next season's competition, following impressive showings across all three UEFA tournaments.
Arsenal and Man City look nailed on for the top-two spots this season, but can Newcastle sneak in there?
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ChronicleLive examines each of the candidates and how the remainder of the season might unfold for them:
The Main Contenders
Manchester United -Michael Carrick has orchestrated an impressive transformation at Old Trafford since taking over from Ruben Amorim, to the extent that it would now take a significant collapse for United to miss out on Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils currently occupy third place and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth. Their task isn't complete, but a couple of victories before the campaign concludes should secure their position.
***Remaining fixtures:***Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottm Forest (H), Brighton (A) Aston Villa
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Aston Villa - After competing in the Europa League this season, Villa are determined to return to Europe's premier competition. Unai Emery's side currently sit fourth, five points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with seven matches left to play.
However, they have experienced a notable slump in form recently, securing just two victories in their last eight league fixtures. A win before the international break has eased some concerns. Villa will be hoping to secure their position before the final day, when they face a challenging trip to Manchester City.
Remaining fixtures: Nottm Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Man City (A)
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery(Image: (Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
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Liverpool - It has been a disappointing title defence for Arne Slot's team this season. The Reds have dropped to fifth and currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
With ten defeats to their name, the teams below them will be eager to close the gap. Chelsea are just one point behind, while the Merseyside derby against Everton will carry additional importance, with the Toffees close behind in the standings.
***Remaining fixtures:***Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man Utd (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H)
Chelsea - Chelsea have endured an unusual season, having replaced Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosenior, though neither manager has truly got the Blues firing. The Blues have suffered defeats in their last two Premier League matches, which has stalled their Champions League ambitions.
Chelsea sit sixth but are just a single point adrift of Liverpool in the battle for the final European spot. They are in desperate need of a strong run to get their campaign back on track, though a gruelling run-in could yet see them fall short.
***Remaining fixtures:***Man City (H), Man Utd (H), Brighton (A), Nottm Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A)
Chelsea players walk out of the tunnel at Stamford Bridge against Port Vale
Chelsea players walk out of the tunnel at Stamford Bridge(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Brentford - Should Chelsea continue to falter over the coming weeks, fellow Londoners Brentford will be looking to capitalise. The Bees have been impressive under Keith Andrews this season and could potentially secure a Champions League place for the very first time.
Their home form could prove crucial to their final position, with matches against Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace still to come. Away trips to Man Utd, Man City and Liverpool, however, present a far sterner test.
Remaining fixtures: Everton (H), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A), West Ham (H), Man City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A).
Everton - Level with Brentford on 46 points, a return to European football would represent a remarkable achievement for David Moyes and the Toffees. With just three points separating them from neighbours Liverpool, they will be eager to get one over on their local rivals.
They face a series of direct rivals in the weeks ahead, including clashes against Brentford, Liverpool and Sunderland.
Remaining fixtures: Brentford (A), Liverpool (H), West Ham (A), Man City (H), Crystal Palace (A), Sunderland (H), Tottenham (A)
The Outside Bets
Unfortunately for Newcastle, they're among the outsiders given their seven point gap to Liverpool in fifth and will need a near perfect run to get in there.
They've done it before under Eddie Howe, but it's something they've struggled to do throughout the current campaign, and several others could yet thrust themselves into the mix with a strong run-in.
Fulham currently sit ninth, just two points adrift of Everton, while Brighton and the Magpies' arch-rivals Sunderland trail by only a further point.
Newcastle are only just behind the Black Cats, with Bournemouth level on 42 points and still harbouring an outside chance of securing a place at Europe's top table next season.
***Newcastle's remaining fixtures:***Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H), Arsenal (A), Brighton (H), Nottingham Forest (A), West Ham (H), Fulham (A).