Arya News - Five teams are fighting for three places as they enter the final five matches of the Premier League season
City’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
2 May: Wolves (H)
10 May: Southampton (A)
18 May: Bournemouth (H)
25 May: Fulham (A)
Nottingham Forest
Points: 60 (played 33)
Forest’s win over Spurs means that they enter the final five gameweeks in a slightly more commanding position than their rivals as they look to return to European Cup participation for the first time since 1980.
The two-time winners are well-placed to do so too, was they face two of the most out-of-form sides in the league in Leicester and West Ham, as well as a Palace side who shipped 10 goals across their matches against Newcastle and Manchester City.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side must contend an FA Cup semi-final against City this weekend, before they return to league action against Brentford on 1 May, but it could all come down to a final-day clash at home to Chelsea.
Forest are looking to return to the European Cup for the first time since 1980 (Getty Images)
Forest’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
1 May: Brentford (H)
5 May: Crystal Palace (A)
11 May: Leicester (H)
18 May: West Ham (A)
25 May: Chelsea (H)
Newcastle United
Points: 59 (played 33)
Eddie Howe’s side were flying high after their Carabao Cup triumph and dominant wins over Manchester United and Palace, but they were quickly brought down to Earth with that drubbing against Villa.
And the Magpies will have to navigate a fairly difficult set of fixtures if they are to return to the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, as they face Arsenal and Chelsea on consecutive weekends before finishing the season at home to Everton.
This means that their next fixture – versus Ipswich this weekend – is a must-win, while they’ll have to be careful about slipping up against Brighton too, with the Seagulls having beaten them twice already this season.
Newcastle"s 4-1 loss to Villa could prove a damaging result in the race for the Champions League spots (Getty Images)
Newcastle’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
26 April: Ipswich (H)
4 May: Brighton (A)
11 May: Chelsea (H)
18 May: Arsenal (A)
25 May: Everton (H)
Chelsea
Points: 57 (played 33)
Though Chelsea are still well-positioned to make the top five, some of their fans will be wondering how it’s this close after being second in December.
A poor run of form has led to some discontent at the Bridge, but the dramatic comeback win over Fulham has restored some belief ahead of arguably the toughest run of fixtures out of the these five clubs.
There is certainly no ‘easy’ game remaining for the Blues, as they face Everton and Liverpool at the Bridge before the final home game of the season against Manchester United is sandwiched between difficult away trips to fellow top-five chasers Newcastle and Forest.
It could all come down to those last three fixtures for Enzo Maresca and his young side.
Neto"s late winner at the weekend ensured Chelsea remain in the competition for the top five (Getty Images)
Chelsea’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
26 April: Everton (H)
4 May: Liverpool (H)
11 May: Newcastle (A)
16 May: Manchester United (H)
25 May: Nottingham Forest (A)
Aston Villa
Points: 57 (played 34)
Villa briefly looked like their Champions League charge had faltered, but some brilliant recent form – coupled with the general feeling around the club after reaching the competition’s quarter-final and FA Cup semi-final – has propelled them back into contention.
Defeat to Manchester City was a blow, and they face potential stumbling blocks in the form of Bournemouth and Fulham, who themselves are chasing lower European competition.
However, Villa may be able to count on wins in their last two matches against Spurs and United as they look to qualify for the competition in back-to-back seasons.
Before that though, an FA Cup semi-final against Palace beckons this weekend, and the result there could have a huge impact on the end of Villa’s season.
Villa will be looking to emulate this season"s successful Champions League campaign next term (Getty Images)
Villa’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
3 May: Fulham (H)
10 May: Bournemouth (A)
18 May: Tottenham (H)
25 May: Manchester United (A)