The final matchday of the 2024/25 Premier League sees the focus firmly on the race for the Champions League places. Just three points separate Manchester City in third and Nottingham Forest in seventh.
By Sam McGuire
With the top five claiming a place in the Champions League next term, two from City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Forest are going to miss out. Everything else is already confirmed. We know Liverpool are the champions while Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City will all be playing Championship football next season.
So, here’s what to look out for this weekend.
A must-win for Aston Villa
Right then, for Aston Villa to finish in one of the Champions League places, a few things need to happen.
If Newcastle lose to Everton, a draw will be enough for Unai Emery’s men against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. If Newcastle pick up a point against the Toffees, a win would guarantee the Villans a top five finish.
However, if Chelsea lose to Forest, Villa need to win to claim a Champions League place if Newcastle avoid defeat at St James’ Park.
It is a bit complicated so the easiest thing to do for Villa would be to take the game to a lacklustre Manchester United team and pick up maximum points. Even that might not be enough if other teams get positive results, but it gives them the best chance of finishing in the top five.
For the Red Devils, there’s not much at stake. They can finish as low as 17th or as high as 14th. They’ll just want to get this season over and done with, so don’t expect them to put up much of a fight against an in-form Villa.
The Magpies look for maximum points
It’s been a strange week for the Magpies.
Heading into there last game against Arsenal, there was a chance for Eddie Howe’s team to leapfrog the Gunners into second position with a win. Despite playing well at the Emirates, they fell to a 1-0 loss. That defeat, coupled with Man City’s midweek win over Bournemouth, means they find themselves in fourth position, level on points with Chelsea in fifth and Aston Villa in sixth.
If they fail to beat Everton and both Chelsea and Villa win, Newcastle miss out on a top five finish.
A win, however, guarantees them Champions League football, regardless of what happens elsewhere. A draw would make it complicated. The best way to approach this fixture against David Moyes’ side would be to see it as a final. It is a must-win clash.
Throw everything at it.
Avoid a draw at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest host Champions League rivals Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
A draw for Nottingham Forest guarantees they miss out on a Champions League place. A draw for Chelsea might be enough for a top five placing if Aston Villa lose. A win for Forest, however, sees them leapfrog Enzo Maresca’s men. Depending on results elsewhere, they could also leapfrog Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Honestly, I can’t ever recall a season that has so much at stake heading into the final match of the season. Forest could gatecrash the Champions League. They could also finish as low as seventh. Chelsea, meanwhile, could finish sixth or even as high as third.
So much at stake. So much to play for.
Can Manchester City get the job done?
Following their 3-1 win over Bournemouth, Manchester City are in complete control of their destiny. They’re third in the Premier League, two points clear of Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa and three ahead of Nottingham Forest.
There’s an outside chance they could jump into second place, too, though that would require a heavy loss for Arsenal coupled with a huge win for City over Fulham. But, then, there’s also a chance Pep Guardiola’s side finish in sixth position. A loss for the former champions, coupled with wins for Chelsea, Newcastle and Villa would see City miss out on Champions League football.
It sounds unlikely but City have frozen during big moments this term. People expected them to win the FA Cup last weekend and they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. There are no guarantees in football and the Citizens haven’t travelled well this term, winning just seven of their 18 matches on the road.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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