The Premier League is reaching its climax, and the battle for Champions League spots is intensifying.
With Liverpool practically securing the title and the bottom teams facing relegation, the focus is on the race for European qualification.
Due to English clubs` strong performance in UEFA rankings, the Premier League may gain a fifth Champions League qualification spot.
Liverpool and Arsenal are almost guaranteed to play Champions League football next season.
This leaves several teams competing for the remaining spots as the season nears its end.
With seven games left, we assess the difficulty of each team`s remaining schedule, ranking them from easiest to hardest.
MAN CITY – 6TH, 52 POINTS
Manchester City, the current champions, have had an inconsistent season but could secure Champions League qualification and the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola`s team will play Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at home, with a potentially challenging away game against Everton in between.
If they navigate this period successfully, City will be confident facing Wolves (home), Southampton (away, already relegated), and Bournemouth (home).
They will hope their final match against Fulham will be inconsequential for their opponents.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – 3RD, 57 POINTS
Nottingham Forest, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, are well-placed to qualify for the Champions League and are optimistic about their upcoming matches.
Forest have only lost twice at home this season and will be confident in home games against Everton, Brentford, and Leicester, who are likely to be relegated.
Forest have also performed well away from home and will not be intimidated by away games against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham.
Their final game is at home against Chelsea, which could be decisive, especially if Chelsea reduces the current four-point gap.
BRIGHTON – 9TH, 47 POINTS
Brighton needs to close a six-point gap to fifth-placed Newcastle.
Maximum points from potentially winnable games against Leicester (home), Brentford (away), and West Ham (home) could propel them into contention before they host Newcastle on May 4.
Brighton then plays Wolves (away), who might have little to play for, before hosting Liverpool, who could have already secured the league title.
Brighton concludes their season with an away game against Tottenham.
ASTON VILLA – 7TH, 51 POINTS
Aston Villa is competing on multiple fronts, including the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals.
Their league season could also be remarkable, as they are just two points behind Newcastle before playing Southampton.
Unai Emery`s team faces crucial games against Newcastle (home) and Manchester City (away), which could significantly impact the European qualification race.
Villa`s remaining fixtures include Fulham (home), Bournemouth (away), Tottenham (home), and Manchester United (away).
FULHAM – 8TH, 48 POINTS
Fulham, under Marco Silva, is five points away from the Champions League spots and faces a challenging schedule, except for a game against Southampton.
They play Bournemouth (away), followed by Chelsea (home).
After Southampton (away), they face Aston Villa (away) and Everton (home).
Fulham`s season ends with a West London derby against Brentford (away) and Manchester City (home).
NEWCASTLE – 5TH, 53 POINTS
Newcastle currently holds the final Champions League spot and needs to maintain their form.
Newcastle will host Manchester United and Crystal Palace, followed by a tough away game against Aston Villa.
They then have a home game against Ipswich, followed by away games against Brighton and Arsenal, with a home game against Chelsea in between.
Newcastle will play Everton at home on the final day.
CHELSEA – 4TH, 53 POINTS
Chelsea`s recent form has been inconsistent, scoring only twice in their last four league games.
After playing Ipswich at home, Chelsea faces a difficult schedule, starting with a derby against Fulham.
