Updated:
May 19, 2023 10:03 pm
Manchester City and Arsenal have all secured a place in next season’s Champions League, and with two weeks of the season to go, Newcastle needs three more points to be absolutely sure of qualification for next season’s competition, while there is a three-way battle to see who clinches the final Top 4 spot.
Manchester United
Erik Ten Hag’s United looked to be cruising to a top 4 finish in April, however, two defeats to West Ham and Brighton & Hove Alboin have put a small dent in their hopes.
“It’s first of all important to get into the Champions League,” “I don’t think today about that standard, I look at the next game. “We have everything in our hands so we have to focus on the game and the games coming up. The first game is the most important.”
Erik Ten Hag: BBC Sport
Nevertheless, winning the EFL Cup against Newcastle has earned ten Hag his first taste of success as the Red Devils, and with an FA Cup Final looming around the corner, United will want to make sure of a place in next season’s competition, particularly when it’s still in their hands.
Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Fulham are their last three fixtures for the season, and two wins from those three games will guarantee them a place in next season’s competition.
Liverpool
Just as you think Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are done for the season, they come roaring back to form and are still with an outside chance of another season in the Premier League.
However, they will need six points from their final two games at home to Aston Villa and away to Southampton. They will also need to hope that United slip up in their final three games, or it looks like they will be playing Europa League football next season.
Saturday’s game will also be the last home game for Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain, who will be out of contract in the summer.
“It means one chapter will be closed and we can start writing a new one, that’s good for them and for us. I will be forever thankful to them, because without them nothing would have happened.” “I know we have to win all of our games, and then there’s maybe a chance. A big maybe, but that’s all. It’s not in our hands, whatever they get they deserve, easy as that. We have to do our job and then we’ll see what that means, but my hope is not bigger or lesser than before.”
Jurgen Klopp: BBC Sport
Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls are another team with an outside chance of a top-four place, and what a job Roberto De Zerbi has done taking over from Graham Potter.
Brighton was in fourth position in the Premier League when the Italian arrived at the Amex Stadium in September. His first game in charge was the memorable 3-3 draw with Klopp’s Reds at Home.
The south coast side has won 15 out of 29 League games under De Zerbi this season, they also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost 7-6 on penalties to Manchester United.
“I think we need six points [to qualify for Europe] and I think we can achieve this and reach our target,”
Roberto De Zerbi: Brighton & Hove Albion
Southampton, Manchester City and Aston Villa are the Seagull’s last three games which they must win to give themselves a small chance of Champions League Football.
They will also need to hope that United and Liverpool slip up in their final few games to stand any chance of competing with Europe’s elite next season.
So that’s it for the Top Four race, who will cement themselves a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League?
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