Nottingham Forest Pl 31 Pts 57 GD 14
The essential factor for Forest is that they sit third and have an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Manchester Metropolis to stay up for. Everybody under want to be of their place. Accidents shall be a trigger for concern for Nuno Espírito Santo, who has been with out his high scorer, Chris Wooden, because the worldwide break after which misplaced Wooden’s alternative, Taiwo Awoniyi, leaving Forest with out a recognised striker for the loss to Aston Villa, a sport additionally missed by Ola Aina. Their closing seven matches embody 4 at residence, the place they’ve misplaced solely twice, however three tough away clashes in London imply the trail to a historic return to Europe’s high desk is unlikely to be easy for a group who haven’t been on this state of affairs earlier than. Forest have extra skilled squads snapping at their heels as they search to perform probably the most vital Premier League achievement since Leicester received the title. Will Unwin
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: Harm-hit underdogs enter uncharted waters.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Everton (h), Spurs (a), Brentford (h), Crystal Palace (a), Leicester (h), West Ham (a), Chelsea (h).
Chelsea Pl 31 Pts 53 GD 17
Enzo Maresca’s younger aspect have underwhelmed since Christmas however are nonetheless effectively positioned to supply substantial proof the plan is working. They’re clinging stubbornly on to fourth place and justifiably imagine the return of injured gamers in assault will give them essential momentum. But the warmth is on. Their Convention League involvement is a slight distraction, supporters are grumbling about Maresca’s model of play and journeys to Fulham, Newcastle and Forest look tough for a group with out an away league win since December. One slip at residence might be disastrous, particularly as Chelsea’s newest accounts counsel their funds would profit from qualification for the Champions League for the primary time since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital purchased the membership in 2022. The prize cash on provide on the Membership World Cup will assist however Chelsea must be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite frequently. Jacob Steinberg
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: Large spenders should present character.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Ipswich (h), Fulham (a), Everton (h), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a), Manchester United (h), Nottingham Forest (a)
Newcastle Pl 30 Pts 53 GD 13
If profitable the Carabao Cup did wonders for Newcastle’s vanity, Champions League qualification wouldn’t merely allow Eddie Howe to signal a greater class of participant this summer time however fairly probably hold Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon joyful on Tyneside. With a lot at stake the excellent news is that Newcastle have a sport in hand on key rivals, 5 residence fixtures and Isak main their attacking line. Throw in a formidable midfield that includes Guimarães, Tonali and Joelinton, allied to Howe’s growing stylistic flexibility and tactical invention, and it’s simple to make a compelling case for a fifth- and even fourth-placed end. And but … even Howe concedes his group are infuriatingly inconsistent, Isak is carrying a minor groin damage and the squad lacks depth. A lot hinges on “six-pointers” at Aston Villa and Brighton and, maybe most importantly, at residence to Chelsea. Louise Taylor
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: It’s of their fingers.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Manchester United (h), Crystal Palace (h), Aston Villa (a), Ipswich (h), Brighton (a), Chelsea (h), Arsenal (a), Everton (h).
Manchester Metropolis Pl 31 Pts 52 GD 17
These are unusual instances as Pep Guardiola dices with failure to say Champions League qualification for the primary time in a trophy-laden 16-season profession. Metropolis are down in sixth and, of their closing seven matches, solely Southampton and Wolves seem easy. To be out of the competitors subsequent time period can be a black eye to Metropolis’s standing and Guardiola’s esteem, significantly as he adores it. However extra severe can be the lack of the riches derived from the Champions League if Metropolis are discovered responsible of a number of of the 130-plus fees introduced by the Premier League – the membership deny wrongdoing – and a sizeable monetary penalty is the punishment. It’s a blow to Metropolis that Erling Haaland is out till the ultimate weekend (on the earliest), when Metropolis are at Fulham. Guardiola believes the dogfight for a spot will go to then, and this correspondent agrees. Jamie Jackson
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: Difficult run-in particularly lacking Haaland.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Crystal Palace (h), Everton (a), Aston Villa (h), Wolves (h), Southampton (a), Bournemouth (h), Fulham (a).
Aston Villa Pl 31 Pts 51 GD 0
If Unai Emery is to guide Villa into Europe’s elite competitors for a second successive season, he should do it the arduous manner. Successful the Champions League in Munich in Might is an excessive lengthy shot, so they have to navigate a tough run of home fixtures. Paris Saint-Germain’s go to to Villa Park within the quarter-final second leg on Tuesday represents the primary of 4 blockbuster matches in 11 days, ending with an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Crystal Palace. After that they face Fulham and Bournemouth, two sides hopeful of internet hosting European soccer subsequent season. It’s thought Villa don’t have to make the Champions League to satisfy profitability and sustainability guidelines however it will undeniably assist. Maybe extra considerably, it will allow them to draw extra high-pedigree gamers and hold these they’ve. Villa are the one top-flight group combating on three fronts, so their squad, burnished in January, shall be examined. It’s a massive ask, however Emery loves a problem. Ben Fisher
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: If anybody can, Emery can.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Southampton (a), Newcastle (h), Manchester Metropolis (a), Fulham (h), Bournemouth (a), Spurs (h), Manchester United (a).
Fulham Pl 31 Pts 48 GD 5
The membership haven’t obtained as a lot consideration as others trying to break the glass ceiling however shouldn’t be underestimated. Marco Silva’s aspect have taken factors off Arsenal, Chelsea, Forest, Liverpool and Newcastle and are able to beating anybody. They’re robust at residence, harmful on their travels and are arrange beautifully by one of many league’s most underrated managers. Nonetheless, although, Fulham look an out of doors guess. They’ve a behavior of dropping factors at any time when there’s a likelihood to push on – residence attracts with Ipswich and Southampton weren’t significantly intelligent – and can most likely blow cold and warm an excessive amount of. A technique constructed round rejuvenating gamers who’ve struggled elsewhere within the Premier League has allowed Fulham to construct a stable, skilled squad however it will possibly make them inconsistent. Qualification for the Europa League appears to be like a extra real looking goal – and would nonetheless be a laudable achievement. JS
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: Shock bundle focusing on extra upsets.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Bournemouth (a), Chelsea (h), Southampton (a), Aston Villa (a), Everton (h), Brentford (a), Manchester Metropolis (h).
Brighton Pl 31 Pts 47 GD 2
Till an FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest, Brighton appeared to be actual contenders for the highest 5 after making their European debuts within the Europa League final season. However not like earlier within the season once they responded to a 7-0 hammering at Forest by profitable their subsequent six in all competitions, the penalty shootout defeat in opposition to Nuno Espírito Santo’s aspect has blown them off track. Damaging losses in opposition to Aston Villa and a Crystal Palace aspect decreased to 9 gamers have left Fabian Hürzeler’s group with a sizeable process if they’re to surpass the sixth place they managed underneath Roberto De Zerbi in 2023 – the membership’s highest end. 9 factors from their subsequent three fixtures in opposition to Leicester, Brentford and West Ham will surely assist to vary the temper, though Hürzeler should discover a answer to the dearth of creativity up entrance and a defence that has been leaking loads of objectives. Ed Aarons
Prime-five quest in 5 phrases: Hürzeler trying to find proper method.
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Leicester (h), Brentford (a), West Ham (h), Newcastle (h), Wolves (a), Liverpool (h), Spurs (a).
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