LONDON, May 15 — The Premier League title race is over and relegation is decided — but the battle for Champions League qualification remains wide open with just two rounds remaining.
Only champions Liverpool are so far guaranteed one of the five places up for grabs in Europe’s top club competition next season, and second-placed Arsenal look almost certain to join them.
But just four points separate third-placed Newcastle from seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.
AFP Sport looks at the key talking points ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action.
Newcastle aim to leapfrog Arsenal
Arsenal have been Liverpool’s closest challengers for most of the campaign and appeared to have second place locked down just weeks ago.
But a win for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Emirates on Sunday would take the Magpies a point above the Gunners, who have won only once in their past six league games.
Newcastle, by contrast, have been in strong form since winning the League Cup final against Liverpool in mid-March, losing just once in eight league matches since.
Sunday’s 2-0 win against top-five rivals Chelsea was a major step towards Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons.
“We still have two games to go and lots of twists and turns that could be around the corner,” said Howe. “We have to drive forward.”
Newcastle end the season with a home match against Everton on May 25, while Arsenal visit bottom club Southampton.
Europa focus gives Villa, Chelsea advantage
Aston Villa and Chelsea could gain ground on their rivals, with both teams playing on Friday against Europa League finalists Tottenham and Manchester United.
Villa, who have kept their league form steady despite exits from the Champions League and FA Cup, can climb to fourth with a win at home against Spurs.
Chelsea, who also have 63 points, would move just behind Newcastle in third if they beat United, thanks to a superior goal difference.
United and Spurs are just above the relegation zone after dismal seasons and are likely to rest key players ahead of next week’s Europa League final in Bilbao.
Villa’s gritty 1-0 win at Bournemouth last weekend secured a European place, but manager Unai Emery is now eyeing a Champions League spot.
Chelsea, finalists in the UEFA Conference League, could wrap up Enzo Maresca’s debut season with silverware and a Champions League return after a two-year absence.
Last chance for Forest
Two-time European champions Nottingham Forest have spent most of the season in the top four but now face an uphill battle after a run of poor form.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with relegated Leicester was another blow to their hopes of returning to the Champions League for the first time in over 40 years.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains optimistic as his team travel to struggling West Ham on Sunday, before hosting Chelsea on the final day.
“Let’s see how it goes,” said Nuno. “We have to focus on West Ham... I promise you we are going to give it a go and we will never give up.”
Man City seek strong finish
Manchester City, currently fourth, have reset their ambitions after a season that fell short of their usual high standards.
Despite a frustrating 0-0 draw at Southampton, Pep Guardiola’s team are still in a strong position to finish in the top five, with fixtures remaining against Bournemouth and Fulham.
City return to league action on Tuesday, three days after facing Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
“I didn’t expect differently from a month ago, that it’s a fight until the end,” said Guardiola, whose side have failed to win a fifth consecutive league title.
Fixtures (Malaysian time)
Friday
Aston Villa v Tottenham (2.30am, Saturday)
Chelsea v Manchester United (3.15am, Saturday)
Sunday
Everton v Southampton (7.00pm)
West Ham v Nottingham Forest (9.15pm)
Brentford v Fulham (10.00pm)
Leicester v Ipswich (10.00pm)
Arsenal v Newcastle (11.30pm)
Monday
Brighton v Liverpool (3.00am, Tuesday)
Tuesday
Crystal Palace v Wolves (3.00am, Wednesday)
Manchester City v Bournemouth (3.00am, Wednesday)
