The 2024-2025 Premier League is entering its most intense phase. If there were no big surprises, Liverpool would have won the championship. The Kop are 11 points ahead of the team behind Arsenal and have played 1 more game. With the "Gunners", they are almost certain to have a place in the Champions League next season.
At this time, the focus of the Premier League is the race for tickets to the Champions League next season. Except for Liverpool and Arsenal holding a big advantage, the teams behind are creating fierce competition. From 3rd place Nottingham Forest to 9th place Brighton are only 7 points apart.
The good news for the Premier League is that the 5th-placed team will almost certainly also have a place in the Champions League next season. Therefore, excluding Liverpool and Arsenal, there are 3 equal spots divided among 7 teams in the battle: Nottingham Forest (47 points), Manchester City (44), Newcastle (44), Bournemouth (43), Chelsea (43), Aston Villa (42) and Brighton (40). Even if Fulham (39 points) are counted, there will be 8 teams in this race.
Notably, there are 3 Spanish coaches leading the teams in the above group. Specifically Unai Emery ( Aston Villa), Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) and Pep Guardiola (Man City). In addition, there is Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Returning to the race, no team can be confident about their form at the moment. With Manchester United and Tottenham almost eliminated from the race, teams like Bournemouth or Nottingham will very much want to create a surprise.
Nottingham still holds third place despite having lost 3 of their last 4 matches. Meanwhile, Man City have also suffered 2 defeats in the last 3 matches, including a 0-2 home defeat to Liverpool. 5th-placed Newcastle have also suffered 3 losses in their last 5 matches.
Not to mention Chelsea, who have lost 3 of their last 4 matches. Similarly, Bournemouth (losing 2 in the last 3 matches) and Aston Villa (won 1 in the last 5 matches).
As for Brighton, they have only just joined the race with 2 recent victories. Obviously, there will be many surprises in the journey ahead when no team has stable performance.
Schedule of the teams competing for tickets to the Champions League in round 27 of the Premier League:
2:30 a.m. on February 26: Brighton - Bournemouth
2:30 a.m. on February 26: Crystal Palace - Aston Villa
3:15 a.m. on February 26: Chelsea - Southampton
2:30 a.m. on February 27: Nottingham Forest - Arsenal
2:30 a.m. on February 27: Tottenham - Man City
3:15 a.m. on February 27: Liverpool - Newcastle
