With the title race successfully over and the three promoted groups wanting more and more doomed to relegation, it’s the race for European qualification that might present probably the most intrigue and drama within the remaining months of this marketing campaign.
The Premier League is anticipated to obtain 5 locations subsequent season, and it might be argued that greater than half the division may legitimately be concentrating on these spots. In any case, solely seven factors separate fifth-placed Newcastle United from Eleventh-placed Brentford.
Assuming that Liverpool and Arsenal end first and second, there are subsequently three Champions League locations up for grabs for 9 groups – and probably even 10 groups, if Tottenham Hotspur can produce a late cost.
Right here, Telegraph Sport assesses which sides are greatest positioned to compete for a spot in Europe’s premier competitors.
Nottingham ForestBiggest power
Their defensive resilience. Solely Liverpool have saved extra clear sheets (11) than (10) this season and, of the groups beneath them within the league, solely Bournemouth have conceded fewer targets. Forest centre-backs Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have been largely wonderful all through the marketing campaign.
The priority right here, although, shall be that this solidity has twice evaporated in latest weeks. Forest conceded 5 at Bournemouth in January after which 4 at Newcastle on Sunday. These have been alarming outcomes.
Greatest weak point
For Forest, it’s a query of sustainability. has been distinctive in assault, scoring many extra targets than his anticipated targets tally would counsel he ought to have finished. Can he keep such overperformance for the rest of this marketing campaign, although? And may the staff as an entire produce sufficient targets to safe their place within the prime 5?
Forest rank eighth within the Premier League for targets scored and solely 14th for the variety of photographs they’ve taken. Their collected anticipated targets determine for the marketing campaign is 33.9, which is just the 14th highest within the division.
Fixtures
Arsenal (H), Manchester Metropolis (H), Ipswich (A), Manchester United (H), Aston Villa (A), Everton (H), Spurs (A), Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (A), Leicester Metropolis (H), West Ham United (A), Chelsea (H)
Predicted ending place: sixth
Manchester CityBiggest power
The standard of their attacking gamers. Even in a dreadful season for his membership, Erling Haaland has nonetheless scored 19 targets in 25 league appearances. New signing has already struck a hat-trick within the Premier League and appears primed to trigger some injury to opponents within the the rest of this season. Phil Foden may flicker again into kind at any second, whereas Savinho appears to be rising in stature.
Greatest weak point
The psychological impression of this season’s struggles, on the enjoying squad and on Pep Guardiola, is evidently appreciable. are merely not a cheerful membership for the time being. Their damage record is problematic, too, with John Stones and Manuel Akanji each out with long-term issues (becoming a member of key midfielder Rodri on the sidelines).
Fixtures
Spurs (A), Forest (A), Brighton (H), Leicester (H), United (A), Palace (H), Everton (A), Villa (H), Wolves (H), Southampton (A), Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A)
Predicted ending place: third
Newcastle UnitedBiggest power
In, possess maybe the very best centre-forward within the division proper now. His two targets towards Forest on Sunday took him to 19 within the Premier League this season and he undoubtedly has the power to fireplace Newcastle again into the Champions League.
Greatest weak point
Inconsistency. Prior to now few weeks, Eddie Howe’s aspect have misplaced at residence to Bournemouth and Fulham, and produced a horrific exhibiting in a 4-0 defeat at Metropolis. This can be a staff that has been blowing cold and warm for the reason that flip of the yr. When they’re good, they’re virtually unstoppable. When they’re unhealthy, they’re remarkably weak.
Fixtures
Liverpool (A), West Ham (A), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), United (H), Palace (H), Villa (A), Ipswich (H), Brighton (A), Chelsea (H), Arsenal (A), Everton (H)
Predicted ending place: 4th
BournemouthBiggest power
Andoni Iraola’s tactical method, with high-intensity urgent and boldness in possession, makes his staff an especially awkward opponent for any aspect within the Premier League. Guardiola himself has mentioned fashion is the brand new “trendy soccer”.
Bournemouth’s outcomes towards the massive groups communicate for themselves: this season they’ve dismantled Arsenal, Metropolis, Spurs, Newcastle and Forest. Their anticipated targets tally (47.7) is the third highest within the division, whereas in addition they have the third greatest defensive report.
Greatest weak point
Bournemouth have performed for a very long time with a big damage record, they usually function with an aggressive and bodily draining fashion of soccer. Even with the return of injured gamers, it’s attainable that they start to expire of vitality by the top of the marketing campaign.
This occurred, to an extent, final season: Iraola’s staff misplaced their remaining three league video games of the season and gained solely two of their final eight.
Fixtures
Brighton (A), Spurs (A), Brentford (H), Ipswich (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H), Palace (A), United (H), Arsenal (A), Villa (H), Metropolis (A), Leicester (H)
Predicted ending place: seventh
ChelseaBiggest power
are at the moment on a determined run of kind however there may be no doubting the standard of Enzo Maresca’s squad, particularly as soon as key striker Nicolas Jackson is offered once more. Cole Palmer, particularly, has demonstrated that he has the power to win matches on his personal.
The returns of Jackson, Roméo Lavia and Noni Madueke ought to give Chelsea a unique edge within the remaining a part of the season. It is usually price noting that Chelsea have the second-highest anticipated targets determine (51.5, behind solely Liverpool) within the league. Their followers will hope it’s only a matter of time earlier than their assault clicks again into gear.
Greatest weak point
The is deeply alarming. Chelsea have saved solely 4 clear sheets all season (solely 4 Premier League groups have saved fewer) and neither Robert Sánchez nor Filip Jorgensen have impressed between the posts. Jorgensen’s error towards Villa on Saturday was a horrible second for the 22-year-old.
Chelsea will even must navigate the calls for of enjoying European soccer on Thursday nights, with Maresca’s aspect anticipated to go all the best way within the Convention League.
Fixtures
Southampton (H), Leicester (H), Arsenal (A), Spurs (H), Brentford (A), Ipswich (H), Fulham (A), Everton (H), Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), United (H), Forest (A)
Predicted ending place: fifth
Aston VillaBiggest power
After a busy January switch window, have actual power in depth in assault. The arrivals of , Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio have supplied Unai Emery with a unique dynamic and extra choices within the remaining third. All three gamers seem to have settled in rapidly, with Rashford specifically wanting sharp regardless of his exile at Manchester United.
Greatest weak point
Villa have excelled within the Champions League this season and they’re going to count on to progress past Membership Brugge within the spherical of 16. It’s no straightforward activity to steadiness European commitments with Premier League duties, and this threatens to be Villa’s downfall within the race for the highest 5.
Solely as soon as in eight makes an attempt this season have Villa gained the league match instantly following a midweek sport within the Champions League.
Fixtures
Palace (A), Brentford (A), Brighton (A), Forest (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), Metropolis (A), Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Spurs (H), United (A)
Predicted ending place: ninth
BrightonBiggest power
squad is stacked with gifted attacking gamers who can produce moments of magic within the remaining third. Few groups in Europe boast as many thrilling forwards. Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, João Pedro, Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter, Brajan Gruda and Simon Adingra have the power to trigger issues for even the meanest defence.
Greatest weak point
Brighton have the second-youngest staff within the division (behind Chelsea) and the youngest supervisor in Premier League historical past. A frequent consequence of youth is inconsistency, and Brighton have demonstrated this in latest weeks. The identical staff which have since gained three matches in a row in all competitions.
Fixtures
Bournemouth (H), Fulham (H), Metropolis (A), Villa (H), Palace (A), Leicester (H), Brentford (A), West Ham (H), Newcastle (H), Wolves (A), Liverpool (H), Spurs (A)
Predicted ending place: eighth
FulhamBiggest power
Though don’t maintain many clear sheets, their defensive report is stable they usually have conceded solely 35 Premier League targets this season (the seventh-best report within the league). This can be a staff that’s at all times aggressive and their matches are normally shut affairs: for the reason that begin of December they haven’t gained or misplaced a league sport by greater than two targets.
Greatest weak point
Marco Silva’s aspect are missing in firepower. On each targets and anticipated targets, they rank twelfth within the Premier League. This can be a totally mid-table output and it feels unlikely that they may have sufficient attacking class to make a push in direction of the highest 5.
Fixtures
Wolves (A), Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Arsenal (A), Liverpool (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (H), Southampton (A), Villa (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Metropolis (H)
Predicted ending place: twelfth
BrentfordBiggest power
The goalscoring duo of . Brentford are the one staff to have two gamers in double digits for targets this season. Kevin Schade is able to contributing, too. are by no means afraid to assault groups they usually have actual high quality of their entrance line.
Greatest weak point
Brentford are most likely an excessive amount of enjoyable. Their matches are normally splendidly entertaining and open contests, however this will additionally work towards them. Thomas Frank’s aspect have shipped 42 targets within the Premier League this season – solely 5 groups within the division have conceded extra.
Fixtures
Everton (H), Villa (H), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Arsenal (A), Brighton (H), Forest (A), United (H), Ipswich (A), Fulham (H), Wolves (A)
Predicted ending place: Eleventh
Tottenham HotspurBiggest power
Their injured gamers are coming again. may rapidly appear like a wholly totally different aspect to the staff that has struggled so badly in latest months. The final 10 days have introduced optimistic indicators on this regard and, supplied there aren’t any extra setbacks, Spurs might be robust and rejuvenated for the run-in.
Greatest weak point
Even when Spurs can reunite their greatest gamers on the pitch, they’re up to now behind the pack that it is going to be extraordinarily troublesome for them to make up sufficient floor in time. On the time of writing, they’re 11 factors behind fifth-placed Newcastle. There may at all times be extra accidents, too.
Fixtures
Metropolis (H), Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A), Chelsea (A), Southampton (H), Wolves (A), Forest (H), Liverpool (A), West Ham (A), Palace (H), Villa (A), Brighton (H)
Predicted ending place: tenth
