The Race For Europe Gets Tighter!

With 10 games and the extra UEFA Champions League spot secured, more clubs feel European Football is close.

6 Points separate Nottingham Forest in 3rd and Newcastle United in 7th, 9 Points separate Nottingham Forest in 3rd, and Fulham in 10th and only 13 points separate Nottingham Forest in 3rd and Brentford in 12th. Thus, every one of these teams should have their eyes on some form of European Competition.

3. Nottingham Forest – 51 Points

A Superb season sees 17th place Forest shoot into an ideal spot for Champions League qualification. Should key players from Mats Sels in goal to Chris Wood up top stay fit, Nuno’s side should have a strong finish to the season. Some pretty good fixtures will also secure this.

I believe the top four should be secured, but losing to European contenders Bournemouth, Fulham, and Newcastle isn’t ideal.

4. Chelsea FC – 49 Points

After throwing themselves into the title race, a couple of months of on-and-off results punished the Blues, who now sit only 5 points from 9th spot. Arsenal is away, and Tottenham is home for the next two. These games could make or break Maresca’s chances for UCL Football, with Liverpool, Newcastle, and Forest yet to be played.

I think Chelsea will stay around 5th or 6th come the end of the season, but 7th isn’t out of the realm of possibility either.

5. Manchester City – 47 Points

Speaking of on and off, Manchester City has yet to recover from its crisis as it continually struggles for a run of wins. But with a pretty good end to the season, fixture-wise, Pep’s side could try to push themselves higher up the table.

I firmly believe Manchester City will still secure UCL Football for next season.

6. Newcastle United – 47 Points

The Geordies have been a bit up and down the past couple of months, and a couple of tricky fixtures may see more of this. Games against Villa, Brighton, Arsenal, Chelsea, and maybe even Palace are prime examples.

I believe Newcastle United have every chance to get into the top 5 and knock Chelsea out of UCL chances.

7. Brighton & Hove Albion FC – 46 Points

Brighton has only won since being battered 7-0, winning 4 PL games and 2 FA Cup matches. With three big games up next, with City away, Villa at home and Rivals Palace away, Brighton fans will be hoping to continue this fantastic run and take advantage of confidence as their season ends with Newcastle, Liverpool and Spurs in the last four games.

Some are throwing the Seagulls in the conversation for UCL Football, but I believe Brighton will end up around 8th.

8. Aston Villa – 45 Points

With only two wins since 18th January, Unai Emery would’ve liked to have already made a headstart in the European Race, with many disappointing results such as 1-1 vs. Ipswich and a 2-0 loss against Wolves. Life doesn’t get much easier with Brighton, Forest, Newcastle, Man City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Spurs, and Man United all to play.

It will be a brutal end to the season for the UCL club, and thus, I believe they will sit around 8th, fighting with Brighton and Fulham.

9. Bournemouth – 44 Points

Bournemouth is another club that has been lacking consistent results recently, but they have some good fixtures coming up, with Brentford, Ipswich, West Ham, Fulham, and Palace up next. Then life gets complicated with Man United, Arsenal, Villa, and Man City. The season ending with Leicester at home is excellent, however.

Bournemouth are still in a good position, and a couple more upsets can put it in a great position to finish up there in 6th or 7th.

10. Fulham – 42 Points

Another team still very much in the mix is Fulham. ⅘ of the top 5, including a couple of other European Contenders, have yet to be played. However, they have proven to get results against these clubs throughout the season.

I don’t think Fulham’s position will change much. They will be tight with the clubs above and could challenge for Europa or Conference League, but not higher.

11. Crystal Palace – 39 Points

Now, it starts to get tricky, with Palace 6 points away from 8th (a possible conference league spot depending on the winners of Domestic competitions). They will have a strong finish, being in perfect form right now and having some good fixtures to end the season.

Unfortunately, with everyone being so tight, I don’t see them breaking through the teams above them.

12. Brentford- 38 Points

It’s even trickier for The Bees, who again have some good fixtures but a few more challenging fixtures to end 24/25. Currently in good form, I think they will also have another strong finish.

Unfortunately, again, I can’t see them pushing the teams above them enough to challenge for Europe.

In conclusion, if I were to predict the final positions, it’d be something like this:

3. Nottingham Forest
4. Manchester City
5. Newcastle United
6. Chelsea FC
7. Bournemouth
8. Aston Villa
9. Brighton
10. Crystal Palace
11. Fulham
12. Brentford

But it could be anything!

Hi, I am Aaron. I am an aspiring Sports Journalist who has a passion for Sport, but above all, for Football. I created and run an Instagram page devoted to Brighton & Hove Albion FC content named Albion Analysed. Feel free to commenton and share my articles, and follow the link to my Instagram if you wish too!
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