The Premier League top four race is heating up as teams in the top half of the table compete for position with only six games remaining.
Except that it is no longer just a top-four race this season. With Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid, the Premier League now has five Champions League qualification spots.
Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Fulham, and Brighton are all still in contention for a European tournament next season. Liverpool are closing in on the Premier League title, while Arsenal appear to be finishing second for the third season in a row.
Here are the next five fixtures for the teams vying for the top four in England’s top flight league following matchweek 32.
Premier League Standings
| Place | Team | Points | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Liverpool | 76 | 32 |
| 2. | Arsenal | 63 | 32 |
| 3. | Nottingham Forest | 57 | 32 |
| 4. | Newcastle United | 56 | 31 |
| 5. | Manchester City | 55 | 32 |
| 6. | Chelsea | 54 | 32 |
| 7. | Aston Villa | 54 | 32 |
| 8. | Fulham | 48 | 31 |
| 9. | Brighton | 48 | 32 |
Here’s the next five league games for the teams in the Premier League top-four race.
Nottingham Forest’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Mon, Apr. 21: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Tottenham Hotspur (A) |
| Thurs, May 1: 2:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. GMT | Brentford (H) |
| Mon, May 5: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Crystal Palace (A) |
| Sat, May 10: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Leicester City (H) |
| Sun, May 18: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | West Ham United (A) |
Nottingham Forest has a favorable schedule, but they must rebound from a home loss to Everton. The addition of a fifth spot should make Nottingham Forest a strong contender for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Newcastle United’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Wed, Apr. 16: 2:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. GMT | Crystal Palace (H) |
| Sat, Apr. 19: 12:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. GMT | Aston Villa (A) |
| Sat, Apr. 26: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Ipswich Town (H) |
| Sun, May 4: 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. GMT | Brighton (A) |
| Sat, May 10: 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT | Chelsea (H) |
Newcastle United appear to be a major threat and favorite to qualify for the Champions League. It would be the perfect way to cap off a successful Carabao Cup campaign.
Manchester City’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sat, Apr. 19: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Everton (A) |
| Tues, Apr. 22: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Aston Villa (H) |
| Fri, May 2: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Wolves (H) |
| Sat, May 10: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Southampton (A) |
| Sun, May. 18: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Bournemouth (H) |
Pep Guardiola’s sole focus is on qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup. Despite the absence of Erling Haaland, they remain a strong contender.
Chelsea’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sun, Apr. 20: 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. GMT | Fulham (A) |
| Sat, Apr. 26: 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT | Everton (H) |
| Sun, May 4: 11:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. GMT | Liverpool (H) |
| Sat, May 10: 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT | Newcastle United (A) |
| Sun, May 18: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Manchester United (H) |
Chelsea drew again, this time against Ipswich Town. They face Fulham, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester United in their next five matches.
Aston Villa’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sat, Apr. 19: 12:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. GMT | Newcastle United (H) |
| Tues, Apr. 22: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Manchester City (A) |
| Sat, May 3: 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT | Fulham (H) |
| Sat, May 10: 12:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. GMT | Bournemouth (A) |
| Sun, May 18: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Tottenham Hotspur (H) |
If Aston Villa are eliminated from the Champions League by PSG, they will focus solely on qualifying for the FA Cup final.
Fulham’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Mon, Apr. 14: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Bournemouth (A) |
| Sun, Apr. 20: 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. GMT | Chelsea (H) |
| Sat, Apr. 26: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Southampton (A) |
| Sat, May 3: 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT | Aston Villa (A) |
| Sat, May 10: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Everton (H) |
Fulham are back in contention after defeating runaway leaders Liverpool for only the second time.
Brighton’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sat, Apr. 19: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Brentford (A) |
| Sat, Apr. 26: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | West Ham United (H) |
| Sun, May 4: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Newcastle United (H) |
| Sat, May 10: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Wolves (A) |
| Sun, May 18: 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT | Liverpool (H) |
Brighton are six points behind the top five, but they must start stringing results together the rest of the season. They will also require assistance from higher-level teams. Newcastle United and Liverpool face off at Amex Stadium.
