The Premier League season is winding down, but the race for Champions League qualification heats up with each passing matchday.
Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur and won the Premier League title on April 27. With the three relegation teams also locked in, all attention is focused on the race for European spots.
Arsenal, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest are all battling for second place, with only six points separating the Gunners from Forest in seventh.
Arsenal eliminated Real Madrid in the quarterfinals this season, giving England five Champions League qualification spots.
Premier League Standings
| Place | Team | Points | Games Played | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Liverpool | 83 | 36 | +46 |
| 2. | Arsenal | 68 | 36 | +33 |
| 3. | Newcastle United | 66 | 36 | +23 |
| 4. | Manchester City | 65 | 36 | +24 |
| 5. | Chelsea | 63 | 36 | +19 |
| 6. | Aston Villa | 63 | 36 | +7 |
| 7. | Nottingham Forest | 62 | 36 | +12 |
Take a look at the final two fixtures for each Premier League team in the Champions League hunt after Matchweek 36.
Arsenal’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sun, May 18: 11:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. GMT | Newcastle United (H) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Southampton (A) |
Arsenal got a point at Anfield, but they’re not out of the woods yet. They need a strong performance against Newcastle United next week to ensure Champions League qualification.
Manchester City’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Tues, May 20: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Bournemouth (H) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Fulham (A) |
Manchester City hit a major stumbling block on Saturday, drawing with relegated Southampton. They trail Newcastle by one point but have a two-point lead over Chelsea. They have control of their destiny and can qualify if they win their last two games against the Cherries and the Cottagers.
However, before facing Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, they have the opportunity to win silverware in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17. Lifting a trophy in what has been a disastrous season by Pep Guardiola’s standards could provide the extra push needed to cross the finish line and finish as high as second.
Newcastle United’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sun, May 18: 11:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. GMT | Arsenal (A) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Everton (H) |
Newcastle United is 6-1-1 in April, with their only losses and draws coming against Aston Villa and Brighton. They won over ten men. Chelsea opens up a three-point gap between third and fifth place. In addition, they have a four-goal differential over the Blues.
The Magpies’ only remaining opponents are Arsenal and Everton, and they will have an advantage against both in the final round.
Chelsea’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Fri, May 16: 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT | Manchester United (H) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 p.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Nottingham Forest (A) |
Nicolas Jackson will miss the remainder of the season after receiving a red card against Newcastle. They have two difficult games to finish the season against Manchester United and Forest.
The Red Devils may be closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League, but they have momentum after qualifying for the Europa League final.
The game against Forest on May 25 could determine the fifth and final spot.
Aston Villa’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sun, May 18: 9:15 a.m. ET/2:15 p.m. GMT | Tottenham Hotspur (H) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Manchester United (H) |
Aston Villa won against Bournemouth despite finishing with ten men. After a strong performance in UEFA’s top competition this season, Unai Emery is eager to return his team for next season. Due to their poor goal differential, they will most likely have to qualify solely on points.
They finish the season against both Europa League finalists, hoping that teams above them will slip up.
Nottingham Forest’s Final Two Premier League Fixtures
| Date and Kick-Off Time | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sun, May 18: 9:15 a.m. ET/2:15 p.m. GMT | West Ham United (A) |
| Sun, May 25: 11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT | Chelsea (H) |
Forest cannot afford any more slipups after drawing against Leicester City. They face West Ham United next week, but their game against Chelsea could decide whether or not they’re playing in the Europa League or Champions League next season.
