The final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season is set to be a thrilling conclusion, with several clubs vying for European qualification. Here’s what each club needs to secure their spot in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League.
🏆 Champions League (Top 5)
The top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Liverpool and Arsenal have already secured their places through their league positions. The remaining three spots are up for grabs on the final day.
Current Standings (Top 7):
- Liverpool – 85 points (Champions)
- Arsenal – 81 points
- Manchester City – 68 points
- Newcastle United – 66 points
- Chelsea – 66 points
- Aston Villa – 66 points
- Nottingham Forest – 65 points
Final Day Fixtures:
- Manchester City vs. Fulham
- Newcastle United vs. Everton
- Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest
- Aston Villa vs. Manchester United
Qualification Scenarios:
- Manchester City: A win against Fulham will secure their top-five finish due to superior goal difference.
- Newcastle United: A draw against Everton guarantees European competition participation.
- Chelsea: A win against Nottingham Forest keeps their Champions League hopes alive.
- Aston Villa: A win against Manchester United could propel them into the top five, depending on other results.
- Nottingham Forest: A win against Chelsea could see them leap into the top five, depending on other results.
🥈 Europa League (6th & FA Cup Winner)
The sixth-placed team in the Premier League will qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League, unless the FA Cup winner has already secured a European spot. Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory guarantees them a place in the Europa League.
Qualification Scenarios:
- Chelsea: If they finish 6th and win the Conference League, they will qualify for the Europa League.
- Aston Villa: If they finish 6th, they will qualify for the Europa League.
🥉 Conference League (7th)
The seventh-placed team in the Premier League will qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League. However, if Chelsea win the Conference League final, the seventh-place team will still qualify for the Conference League.
Qualification Scenarios:
- Nottingham Forest: If they finish 7th, they will qualify for the Conference League.
- Aston Villa: If they finish 7th, they will qualify for the Conference League.
🔄 Summary of Final Day Requirements
| Club | Required Result(s) | Potential Outcome(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | Win vs. Fulham | Champions League |
| Newcastle United | Draw vs. Everton | Champions League |
| Chelsea | Win vs. Nottingham Forest | Champions League or Europa League |
| Aston Villa | Win vs. Manchester United | Champions League or Europa League |
| Nottingham Forest | Win vs. Chelsea | Champions League or Conference League |
| Crystal Palace | No action needed | Europa League (via FA Cup) |
The final day promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the season, with European qualifications hanging in the balance. All matches are scheduled to kick off simultaneously to ensure fairness. Fans can expect a day filled with excitement and high stakes.
⚽ Race for Europe: What Each Club Needs on the Final Day in the EPL
🏆 Champions League (Top 5)
The top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Liverpool and Arsenal are already secure. The remaining three spots will be decided on the final day.
Current Top 7 Standings:
- Liverpool – 85 pts (Champions)
- Arsenal – 81 pts
- Manchester City – 68 pts
- Newcastle United – 66 pts
- Chelsea – 66 pts
- Aston Villa – 66 pts
- Nottingham Forest – 65 pts
Final Fixtures:
- Manchester City vs. Fulham
- Newcastle United vs. Everton
- Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest
- Aston Villa vs. Manchester United
Scenarios:
- Man City: Win secures UCL qualification.
- Newcastle: A draw is enough for Europe.
- Chelsea: Must beat Forest for top-five hope.
- Aston Villa: Need a win and favorable results.
- Nottingham Forest: Must win and hope others slip.
🥈 Europa League (6th + FA Cup Winner)
- Crystal Palace: Already qualified via FA Cup.
- 6th-place EPL team qualifies if not already covered.
🥉 Conference League (7th)
- Chelsea or Villa may qualify depending on who wins the Conference League.
- Forest/Villa can secure 7th and qualify.
🔄 Final Day Summary
| Club | Result Needed | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Man City | Win vs Fulham | Champions League |
| Newcastle | Draw vs Everton | Champions League |
| Chelsea | Win vs Forest | Champions League or Europa League |
| Aston Villa | Win vs Man Utd | Champions League or Europa League |
| Nottingham Forest | Win vs Chelsea | Champions or Conference League |
| Crystal Palace | — | Europa League (via FA Cup) |
🔍 Analysis
This year’s race for European football is one of the tightest in Premier League history, with just three points separating third and seventh place. The introduction of an additional Champions League spot for England has added a new layer of tension and opportunity for clubs like Newcastle, Villa, and Chelsea. For Chelsea, the stakes are doubled: they’re in a European final and chasing league qualification. That dual path may affect how Mauricio Pochettino rotates his squad.
Aston Villa’s campaign has been remarkable under Unai Emery, and qualifying for the Champions League would be a fitting reward, but they face a tough final opponent in Manchester United. Nottingham Forest, the season’s surprise package, could cap off a dream campaign with their first European appearance in over two decades—but must overcome Chelsea, who are desperate themselves.
Manchester City, usually title contenders, now face the unusual pressure of simply needing to hold their European place. It underscores the competitiveness of this year’s top half. With so many permutations in play, the final day promises drama, heartbreak, and elation in equal measure. Every goal will count, and with multiple fixtures potentially deciding final standings, fans can expect a rollercoaster of a finale.
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