The Premier League is back, and with only a handful of games remaining in the 2024-2025 season, there is plenty at stake from the top to the bottom of the table. Let’s break down the key battles and the remaining questions heading into the final stretch.
Title Race
Liverpool’s 12-point advantage means they are firmly in control of the title race. With just nine games left, they need only 16 points to ensure they can’t be caught by Arsenal. If Mikel Arteta’s side experiences a slip-up, Liverpool could secure the title as early as mid-April, depending on results. However, if Arsenal can put together a winning streak, the race could go into May, making for an exciting finale. A couple of key games loom for both teams: Arsenal hosts Fulham and visits Everton, while Liverpool faces Everton at home and travels to Fulham. The title could be decided in these next few weeks, depending on how both teams perform.
European Spots
The race for European qualification looks to be heating up, with the top five spots in the league likely to earn places in the Champions League next season. England is in prime position to secure one of two bonus spots awarded by UEFA to the top-performing nations. Currently, England leads the rankings with 24.25 points, ahead of Spain and Italy, which means the Premier League is on track to have five teams in the Champions League next year. Teams like Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Tottenham will be hoping to secure a top-four finish, with City also fighting in the Champions League, which could offer them another route into next year’s competition.
At the moment, Manchester City sits in fifth, just one point ahead of Newcastle and Brighton, with only a small cushion over Bournemouth. Their remaining fixtures are favorable, with only two matches against top-half teams, and they will be hoping to capitalize on that. Meanwhile, Villa and Tottenham both have the added challenge of competing in European competitions, making their domestic performances all the more crucial.
Other European Places
Newcastle has already secured a European spot by winning the Carabao Cup, guaranteeing them at least a place in the Conference League playoffs. However, the situation remains fluid for other teams looking to qualify for Europe through league performance or cup competitions. Chelsea, for example, could qualify for the Europa League if they win the Conference League, while Arsenal could still secure a Champions League spot by winning the competition itself. Teams like Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest remain in the FA Cup, and their results in that competition could still influence the European qualification picture.
Relegation Battle
At the bottom of the table, Southampton is in a precarious position, sitting at the foot of the league with just nine points. Their survival hopes could be all but extinguished by the end of this week if they fail to get results, combined with wins from Wolves. Currently in 17th place, Wolves are the team to watch in the relegation battle. They’ve shown decent form recently, with three wins and a draw from their last six games, and they now have a much kinder fixture list compared to the bottom three teams. Wolves’ upcoming games against West Ham and Ipswich could prove crucial, with points here potentially securing their safety.
The fate of the bottom three could be largely decided in the coming weeks. Teams like Ipswich and Leicester, currently sitting in 18th and 19th, respectively, have challenging fixtures ahead, facing several top-six sides. Leicester, for instance, will play three of the top six and only one team from the bottom half. These tough matchups could be the difference between staying up or going down.
While Everton has managed to pull themselves out of the most immediate danger under manager David Moyes, they face a daunting schedule, playing five of the current top five in their next five matches. It’s a tough ask for any team, and Everton will need to dig deep to maintain their Premier League status.
As the final matches approach, it’s clear that the race for both European spots and survival in the Premier League will go down to the wire. With so many teams still involved in key battles, this season promises an exciting finish.
