The Premier League season reaches its climax this Sunday, with several clubs still vying for European qualification spots. The final round of fixtures will determine which teams secure places in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next campaign.
Aston Villa
Current position: 4th
Possible final positions: 4th or 5th
Aston Villa have already secured Champions League football by winning the Europa League. However, their final league position could unlock an additional Champions League berth for the Premier League. If Villa finish fifth, the league’s European Performance Spot (EPS) grants a sixth Champions League place. Villa would need to lose to Manchester City, with Liverpool defeating Brentford, for fifth place to materialise. A draw or win for Villa at the Etihad secures fourth place, closing the door on a sixth spot.
Liverpool
Current position: 5th
Possible final positions: 4th, 5th, or 6th
Liverpool (+10 goal difference) can leapfrog Aston Villa (+6) into fourth by beating Brentford and hoping Villa lose to Manchester City. A point against Brentford guarantees Champions League football. However, defeat could see Liverpool slip to sixth if Bournemouth (+4) win and overturn a six-goal deficit.
Bournemouth
Current position: 6th
Possible final positions: 5th, 6th, or 7th
Bournemouth have already secured European football but are fighting for the best competition. They can qualify for the Champions League by overtaking Liverpool if the Reds lose and Bournemouth win, or if Villa lose and Liverpool win, with Bournemouth avoiding defeat. An unlikely playoff could decide the final Champions League spot if Liverpool lose 1-0 and Bournemouth win 5-0, leaving all tiebreakers identical.
Brighton
Current position: 7th
Possible final positions: 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th
Brighton, with a superior goal difference to Bournemouth, can leapfrog them into sixth by beating Manchester United and hoping Bournemouth lose. A win guarantees at least Europa League football. Defeat could see Brighton drop to ninth, missing out on Europe entirely.
Chelsea
Current position: 8th
Possible final positions: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th
Chelsea are currently set for the Conference League but can rise to seventh with a win over Sunderland and Brighton dropping points. A draw might suffice if Brighton lose heavily. Defeat could see Chelsea finish outside the European places, with Sunderland or Brentford overtaking them.
Brentford
Current position: 9th
Possible final positions: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th
Brentford need a better result than Chelsea to secure a top-eight finish. A win at Anfield against Liverpool, combined with Chelsea and Brighton failing to win, could even propel them into the Europa League.
Sunderland
Current position: 10th
Possible final positions: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th
Sunderland must beat Chelsea to have any chance of European football. A win, coupled with Brentford failing to beat Liverpool, secures at least eighth. If Brighton also lose, Sunderland could climb to seventh and the Europa League.
