Liverpool Face Brutal Champions League Run-In as Five Clubs Battle for Top-Four Spots
The Champions League qualification race is heating up nicely. Arsenal's 1-0 triumph over Sporting on Tuesday means the Premier League will have five representatives in Europe's elite competition next season, and while the Gunners and Manchester City have locked down the top two, the remaining three spots remain very much up for grabs.
Six teams are scrapping it out for those coveted positions, and their remaining fixtures paint wildly different pictures. Here's how they stack up, ranked from most favourable to most nightmarish run-ins.
6. Everton
Everton have quietly crept into Champions League contention this season, and their fixture list could be their greatest ally. With a combined opponent league standing of 74 across their final seven games, they're in a genuinely comfortable spot—relatively speaking.
The Toffees' toughest remaining hurdles are Liverpool and Manchester City, both coming at home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. After the City clash in gameweek 35, they face Palace and Sunderland, teams likely to be playing for nothing, before a trip to a potentially already-relegated Spurs. This weekend's away fixture at Brentford represents a genuine test against a direct rival, but David Moyes will be eyeing three points there with confidence.
If they can manage that, a first Champions League return since 2006 suddenly looks achievable.
Current position: 8th (46 points)
Remaining fixtures: Brentford (A), Liverpool (H), West Ham (A), Manchester City (H), Crystal Palace (A), Sunderland (H), Tottenham (A)
Home/Away split: 3/4
Combined opponent standing: 74
5. Manchester United
United have banked their points already, but the next four games could define their entire season. They host Leeds, Brentford and Liverpool at Old Trafford, with a trip to Stamford Bridge sandwiched in at gameweek 33. That quartet could make or break their campaign.
The good news? Everything after that looks considerably gentler. Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton await, with only Forest potentially still having something to play for—and that game comes in the penultimate round when they could already be safe or down. With no other competitions demanding attention, Michael Carrick should be feeling pretty bullish about Champions League qualification.
Current position: 3rd (55 points)
Remaining fixtures: Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A)
Home/Away split: 4/3
Combined opponent standing: 70
4. Aston Villa
On paper, Villa have the most straightforward run-in in terms of combined opponent standings, but they need to stockpile points now before things get properly sticky. They're away to Forest this weekend, then face Sunderland and Fulham before consecutive relegation-battlers Tottenham and Burnley come calling.
If Villa haven't nailed down Champions League qualification by that stage, the two-game finale against Liverpool and Manchester City could prove terminal. There's also a Europa League campaign to juggle, which adds another layer of complexity to their bid.
Current position: 4th (54 points)
Remaining fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Bologna (Europa League – H), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Manchester City (A)
Home/Away split: 3/4
Combined opponent standing: 79
3. Chelsea
The Blues still have three current top-five sides to navigate, with two of those clashes coming in the next fortnight. Manchester City—chasing Arsenal—come first, followed by a Manchester United side that's enjoyed plenty of downtime recently.
Should they negotiate that minefield, the path softens considerably: Brighton, Forest, Liverpool and Spurs before a final-day trip to Sunderland. An FA Cup semi-final and potential final add further distraction to their European ambitions.
Current position: 6th (48 points)
Remaining fixtures: Manchester City (H), Manchester United (H), Brighton (A), Leeds (FA Cup), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A)
Home/Away split: 4/3
Combined opponent standing: 64
2. Brentford
Keith Andrews surely deserves manager-of-the-season consideration already, but getting Brentford into the Champions League would be nothing short of a masterstroke. They're facing the second-toughest run-in of any contender, with away trips to United, City and Liverpool all pencilled in.
This weekend's home clash with Everton represents a proper examination of their credentials, though they do get Fulham and Palace at home—sides with little left to play for. The Bees have given themselves every chance, and Andrews' tactical acumen will be tested to the limit.
Current position: 7th (46 points)
Remaining fixtures: Everton (H), Fulham (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H), Manchester City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A)
Home/Away split: 4/3
Combined opponent standing: 59
1. Liverpool
Here's where it gets properly grim for the Reds. Pessimists would suggest they're in trouble; optimists might argue their fate remains in their own hands. The numbers, though, tell a damning story.
Liverpool's remaining opponents have a combined league standing of just 51—by far the lowest (meaning worst) of any Champions League contender. Yet somehow, they still face an away Merseyside derby, trips to Old Trafford and Villa Park, plus home fixtures against Chelsea and Brentford. Even Fulham and Palace at home carry danger.
Arne Slot's side, already rattled by that PSG defeat, currently occupy fifth, with just three points separating them from their Merseyside neighbours down in eighth. The irony is brutal: the easiest-looking fixture list on paper, yet the most treacherous in reality.
Current position: 5th (49 points)
Remaining fixtures: Fulham (H), PSG (UCL – H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Manchester United (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H)
Home/Away split: 4/3
Combined opponent standing: 51
