After a season-long tussle for football, the three teams still in contention for a place in next season’s competition will see their fate decided in the final seven days of the campaign.
and are firmly in the driving seat with two games still to be played for either side, whilst will need to do their job in their remaining solo fixture and hope for a slip-up from their top four rivals.
Let’s take a look at the Champions League permutations and find out what Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool all need to do qualify for Europe’s premier club competition next season.
What Newcastle need to qualify
Newcastle’s arithmetic for their final two games is simple.
One point from their remaining two games will be enough to see the Magpies qualify for the Champions League for the .
’s men host relegation threatened Leicester at St. James’ Park this evening (Monday, May 22), before facing away from home on the final day of the season.
After a defeat to Arsenal and a chaotic draw draw with Leeds, Newcastle’s Champions League quest was put firmly back on track with a 4-1 win over Brighton last Thursday.
What Manchester United need to qualify
Just like Newcastle, Manchester United are also on the brink of sealing Champions League football for next season.
A single point is all that is required from their final two league fixtures at home to Chelsea on Thursday and then home to Fulham on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s side have only lost once at Old Trafford all season and boast the fourth best home record in the league.
United’s last Champions League campaign in 2021/22 saw them knocked out in the Round of 16 by Atletico Madrid.
What Liverpool need to qualify
Liverpool’s Champions League fate is out of their hands.
In order for the iconic anthem to played at Anfield next season, Jurgen Klopp’s men must beat already-relegated Southampton on Sunday and hope either Newcastle or Manchester United don’t pick up any more points from their remaining fixtures.
If Manchester United lose their two games, Liverpool would leapfrog their arch-rivals into a Champions League spot on goal difference.
Liverpool (+28) boast a superior goal difference than United (+11) which would only increase with a Liverpool win and two United defeats.
It’s a little more complicated with Newcastle, however, given they have a goal difference of 35.
To overtake Newcastle on goal difference, a seven goal swing would be required from Liverpool’s win and Newcastle’s two defeats.
Before Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, the Reds had won seven Premier League games in a row to catapult themselves back into Champions League contention.
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