Chelsea's final 7 Premier League fixtures compared to Newcastle and Man City as fifth UCL spot confirmed

Arsenal’s stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night handed a major boost to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United as the Premier League top five will now qualify for next season’s competition.

There could still be up to seven Premier League sides in the Champions League next season with the top five set to qualify while Aston Villa would earn a place if they finish sixth or below but win this year’s tournament. Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United can also qualify if they win the Europa League.

Given English’s sides performances in European competitions this season, it only required one win from the five teams who are in action this week. The Gunners stunned the holders in North London with a remarkable display at the Emirates Stadium to take the pressure off their domestic rivals. Chelsea and Tottenham are both in European action on Thursday.

Chelsea boost as top-four battle becomes top-five battle

Enzo Maresca’s side sit fourth in the table after a 0-0 draw with Brentford on Sunday afternoon. They are four points behind Nottingham Forest in third and level on points with Newcastle United, who are fifth. The Magpies do have a game in hand, however, as they beat Leicester City 3-0 on Monday night. Manchester City are a point behind Chelsea in sixth with Villa two points adrift in seventh.

To earn an extra Champions League spot, each country’s top leagues earn a co-efficient ranking based on performances in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. Clubs are given coefficient points from wins and draws with bonus points available to teams who compete in the Champions League. It means that if there were to be seven English teams in the competition next year, the Premier League would have a greater chance of earning a fifth qualification spot once again next season.

Co-efficient rankings are tallied up and then divided by the number of teams a country has competing in European competition. The extra places in Europe’s elite club tournament were only introduced this season following a new format, with the extra spots going to Italy and Germany. Italy are currently second in the co-efficient rankings. They have eight teams competing in Europe this season.

Chelsea final 7 fixtures compared to rivals

Chelsea have seven games remaining to now secure a top-five spot as they seek to qualify for the Champions League in Maresca’s first season. Liverpool and Arsenal look set to finish first and second with Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, Man City and Villa to battle it out for the remaining three places. Fulham are five points behind Newcastle in fifth after their win over Liverpool. While a top-five finish may be a stretch, eighth position could mean a Europa Conference League spot if Man City, Nottingham Forest or Aston Villa win the Europa League.

Chelsea: Ipswich (H), Fulham (A), Everton (H), Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Nottingham Forest (A).

Nottingham Forest: Everton (H), Tottenham (A), Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (A), Leicester (H), West Ham (A), Chelsea (H).

Man City: Crystal Palace (H), Everton (A), Aston Villa (H), Wolves (H) Southampton (A), Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A).

Newcastle United: Man Utd (H), Crystal Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Ipswich Town (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Chelsea (H), Arsenal, (A) Everton (H).

Aston Villa: Southampton (A), Newcastle United (H), Man City (A), Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Man Utd (A).