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A look at the Premier League's fight for Europe

A look at the Premier League's fight for Europe
© Reuters
Three teams are fighting for two Champions League places, while spots in the Europa League and Europa Conference League are up for grabs.

While the title race and relegation battle have been settled, there is still a fight for European places ongoing heading into Sunday's final round of matches of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at the situation.

Who has already secured a place in Europe?

PA Graphics.

Manchester City and Manchester United have sealed Champions League places, with them confirmed as Premier League title-winners and runners-up respectively. Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester, the sides vying for the two other top-four slots, are guaranteed Europa League football at least.

What do Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester need for a top-four finish?

Chelsea, a point better off than fourth-placed Liverpool and Leicester in fifth, can cement third spot with a win at Aston Villa. Liverpool will look to wrap up a top-four berth when they play Crystal Palace at Anfield. Leicester, whose goal difference is inferior to Liverpool's by four and Chelsea's by three, will need a big win over Tottenham or hope results elsewhere go their way.

Who else is in the Europa League picture?

West Ham will qualify for the Europa League if they avoid defeat against Southampton (Molly Darlington/PA).
West Ham will qualify for the Europa League if they avoid defeat against Southampton (Molly Darlington/PA).

As well as the fifth spot that will be occupied by one of Chelsea, Liverpool or Leicester, sixth is also a Europa League berth, with the Foxes having won the FA Cup. West Ham hold that position, three points clear of Tottenham (seventh) and Everton (eighth).

Who needs what to clinch sixth?
The Hammers will nail the place down if they avoid defeat at home against Southampton. If they do lose, Spurs would leapfrog them with a win at Leicester. Everton claiming sixth looks unlikely even if they win at Manchester City, West Ham lose and Tottenham fail to win, owing to respective goal differences – theirs is inferior to West Ham's by eight.

Anything else?

Arsenal can still finish seventh, which is a Europa Conference League berth (Frank Augstein/PA).
Arsenal can still finish seventh, which is a Europa Conference League berth (Frank Augstein/PA).

There is also a place in the inaugural Europa Conference League up for grabs – the way things have panned out this term has resulted in that going to whichever team finishes seventh. Arsenal and Leeds mathematically remain possibilities to clinch that spit.

And what's the scenario there?

Arsenal are a point behind Spurs and Everton in ninth. They will rise two places if those sides do not win and the Gunners beat Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. A draw could be enough, although it is another case that seems unlikely due to goal difference, with theirs seven worse than Tottenham's. While Leeds, two points behind Arsenal, need a win at home against West Brom, their goal difference is such that it appears almost impossible for them to get up to seventh.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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