Unlike the past two seasons, the Premier League title race hasn’t been that exciting, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool left the rivals “eat their dust” and are on the verge of clinching their 20th title in history. Adding that the names of three “travellers” to the Championship have also been known for some time may indicate that the current EPL campaign has lacked intensity in general.Well, that’s not true, thanks to the fierce battle for the TOP 5 positions, which will lead to the Champions League next season. Moreover, the finish of the EPL season guarantees fireworks.Van Dijk follows Salah and signs a new Liverpool contactSince the Reds have – as mentioned – almost secured the silverware and Arsenal will probably end up in the vice-champion spot for the third consecutive time, only three UCL places remain, with five candidates fighting for them.Here’s an analysis of what EPL fans can expect in the remaining six rounds – which teams are closest to the elite European competitions and who will face the toughest challenges to achieve the greatly desired success.#3 Newcastle UnitedEven though Nottingham Forest have held the spot behind the leading duo for months, since Wednesday night, the Magpies are third. Although without their boss Eddie Howe – who’s recovering from pneumonia – Newcastle first crushed Man United on Sunday (4-1) and then Crystal Palace in a postponed game on Wednesday (5-0), leapfrogging the Trees.In my free time, I humiliate Liverpool and push cars for strangersThe Magpies are only four points away from the second-placed Gunners, though their schedule is far from easy. Tomorrow, they travel to Villa Park to face their direct competitors for a spot in the TOP 5. Apart from the game in Birmingham, they’ll also visit Amex Stadium and Emirates and host the nearly relegated Ipswich Town, another direct rival, Chelsea, and Everton in the last round.Either way, the club from the east of England is currently in the best form in the league, and it would be a massive surprise not to watch them in the Champions League for the second season in a row.#4 Nottingham ForestNuno Espirito Santo’s men were at one point considered title candidates, as many recalled the 2016 Premier League and Leicester’s major success. Yet, following the two consecutive defeats to Aston Villa and Everton, the Trees seriously jeopardized their TOP 5 spot, as the seventh-placed Villans are only three points below.Anderson, Milenkovic, Aina, and Silva of Forest (©Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)A problem – or better said, a “sweet torment” – for Nottingham could be the FA Cup semi-final against Man City, as they won’t be able to concentrate solely on the Premier League. But with a trophy at stake, they’ll undoubtedly overcome the fatigue quickly.In the final six rounds, Forest will have three tricky away games against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, while Brentford, Leicester City, and Chelsea will come to City Ground.All in all, unlike Newcastle, Nottingham’s UCL ticket is still in danger.#5 Manchester CityThis season is indeed the worst Man City’s in the Pep Guardiola’s era, but it could become even worse if the Cityzens miss out the Champions League three seasons after winning it for the first time in history.Yet, after a nightmarish December and January, Man City have lately found their good form, which moved them closer to the top of the table.Hey, KDB, there’s one thing you’ll never beAs mentioned, they’ll also play the FA Cup semi-finals, but their EPL schedule is slightly easier than Newcastle and Forest’s, as the Cityzens will face two relegation-strugglers, Wolverhampton and Southampton. They’ll also await Aston Villa (in one of the key clashes) and Bournemouth and lock horns with Everton at Goodison (for the last time) and Fulham at Craven Cottage.Still, regardless of their form and schedule, it would be hard to imagine the Champions League without Man City.#6 ChelseaOut of all five TOP 5 contenders, the Blues must be in the worst form, as they seem to have entered the crisis at the worst possible moment when essential battles will be fought. On top of everything, they will have “one hell of a schedule” in the last six rounds.Although Chelsea sit only one point behind Man City, their situation could have been much more comfortable if they hadn’t lost two points against Ipswich, though truth be told, they were on the verge of a defeat in that match.Chelsea preparing another ‘raid’ on Brighton?In the final six rounds, the Blues are in for a city derby against Fulham, a great derby against Liverpool, two clashes with direct UCL rivals Newcastle and Nottingham, and duels against Everton and Man United at Stamford Bridge.The UEFA Conference League semi-final matches against the Swedish Djurgarden should not be forgotten either, as they will only increase the pressure on Enzo Maresca’s squad.In the end, considering all the factors, Chelsea may easily lose their UCL spot and end up in the UEFA Europa League, and although that would be a step forward compared to this season, they would hardly be satisfied with such a turn of events at Stamford Bridge.#7 Aston VillaThe Villans are just like Chelsea, one point behind the fifth-placed Cityzens, and they seem to have paid the price of their Champions League campaign, which they recently finished after being eliminated by PSG.Unai Emery’s crew is one of the four “last standing” teams in the FA Cup, while their final six EPL rivals are almost as tricky as Chelsea’s.Will they get to watch the Champions League next season? (©Dan Istitene/Getty Images)The club from Birmingham will lock horns with Newcastle, Fulham, and Tottenham at home and the Manchester giants and Bournemouth on the road. Saying that the Villans will have to be on their “top-notch” level to book their ticket for the second consecutive UCL season would be unnecessary, as that’s crystal clear.However, at the moment, Villa’s and Chelsea’s Champions League chances seem the smallest.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 33Saturday17:00: (2.50) Brentford (3.65) Brighton (2.65)17:00: (2.85) Crystal Palace (3.50) Bournemouth (2.60)17:00: (3.80) Everton (3.50) Man.City (2.00)17:00: (1.48) West Ham (4.30) Southampton (7.00)19:30: (2.45) Aston Villa (3.50) Newcastle (3.00)Sunday16:00: (2.95) Fulham (3.50) Chelsea (2.50)16:00: (7.25) Ipswich (4.40) Arsenal (1.45)16:00: (2.30) Man.Utd. (3.40) Wolverhampton (3.10)18:30: (12.0) Leicester (6.50) Liverpool (1.22)Monday22:00: (2.55) Tottenham (3.50) Nott.Forest (2.85)***odds are subject to change***
