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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
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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