The Teams Battling for a Top 4 Finish in the Premier League

Currently the Premier League title race looks set to be a two horse race between current leaders Liverpool and 2nd place side Arsenal. Man City are currently 12 points behind the leaders and have played a game more, making it look like they are out of the title race. Nottingham Forest have surprised everybody and currently sit in 3rd place, just 6 points behind Liverpool, but it would be very surprising if they were to continue this and remain in a title race, although they are definitely in a race for the top 4 and those coveted Champions League places.
The top 2 spots look to be Liverpool and Arsenal’s but the other two Champions league places are very much up for grabs. At the moment, the spots look like they are between Nottingham Forest, Man City, Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa, but who is best placed to make it into the Champions League for next season.

1️⃣ Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest has experienced a remarkable 2024–2025 Premier League season under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. As of January 8, 2025, the team stands third in the league, level on points with Arsenal and six points behind leaders Liverpool. A key factor in their good form this season is their defensive stability, winning their last 6 games, keeping clean sheets in their last 4 games. Players like Morgan Gibbs White and Chris Wood have been in excellent form this season and could help Nottingham Forest achieve something that was unthinkable at the start of the season, with many tipping them to be fighting relegation. It will be difficult for Forest to continue the form they have shown and qualify for the Champions League, but it would be a great story for football.
2️⃣ Man City
It is surprising that we are talking of Man City as a top 4 contender rather than a title contender but their form over the last couple of months has seen them have a large mountain to climb if they are to win a 5th Premier League title in a row. Their focus should now be on making sure they have Champions League football for next season. They have won their last 2 games but will need to show more consistent form if they are to get into Europe’s elite, but out of all the teams vying for the potential 2 spots they are the favourites.
3️⃣ Chelsea
Chelsea have struggled in recent seasons and have been so far away of Champions League qualification. This season, under new manager Enzo Maresca the blues have been an interesting prospect, playing some fluid attacking football. In recent weeks their form has dipped but they are still well in the hunt for a Champions League spot and will be up there with Man City as the favourites.
"The race for the top 4 is shaping up to be an exciting battle. While the title race seems to be a contest between Liverpool and Arsenal, unexpected twists could still emerge"
4️⃣ Newcastle
Newcastle gained a top 4 spot two seasons ago meaning they spent last season in the UEFA Champions League. They had an unlucky campaign last season finishing 4th in a group that consisted of AC Milan, PSG and Borussia Dortmund. They struggled in the league last season being hampered by injuries but this season they look back to the side they were two seasons ago and I believe they are in a great position to get top 4.
5️⃣ Aston Villa
Aston Villa had an amazing season last year, finishing 4th in the Premier League. They have got the taste of UEFA Champions League football this campaign and will be desperate to get back. They have been a mixed bag this season and currently find themselves in 8th place, 4 points off Chelsea in 4th and 8 points off Forest in 3rd.
The race for the top 4 is shaping up to be an exciting battle. While the title race seems to be a contest between Liverpool and Arsenal, unexpected twists could still emerge. As teams vie for those coveted Champions League spots, the competition promises to be full of surprises. Though it's early for definitive predictions, here's my take on how the table might finish:
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Man City
- Newcastle
- Chelsea
- Nottingham Forest
- Aston Villa
Each club brings its own strengths to the competition, and the dynamics of the league ensure nothing is set in stone. Keep an eye on the evolving narrative as the season unfolds.
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✒️ Jack Guing – Football and GAA Sports Expert
Jack Guing has a strong knowledge of the sport of GAA through the lens of performance analysis with multiple GAA teams. He holds a master's degree in sports performance. He has a huge love of all things sports, especially golf, soccer and GAA. He uses statistics and performance analysis in order to predict the outcome of matches and events.
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