The Opta SuperComputer has made its predictions for which Premier League teams are likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Next year, five English clubs are guaranteed places in the competition. ..Continue Reading
The fight for qualification remains intense, with just four points separating third-placed Manchester City and seventh-placed Aston Villa.
City moved up the table behind leaders Liverpool and Arsenal after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Villa on Tuesday night.
As a result, Opta’s SuperComputer now considers Villa outsiders in the race for the top five, giving them just a 17.3% chance of securing a Champions League spot.
Chelsea’s chances are slightly higher at 29.7%.
Newcastle have been handed a 77.6% probability, Nottingham Forest are rated at 80.1%, while City are near-certainties at 95.1%.
Both City and Villa have played one more match than their competitors. Newcastle, Chelsea, and Forest each have five games remaining.
Liverpool have already mathematically secured Champions League qualification, while Arsenal are all but confirmed to join them, boasting a comfortable nine-point lead over sixth place.
That leaves Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa battling it out for the remaining three Champions League positions.
