Betting Tips
Chasing Europe; EPL’s Top 5 Race
by Olumide Ige
9 May 2025
The battle for Champions League slot has never been tighter even with a guaranteed extra slot for England raising the numbers to 5. So this year, instead of the tradition top 4 battle, we are having a top 5 show down and boy, is it a showdown. Only Liverpool are assured of a spot as they have secured top spot and won the league.
We thought Arsenal had secured the League's second spot until their loss at home to Bournemouth. Now they are just 3 points above Manchester City in third position, which is surprising considering the "Bad" season City can claim to have had.
Nottingham Forest is another side that seemed to have secured a spot in the top5 slot only for a run of bad form (3 losses in 5) have seen them drop down to 6th on the table.
Arsenal
Long believed to have sealed the second spot , at some point there was even some hope to beat Liverpool to the title but a run of just one win in their last five games coupled with fatigue from their Champions league League fixtures dashed those dreams. The last three matches of the season might prove a little tricky.
Away to crowned champions Liverpool might have proven tricky in the past but with the title already decided and Liverpool having closed their season, 3 points might just be up for Arsenal to pick (If they are serious about it). Hosting Newcastle at home however might prove their toughest fixture. However, trust in Arsenal to definitely make the Top 4 and an automatic UCL spot.
Manchester City
A bad season? Maybe but 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 games have pushed Pep Guadiola and his men up to third place, just 3 points behind Arsenal. Their next match is an away trip to St Mary to face relegated side Southampton then they host Bournemouth before closing the season with another trip to Fulham. Considering the quality of their fixtures, I think it is a safe bet to say Manchester City are going to clinch second position ahead of Arsenal.
Newcastle United
If there is any team ready to get their hands dirty and fight to the end, it is definitely Newcastle. Even with midfield enforcer Joelinton still out with injury, a win in their next matches over fellow contenders Chelsea and Arsenal should be possible. Then they end their season at home to Everton who at this point have nothing to play for. The Match against Chelsea precisely should dictate how the season ends for Eddie Howe and his army.
Chelsea
The Billionaires or so we thought but as we have learnt over the years in football, money does not always guarantee consistency or success. As at December, there were talks about the boys in blue contesting for the title with Liverpool but a rough run over the next three months saw them tumble out of contention to fifth place and a struggle to hold on to it.
After giving Champions Liverpool a guard of honour right before beating them, a trip to St James' park awaits them. A loss there might just end their season early. Their last two fixtures are also as tough as can be, against fallen giants (Playing for nothing but pride at this point) and then away to another top 5 contender, Nottingham Forest. Pray for Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest.
The Outsiders who had it all but then threw it away. Nottingham had sat comfortably in the Top 3 for months, it was a forgone issue that they were going to the Champions league next season. It is just shocking what a run of 1 win in 5 matches can do to you. Their next match is up against relegated Leicester City, a win would more than do enough for their hope and there is the belief that they would beat Chelsea at home on the last day of the season.
Final Prediction
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Manchester City
- Nottingham
- Newcastle
The battle for Champions League slot has never been tighter even with a guaranteed extra slot for England raising the numbers to 5. So this year, instead of the tradition top 4 battle, we are having a top 5 show down and boy, is it a showdown. Only Liverpool are assured of a spot as they have secured top spot and won the league.
We thought Arsenal had secured the League's second spot until their loss at home to Bournemouth. Now they are just 3 points above Manchester City in third position, which is surprising considering the "Bad" season City can claim to have had.
Nottingham Forest is another side that seemed to have secured a spot in the top5 slot only for a run of bad form (3 losses in 5) have seen them drop down to 6th on the table.
Arsenal
Long believed to have sealed the second spot , at some point there was even some hope to beat Liverpool to the title but a run of just one win in their last five games coupled with fatigue from their Champions league League fixtures dashed those dreams. The last three matches of the season might prove a little tricky.
Away to crowned champions Liverpool might have proven tricky in the past but with the title already decided and Liverpool having closed their season, 3 points might just be up for Arsenal to pick (If they are serious about it). Hosting Newcastle at home however might prove their toughest fixture. However, trust in Arsenal to definitely make the Top 4 and an automatic UCL spot.
Manchester City
A bad season? Maybe but 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 games have pushed Pep Guadiola and his men up to third place, just 3 points behind Arsenal. Their next match is an away trip to St Mary to face relegated side Southampton then they host Bournemouth before closing the season with another trip to Fulham. Considering the quality of their fixtures, I think it is a safe bet to say Manchester City are going to clinch second position ahead of Arsenal.
Newcastle United
If there is any team ready to get their hands dirty and fight to the end, it is definitely Newcastle. Even with midfield enforcer Joelinton still out with injury, a win in their next matches over fellow contenders Chelsea and Arsenal should be possible. Then they end their season at home to Everton who at this point have nothing to play for. The Match against Chelsea precisely should dictate how the season ends for Eddie Howe and his army.
Chelsea
The Billionaires or so we thought but as we have learnt over the years in football, money does not always guarantee consistency or success. As at December, there were talks about the boys in blue contesting for the title with Liverpool but a rough run over the next three months saw them tumble out of contention to fifth place and a struggle to hold on to it.
After giving Champions Liverpool a guard of honour right before beating them, a trip to St James' park awaits them. A loss there might just end their season early. Their last two fixtures are also as tough as can be, against fallen giants (Playing for nothing but pride at this point) and then away to another top 5 contender, Nottingham Forest. Pray for Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest.
The Outsiders who had it all but then threw it away. Nottingham had sat comfortably in the Top 3 for months, it was a forgone issue that they were going to the Champions league next season. It is just shocking what a run of 1 win in 5 matches can do to you. Their next match is up against relegated Leicester City, a win would more than do enough for their hope and there is the belief that they would beat Chelsea at home on the last day of the season.
Final Prediction
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Manchester City
- Nottingham
- Newcastle