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Newcastle are in pole position for a place in the Champions League for the first time since 2003Newcastle and Manchester United are now both just one point away from securing their spots in next season’s Champions League.
With Manchester City winning the Premier League title and Arsenal assured of second, the Magpies and Red Devils are on the brink of joining them in the Champions League after Saturday’s results.
Liverpool made a late push into top-four contention but their run of seven Premier League wins in a row was ended by a draw with Aston Villa, allowing Manchester United to extend their lead over their rivals to three points with victory at Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Newcastle took a big step towards clinching Champions League qualification with their win over Brighton on Thursday – they remain third, three points ahead of Liverpool, and will guarantee a top-four finish with a draw against Leicester City on Monday.
The Reds’ hopes are now hanging by a thread given they have played a game more than both Newcastle and Manchester United.
The sides that finish in the top seven will secure some form of European football next season – BBC Sport takes a look at how things are shaping up.
Who can finish in the Champions League places?Manchester City, who could win the Champions League this season, have been crowned Premier League champions, while Arsenal are guaranteed to finish second.
Third-placed Newcastle and Manchester United in fourth, both on 69 points, need just one point from their remaining two matches to secure a place in the top four.
Liverpool are three points back in fifth with one game remaining.
The Reds were 12 points behind on 9 April, but their recent resurgence has kept them in the mix – while Manchester United have won only two of their past four games.
If Manchester City go on to win the Champions League, whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League will not gain qualification to next year’s competition as a result.
The only circumstances under which five English teams could qualify for the Champions League is if a Premier League club wins the competition but then fails to finish inside the top four.
What about the Europa League?The teams that finish fifth and sixth in the Premier League are guaranteed a place in the Europa League, because FA Cup finalists Manchester City and Manchester United will finish in the top six.
Liverpool currently occupy fifth position – they are five points clear of sixth-placed Brighton, who have a game in hand, with Aston Villa three points behind the Seagulls and Tottenham a further point back.
The Reds are guaranteed Europa League football – if they don’t make the top four – while Brighton have secured European football and need a point to make it to the Europa League.
What abo
Source: BBC Sport | Read More
