Champions League places still up for grabs
Current premier league table as of march 2024
Over the years, fans have grown so used to the Champions League spots consisting of four of Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham — the so-called ‘Big Six’. But last season, only three of those made it, with Newcastle being the first to break the hegemony since Leicester City in 2015/16.
It wasn’t just Newcastle challenging either; Brighton was climbing the table, while Aston Villa were also close. Liverpool finished fifth, Tottenham eighth and Chelsea down in 12th.
There is also the caveat that the Premier League could have an extra Champions League spot up for grabs, turning the top four into a top five, given the new format for next season. For now, though, four are guaranteed, so how is the race looking so far?
Teams which are almost certain for top 4
1.
Manchester City
2.
At this point, Manchester City finishing in the top four is a formality. They haven’t failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2009/10, only finishing lower than second three times.
The defending European champions, Man City, are third with 62 points from 27 games, most recently stringing together three consecutive wins over Brentford, Bournemouth and, most importantly, Manchester United. In fact, since losing to Aston Villa in December, Man City have won 10 of their past 13 games, only drawing against Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Liverpool
Last season wasn’t good enough for Liverpool, even though they only finished four points outside the top four. The Reds were seriously struggling at times and only clawed things back thanks to a fine run towards the end of the campaign.
That season has been well and truly put behind them. The Reds are second, one point behind Arsenal (with a game in hand), losing twice all season. Jurgen Klopp has announced that he will leave at the end of the season, but that news hasn’t affected the Liverpool players.
3.
Arsenal
There will have been some doubting Arsenal’s credentials to carry their momentum from last season, as they went so close to the Premier League title. The Gunners had enjoyed such a stark change in their performances that some called it a fluke.
But Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are showing that it is not; rather, it is the start of something potentially big. After 28 games, Arsenal is at the top of the league for now, and they’ve bounced back from consecutive defeats to West Ham and Fulham by going on an eight-game winning streak, most recently clinching a 2-1 victory over Brentford.
Teams still fighting for the 4th position
Tottenham
Tottenham entered the season uncertain about how they would do in Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign in the Premier League. They also lost Harry Kane in the summer, making the task harder for the Australian. But they have been brilliant.
Spurs have been playing attacking football, and fans have been craving and getting results. It hasn’t been perfect, but Tottenham are in relatively good form, winning eight of their past 13 games.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa finished strongly last season to secure European football, but how would they fare in Unai Emery’s first full campaign in charge? The answer turned out to be pretty well. The Villans had been counted among the title race, sometimes leading the table.
They did slow down slightly with just one win from five, which saw Villa drop to fifth, but a 5-0 win over Sheffield United lifted them back into the top four. Despite consecutive wins against Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Luton, they find themselves three points ahead of Spurs, who have a game in hand.
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag had a bit of a weird maiden campaign at Old Trafford, winning the EFL Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and getting Man Utd back into the top four, all while still feeling as though something was missing.
And that may be showing in Ten Hag's second season. The Red Devils have been underwhelming this season, losing 11 of their opening 28 matches.
That’s two more than they lost in all of last season already. A corner looked to have been turned with Man Utd going perfect in four games in February, but it all ended with back-to-back losses against Fulham and Man City. Even in their 2-0 win over Everton, they were underwhelming.