Chelsea fixtures compared to Man City, Newcastle, Forest and Villa in Champions League race

The fight for a top five finish in the Premier League has taken yet another twist and it could hardly have gone any better for Chelsea. After being on the brink three weeks ago away at Fulham with 10 minutes left, they now have margin for error again in their run-in.

When 1-0 down at Craven Cottage it looked like all hope was lost for Enzo Maresca. He had lost the supporters and the players had barely responded in a meek performance. Tyrique George's equaliser changed all of that and now Chelsea are in control of their own destiny.

Wins over Everton and more importantly Liverpool on Sunday have shifted the dynamics of the battle to qualify for the Champions League again. Nottingham Forest were beaten by Brentford in midweek and Newcastle United could only draw at Brighton.

Aston Villa did get a big win against Fulham to keep themselves in the mix but this was undoubtedly a weekend for Chelsea to savour. The job is not done yet, though.

The gap from Villa (seventh, 60 points) to Manchester City (second, 64 points) is small. Arsenal aren't entirely in the clear either, but would need to have an almighty collapse to really find themselves in the tangle.

It has set up a brilliant end to the season with the title wrapped up for Liverpool and all the relegation places decided. Six teams are competing for four places. Realistically, taking Arsenal out, it is five into three. Two will miss out on the Champions League.

Here, football.london goes through what is still remaining for each team.

Chelsea final three Premier League games:

Newcastle United (A) - Sunday, May 11.

Manchester United (H) - Friday, May 16.

Nottingham Forest (A) - Sunday, May 25.

football.london verdict: Chelsea do have a tough finish but they are now carrying a lot of confidence. Three league wins on the bounce and four in all competitions extends to six unbeaten domestically.

It looked like they would need to win all of their remaining games after draws at Brentford and at home to Ipswich Town but this Liverpool victory and other results mean they can probably afford draws vs Newcastle and Forest as long as there is a win over Manchester United first.

Chelsea have the momentum when two of their rivals have stalled. Crucially, they also have a goal difference advantage over Forest.. They only have to be better than sixth place, remember.

Newcastle United final three Premier League games:

Chelsea (H) - Sunday, May 11.

Arsenal (A) - Sunday, May 18.

Everton (H) - Sunday, May 25.

football.london verdict: Well, from being the form team in the Premier League, Newcastle have stuttered at a vital time. Their last three also look tricky.

The Chelsea showdown will be a swing game for the entire picture. Newcastle will be buoyed by Arsenal's recent struggles as well - especially if they're busy preparing for a Champions League final. Everton have also dropped off after David Moyes' initial bounce. St. James' Park will be a true weapon for Newcastle with two out of three games at home.

Manchester City final three Premier League games:

Southampton (A) - Saturday, May 10.

Bournemouth (H) - Tuesday, May 20.

Fulham (A) - Sunday, May 25.

football.london verdict: Here they come. Pep Guardiola's side are not at their best and were fortunate to get three points against Wolves on Saturday but winning streaks are their thing. It is now five wins in a row domestically and seven from their last eight in all competitions.

City are bearing down on Arsenal and could yet finish this season in second. They have a favourable run-in and will surely leave Chelsea, Newcastle, Forest, and Villa to fight for two places.

Nottingham Forest final four Premier League games:

Crystal Palace (A) - Monday, May 5.

Leicester City (H) - Sunday, May 11.

West Ham (A) - Sunday, May 18.

Chelsea (H) - Sunday, May 25.

football.london verdict: Forest's only win in their last five was against Tottenham, which says a lot. The City Ground has started to lose its fortress feeling and three defeats in four means they are on the way down with Villa climbing. They can still move level with Chelsea through Monday's game in hand, but Forest have lost their control of third and are now grappling to get back up.

Aston Villa final three Premier League games:

Bournemouth (A) - Saturday, May 10.

Tottenham (H) - Sunday, May 18.

Manchester United (A) - Sunday, May 25.

football.london verdict: Unai Emery has done brilliantly to stabilise Villa after their Champions League exit and got a huge win over Fulham after being left disappointed by the FA Cup semi-final exit to Crystal Palace just days after a late defeat to City. Villa's last three are harder on paper than in reality.

Bournemouth aren't playing with the same intensity as they were six weeks ago - although they did just beat Arsenal - and both Tottenham and Manchester United have Europa League plans firmly at the front of their mind. Pressure does strange things, but Villa could easily end with 69 points - which sets the standard for Chelsea.

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Chelsea ended the 2023/24 Premier League season on a high, but it is never quiet at Stamford Bridge and the summer looks set to be one full of news, with question marks over Mauricio Pochettino's future at the club and plenty of talk around transfers.

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