From despair to delirium, Ange and Amorim on the cusp of glory

Premier League top five race heats up as Chelsea, Newcastle, Forest & Villa battle for UCL spots. Spurs, Man Utd seal Europa final spots.

Tottenham and Manchester United have endured a torrid season in the Premier League but one of them is about to lift the Europa League. (Photo credit: GOAL)

It’s a big weekend in the world of football across European leagues. From Inter Milan and Napoli’s chase for the Scudetto to El Clásico in Spain and the continuous chase for the top five in the Premier League.

As always, our focus is on the Premier League, where Manchester United and Tottenham both left it late, but what a time to hit form! The duo recorded big results on Thursday to book their respective places in the Europa League final, which means one of them will be in the Champions League next season.

How interesting is that? Considering the fact that two of Chelsea, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle would miss out despite finishing in the top seven. Chelsea are in the Conference League final where they will play against Real Betis; it could be double joy for them at the end of the season.

We look at where they all are and what could happen this weekend. Arsenal are away to Liverpool at Anfield. The Gunners only need about four points from their final three games; this might not be enough to finish second, but it guarantees Champions League football, so they aren’t in the pool.

Manchester City has also been removed from the pool, and the reason is because their next game is against an already relegated Southampton; we know enough to say nothing is guaranteed; however, their late-season form is on, and Bournemouth and Fulham should not stop them in the other fixtures.

So, Newcastle have it all to play for in their remaining three fixtures. Ideally, Eddie Howe’s side must win their remaining three games to be safe, as they sit neck-and-neck with Chelsea in fourth and fifth, while Forest is only two points behind them and Aston Villa three.

It's a straight six-pointer against Chelsea at St James’s Park this weekend. If Newcastle wins this one, they get a three-point cushion over the Blues, and that gives them confidence ahead of their trip to the Emirates, where a draw could suffice before settling at home in their final game against Everton.

The Blues must do it the hard way if they want to make it to the Champions League next season. They must go to two of their top five rivals and win – they face Newcastle next, away from home, before hosting Manchester United in their final home game of the season and ending it all at Nottingham Forest.

For Forest, they’re probably the ones you feel sorry for the most. How did they get here? From being two points behind Arsenal to now being in danger of missing out on the top five. They can beat Leicester and West Ham to be in a good place and then face Chelsea on the final day.

There are no two ways about it for Aston Villa; they must win all their three remaining games to stand a chance, as they’re behind by three points. They’re away to Bournemouth this weekend, after which they will host Tottenham and then finish the season away at Old Trafford. Are they out of the equation?