Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola says his facet should “struggle till the top” within the race to safe a Champions League spot after slipping up on Saturday.
Metropolis may have taken an enormous step in the direction of sealing a top-five spot, however drew 0-0 at all-time low Southampton.
They’re now solely two factors above Newcastle and Chelsea – who meet on Sunday – plus Aston Villa, who beat Bournemouth on Saturday night.
Seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who play relegated Leicester on Sunday, are 4 factors behind Metropolis.
After the Saints draw, Guardiola mentioned his facet had three cup finals left – together with subsequent weekend’s precise FA Cup closing in opposition to Crystal Palace.
“I did not anticipate otherwise from a month in the past, that it is a struggle till the top,” he mentioned.
Metropolis may discover themselves exterior the Champions League locations earlier than they play within the league once more (in opposition to Bournemouth on Tuesday, 20 Might) – as a result of most of their rivals may have performed a few times earlier than then.
Solely champions Liverpool have sealed a Champions League place thus far however second-placed Arsenal, who go to Anfield on Sunday, will hope to quickly be a part of them.
There will likely be 9 Premier league groups competing in Europe subsequent season – up from the same old seven – however issues may change within the closing weeks of the marketing campaign.
Crystal Palace, who’re twelfth, would qualify for the Europa League in the event that they win the FA Cup closing.
Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, and to a lesser extent Fulham, are all vying for eighth spot which could be sufficient.
The Bees are in eighth, above Albion on aim distinction, two factors forward of the Cherries and 4 away from the Cottagers.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, after a 1-0 win at Ipswich, instructed BBC Sport: “We have now received the momentum which is necessary.
“We’re near ending eighth which might be the most effective place ever within the league. We’re laser targeted on what we are able to do. We have now given little or no away however nonetheless created rather a lot.
“We simply have to push and revel in it, the following two video games, after which reset our goal.”
Manchester United and Tottenham meet within the Europa League closing with the winners qualifying for the Champions League.
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