Newcastle’s final five games compared to Aston Villa, Chelsea, Forest and Man City

Liverpool and Arsenal are near certain locks to finish 1st and 2nd, but of the five teams directly below them, the competition for just three places has never been more fierce.

Following on from Man City and Aston Villa’s recent game on Tuesday night, here’s where each team, including Newcastle, stands heading into the final few fixtures.

1. Ipswich (H)
2. Brighton (A)
3. Chelsea (H)
4. Arsenal (A)
5. Everton (H)

We control our own destiny: win all our games, or at least avoid dropping as many points as possible, and we will be playing in the Champions League next season. Sounds easy, right?

Our run-in opens with a very winnable home game against soon-to-be relegated Ipswich, before three consecutive clashes with top 10 sides in the form of Brighton, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Everton come to St James’ Park on the final day, which on paper is ideal for us as the Toffees are safe from relegation and will have already played their final game at Goodison Park against Southampton.

At the time of writing, 69 points will guarantee Europa League football, but this threshold will likely go down over the coming weeks.

Nine points should be enough for Eddie Howe and the lads to relive Champions League nights once again.

1. Fulham (H)
2. Bournemouth (A)
3. Tottenham (H)
4. Man Utd (A)

48 hours ago, Villa posed a serious threat in terms of us qualifying for the Champions League.

Now, less so. as we’ve now been gifted a bigger goal difference and a game in hand on Unai Emery’s side.

Fulham and Bournemouth will present a sizeable challenge to Villa, as they could be eyeing up a late challenge for a Conference League spot.

This is then followed by two ‘Big Six’ strugglers who, whilst you can never count them out, both have important Europa League games on the horizon.

1. Everton (H)
2. Liverpool (H)
3. Newcastle (A)
4. Man Utd (H)
5. Nottingham Forest (A)

Back at Christmas, Chelsea were as high as 2nd in the table, but now they run the risk of missing out on European football altogether.

Coupled with a very tough run, including visiting St James’ Park having already lost there this season, Chelsea could be in a financially precarious position should they not make the top five.

1. Brentford (H)
2. Crystal Palace (A)
3. Leicester City (H)
4. West Ham (A)
5. Chelsea (H)

Whilst Nottingham Forest have the smaller matter of the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City to also compete for, Nuno Santo’s side are in a moderately comfortable position as things stand.

Two favourable games against Leicester City and West Ham should be an easy six points, but all eyes will be on the final day clash with Chelsea which could have unimaginably high stakes if it becomes winner takes all for a coveted European spot.

1. Wolves (H)
2. Southampton (A)
3. Bournemouth (H)
4. Fulham (A)

Even if their search for an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title came to a screeching halt earlier in the season, Pep Guardiola’s side can truly never be counted out when the stakes are high.

Even though they have one less game to play and accrue points than ourselves, Forest and Chelsea, the out-of-form Southampton and Bournemouth games are looking like very winnable games.

But Wolves and Fulham will pose a big challenge from two sides hungry to take a big scalp even this late in the season.

Even in what’s been an underwhelming season for the Cityzens, they’ve still won as many games as those around them, it would take something head-scratching from Pep to see them miss out on the Champions League.