What is needed for Newcastle United to get Champions League qualification this weekend – An explanation | OneFootball

Here we go, an explanation of what is needed for Newcastle United (and others) to confirm top five and Champions League football this weekend.

There are ten Premier League matches in total that remain, involving the six clubs that will fill places second to seventh in the Premier League.

Five of those ten games that involve Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, Chelsea, Villa and Forest, will kick off at 4pm on Sunday 25 May, the final day of the season.

However, first of all we have the other five of the ten this coming weekend, stretching from tonight (Friday 16 May) to Tuesday 20 May.

Here are those ten remaining matches for Newcastle United and their five rivals.

Friday 16 May

Villa v Spurs (7.30pm)

Chelsea v Man U (8.15pm)

Sunday 18 May

West Ham v Forest (2.15pm)

Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm)

Tuesday 20 May

Man City v Bournemouth (8pm)

Sunday 25 May

Fulham v Man City (4pm)

Man U v Villa (4pm)

Newcastle v Everton (4pm)

Forest v Chelsea (4pm)

Southampton v Arsenal (4pm)

BBC Sport explanation of what is needed for Newcastle United (and others) to confirm top five and Champions League football this weekend – 16 May 2025:

‘Let’s have a look at which clubs can decide their fate this weekend –

Arsenal will clinch a Champions League spot if they beat Newcastle on Sunday.

A draw will also be enough unless Chelsea and Aston Villa both win on Friday, and Manchester City avoid defeat on Tuesday. But because the Gunners’ goal difference is significantly better than the sides below them, a draw will realistically ensure a top-five spot, regardless of results elsewhere.

If they lose, Arsenal will qualify for Europe’s elite competition should Villa fail to win or if both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest fail to win. This takes into account that Forest host Chelsea on the final day and both sides cannot catch the Gunners.

Because of Arsenal’s goal difference, the only scenario in which they could retain a realistic chance of missing out on Champions League qualification would be if they lose and both Chelsea and Villa win.

A win will guarantee Newcastle a Champions League place UNLESS Chelsea and Aston Villa both win and Manchester City avoid defeat. But because of their goal difference advantage over Villa, a win will realistically ensure a top-five spot for Eddie Howe’s side, regardless of results elsewhere.

A draw will be good enough [for Newcastle United] if:

– Aston Villa lose (as Forest play Chelsea on the final day and both sides wouldn’t be able to overtake the Magpies)

– Chelsea lose and Nottingham Forest fail to win

Should Newcastle and Villa both draw, Eddie Howe’s side would be realistically assured of Champions League qualification because of their goal difference. The same applies if the Magpies lose, Villa also lose and either Forest or Chelsea fail to win.

Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League if they defeat Bournemouth and Villa fail to win, OR Man City claim victory and both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest fail to win.

Because of Man City’s goal difference, a point against the Cherries will realistically be enough if Chelsea or Forest fail to win and Aston Villa lose.

Chelsea can’t mathematically clinch a top-five spot before the final day – but if they win and both Villa and Forest lose, their superior goal difference would make it all but certain. Should Chelsea win, Villa lose and Forest draw, the Londoners would have to lose their last game (against Forest) by at least four goals to be caught.