Only one Champions League clash eludes the broadcasters | OneFootball

The Champions League countdown has well and truly begun.

In 25 days time, at the very latest, we will know the five Premier League clubs to have qualified via their domestic league position.

Liverpool have already successfully crossed the finishing line.

Arsenal appear certain to follow them.

That then leaves five into three, five Premier League clubs battling for the last three Champions League places.

Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

Three to be celebrating and two left devastated.

As you can see from the current Premier League table as at Wednesday 30 April 2025, title winners and all relegation places already decided:

Just how thankful must the broadcasters be, that the fight for Champions League places has saved them.

In some seasons in the past, the Premier League top five would have already put serious distance between themselves and the rest by this point, with four full rounds of matches to go.

With this 2024/25 chase for the final three Champions League places though, the broadcasters are filling their boots…

Thursday 1 May

Forest v Brentford (7.30pm) Sky Sports

Friday 2 May

Man City v Wolves (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 3 May

Villa v Fulham (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 4 May

Brighton v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Chelsea v Liverpool (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Monday 5 May

Palace v Forest (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 10 May

Southampton v Man City (3pm)

Bournemouth v Villa (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 11 May

Newcastle v Chelsea (12pm) TNT Sports

Forest v Leicester (2.15pm) Sky Sports

Friday 16 May

Chelsea v Man U (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 18 May

Villa v Spurs TBC Sky Sports (Spurs have asked about moving this match due to proximity to Europa League final on 21 May but it will be televised live by Sky Sports regardless of which date)

West Ham v Forest (2.15pm) Sky Sports

Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Man City v Bournemouth TBC Sky Sports (Man City in FA Cup final now on Saturday 17 May but whenever this PL match is played, it will be screened live by Sky Sports)

As you can see, every single match above that involves the five Champions League chasing clubs, is to be shown live on either Sky Sports or TNT Sports, with the exception of Southampton v Man City on Saturday 10 May.

That leaves the final day of the season, the TV selections for the final day are not usually made until after the 37th round of matches.

Imagine if it is still all to play for when we get to Sunday 25 May, if Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are all potentially capable of finishing top five.

It would be a dream scenario for the broadcasters. They normally show three matches live, shared between Sky Sports and TNT Sports on the final day, but I am pretty sure they have shown four at the same time on the last day of the season, at least once or twice previously.

Sunday 25 May

Fulham v Man City (4pm)

Man U v Villa (4pm)

Newcastle v Everton (4pm)

Forest v Chelsea (4pm)

If that dream scenario comes to pass for TNT Sports and Sky Sports, it will be compelling stuff for neutrals, as for those of us who support one of the five clubs chasing Champions League…maybe for Newcastle United fans it will be something close to how we all felt as the clock ticked down at Wembley on Sunday 16 March 2025.