The race for the top four is heating up. With just one game left to play, there are five teams fighting for two spots.
First and second place are just about accounted for. Liverpool coasted to the title, with their win over Spurs a few weeks ago securing the Reds the Premier League title.
Their closest contenders, Arsenal, will likely finish second if not for a substantial goal swing and the Gunners receive no points on the final day.
So, that leaves just third and fourth place currently unaccounted for. The most recent extended weekend of football threw up some interesting results, making for a fascinating final round of games on Sunday.
It should be noted that a top-five finish would also secure Champions League football for next season, thanks to the performances of English sides in European competitions this season. This is what most teams are aiming for, as such, but bookies have only priced up the top four race.
Let's walk through the current standings and preview Sunday's fight for those top four spots.
Below, we have collected the top contenders and their respective odds to finish top four in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
💻 Operator | 👔 Team | 📊 Odds | 👉 Visit Bookie |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Man City | 1/9 | Place Bet |
![]() | Newcastle | 1/3 | Place Bet |
![]() | Chelsea | 7/2 | Place Bet |
![]() | Aston Villa | 5/1 | Place Bet |
![]() | Nottingham Forest | 16/1 | Place Bet |
Brass Tacks on the Top 4 Candidates
City had the chance to salvage a terrible season in their FA Cup final last week. This chance wasn't taken. They lost out to Crystal Palace on a historic day for the Eagles. City fans very rarely experience a trophyless season, and a big rebuild is on the horizon with some huge names leaving in the summer.
Now, the Etihad side must make the top four/top five to avoid total embarrassment. They face Fulham on Sunday, where they'll likely need just a point to clinch their top-four spot. More unlikely things have happened, and it's still a game Pep will feel his team has to win. They're 1/9 to make the top four.
Newcastle United are on 66 points, albeit with a slightly easier final fixture than other teams around them. A mixed bag of recent results leaves the Mags in a slightly more precarious position than they might have liked, but they are still in pole position, and their fate is still in their own hands.
Eddie Howe's side host Everton on Sunday - a fiery fixture in recent years, only added to by the transfer of Anthony Gordon. The Toffees have nothing to play for, other than the chance to spoil the party. Newcastle are 1/3 to make the top four.
Chelsea are on 66 points and have enjoyed a decent run of form in the build-up to the final gameweek. Other than a big loss to Newcastle a little over a week ago, the Blues' wins have left them in a strong position to make the top four.
As mentioned, their final fixture is against Nottingham Forest. City Ground will be bouncing, and both teams really need a win even to have a chance of making the top four spots. Chelsea are 7/2 to make the top four.
Aston Villa have been in red-hot form as of late, with good results coming at the right time. They've won all but one of their last nine Premier League games, and have given themselves a fighting chance of making the top four.
They face Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford. Ordinarily a tough game, even given their plight in recent years, their big game against Spurs in the Europa League removed almost any importance from league fixtures. Villa are 5/1 to make the top four.
Currently in seventh place and on 65 points, is Nottingham Forest. The Trees were flying until they encountered a tricky run of fixtures in April. Since beating Manchester United on the first of the month 1-0, they have won just 8 points from a possible 24.
They responded well this week to their recent draw against relegated rivals Leicester, beating West Ham 2-1. The recent string of poor results leaves Nuno's side desperate for a win on the final day, where they face fellow chasers, Chelsea. Forest are 16/1 to make the top four.
Joe is a football journalist who focuses on English football, having a soft spot for Everton, and he has worked for outlets such as Vavel in the past. At BettingLounge, he provides football insights and analyses odds changes, keeping his ear to the ground.