The Premier League is over halfway over, and there is a fight between a whole host of clubs for the five coveted guaranteed European qualifications for next season. The top four spots are always talked about because of how important it is to get into the Champions League, but the Europa League is a massive competition that clubs strive for as well.
There is a ton of teams in the race for the top five, and so many would be happy to earn Europa League after this year in the Premier League. Clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham, Chelsea, Brentford, Brighton, and Fulham are all teams that are fighting for the fourth and fifth spots, but which clubs will earn a spot at the end of the Premier League season? These are the five picks.
Arsenal
Arsenal is currently on top of the Premier League and looks like the most impressive team in England. The Gunners have a five-point lead over second-place Manchester City and hold the title race in their hands. Manager Mikel Arteta has shown his genius with this young talented squad, getting them to buy into every game and making them the most exciting brand of football to watch in the country.
Arsenal is basically guaranteed to earn a European spot after this season, as they are 19 points ahead of fifth place. Also, Arsenal still has a chance to win the Europa League this season, which would also earn them a Champions League spot next season.
Manchester City
The only true contender to knock Arsenal off of their championship pursuit is Manchester City. City is loaded in every area, and they have the talent to win not only the Premier League but the Champions League as well. Arsenal will hope that City’s main focus is on the Champions League as the club attempts to win it for the first time in their history, but with the amount of talent that they have, they may have no problem winning both.
Manchester United
Manchester United have already held silverware this season, as they just defeated Newcastle United in the EFL Cup. United do not have a realistic chance to win the Premier League, but the team they are building is something special. It looks as though United will earn third and prepare for what could be an incredible summer window.
Tottenham
Tottenham are sitting in fourth place in the Premier League currently, but Newcastle and Liverpool are right on their tails. Tottenham have been a bit too inconsistent, and there have been rumors of manager Antonio Conte being on his way out, but with quality still in the team, they will still qualify for Europe.
Liverpool
Although Liverpool is in sixth place and has had the worst season under manager Jurgen Klopp since his first year at the club, Liverpool still has a chance at Europe. The Reds are still currently in the Champions League, but after being battered by Real Madrid 5-2 in the first leg, they will likely be out of the tournament soon. Fourth and fifth place will be all Liverpool will have to play for, and a desire to earn something will be enough for the mighty reds.
