Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola says his aspect should “battle till the top” within the race to safe a Champions League spot after slipping up on Saturday.
Metropolis may have taken an enormous step in direction of sealing a top-five spot, however drew 0-0 at all-time low Southampton.
They’re now solely two factors above Newcastle and Chelsea – who meet on Sunday – plus Aston Villa, who beat Bournemouth on Saturday night.
Seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who play relegated Leicester on Sunday, are 4 factors behind Metropolis.
After the Saints draw, Guardiola mentioned his aspect had three cup finals left – together with subsequent weekend’s precise FA Cup closing towards Crystal Palace.
“I did not count on in a different way from a month in the past, that it is a battle till the top,” he mentioned.
Metropolis may discover themselves exterior the Champions League locations earlier than they play within the league once more (towards Bournemouth on Tuesday, 20 Could) – as a result of most of their rivals may have performed a couple of times earlier than then.
Solely champions Liverpool have sealed a Champions League place thus far however second-placed Arsenal, who go to Anfield on Sunday, will hope to quickly be part of them.
There shall be 9 Premier league groups competing in Europe subsequent season – up from the standard seven – however issues may change within the closing weeks of the marketing campaign.
Crystal Palace, who’re twelfth, would qualify for the Europa League in the event that they win the FA Cup closing.
Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, and to a lesser extent Fulham, are all vying for eighth spot which is likely to be sufficient.
The Bees are in eighth, above Albion on aim distinction, two factors forward of the Cherries and 4 away from the Cottagers.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, after a 1-0 win at Ipswich, informed BBC Sport: “We’ve got bought the momentum which is necessary.
“We’re near ending eighth which might be the most effective place ever within the league. We’re laser targeted on what we are able to do. We’ve got given little or no away however nonetheless created rather a lot.
“We simply have to push and revel in it, the subsequent two video games, after which reset our goal.”
Manchester United and Tottenham meet within the Europa League closing with the winners qualifying for the Champions League.
