Surprise Packages in the Premier League: Who Will Secure a Top-Five Finish?

Discover the unexpected teams vying for Champions League spots in the Premier League, including Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Fulham, and Bournemouth.

The Premier League's top-four battle is heating up, with several unexpected contenders emerging in the fight for Champions League spots. As things stand, Liverpool is running away with the title, boasting a comfortable 12-point lead. At the other end of the table, Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton are struggling to avoid relegation.

While the usual suspects like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool are expected to dominate the top four, some surprise teams are making a strong push for Champions League football. 

Unlikely Contenders:

Newcastle United: Currently sitting in ninth position, Newcastle is making a late surge for a top-four finish.

Fulham: Despite being in tenth place, Fulham is still in contention for a Champions League spot, thanks to their impressive recent form.

Brighton: Brighton is another team that's quietly making a push for the top four, with some impressive wins in recent weeks.

Aston Villa: Aston Villa rounds out the list of unlikely contenders, with a solid run of form putting them in contention for a Champions League spot.

The impressive performance of English teams in European competitions this season has significantly increased the likelihood that a top-five finish in the Premier League will secure a spot in next season's Champions League. As a result, the competition for a coveted top-five position has become increasingly fierce.

The Premier League's middle tier has capitalized on the underwhelming seasons of Manchester United and Tottenham, making the race for Champions League qualification more open than ever. Chelsea and Manchester City currently occupy fourth and fifth place, respectively, with 49 and 48 points, and nine games remaining in the season. However, both teams still face significant challenges in securing a top-five finish, having struggled to maintain consistent form throughout the campaign.

Nottingham Forest's Surprise Charge

Nottingham Forest, with their rich history in European competition, are on the cusp of a remarkable resurgence. Having last participated in the European Cup in 1980 as defending champions, Forest's return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence has been nothing short of sensational.

29 Matchweeks down, 9 to go.#TheRunIn starts tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/8446FdxiZc

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2025

After narrowly avoiding relegation in their first two seasons back in the top flight, Nuno Espirito Santo's team has defied expectations to sit third in the table, trailing only Liverpool and Arsenal. Their impressive campaign has also seen them reach the FA Cup semi-finals. With a comfortable seven-point cushion in the pursuit of a top-five finish and a favorable fixture list, Forest are well-positioned to secure a Champions League spot.

Their remaining nine games include only two matchups against top-half teams, Chelsea and Aston Villa. This relatively smooth run-in provides Forest with a golden opportunity to solidify their position and make a historic return to European competition.

Brighton's Surprising Resurgence

Brighton has staged a remarkable comeback in the Premier League, accumulating 13 points from a possible 15 to rekindle their Champions League ambitions. This resurgence has been a defining feature of Fabian Hurzeler's inaugural season at the helm.

A humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last month could have marked a turning point for the worse, particularly given Hurzeler's bold decision to deploy an ultra-attacking lineup. However, Brighton has demonstrated impressive resilience, bouncing back from that setback to win consistently and keep their Champions League dreams alive. Prior to this upswing in form, the Seagulls had managed only two victories in 12 Premier League matches.

Fulham's European Ambitions

Fulham, a club yet to experience the pinnacle of European competition, has reemerged as a contender for a coveted Champions League spot. After a mid-season slump, Marco Silva's team has regained momentum, securing crucial victories over Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Tottenham in their last six league matches.

Fulham's resurgence is all the more impressive, given their dismal run between late November and mid-January, during which they managed only two wins in 10 games. However, their quest for European qualification will face a stern test in the coming weeks. Fulham's next two matches pit them against Arsenal and Liverpool, and their season culminates with a daunting home encounter against Manchester City on the final day.

We are back. pic.twitter.com/YaBnfN9AkY

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2025

Bournemouth's Fading European Hopes

Bournemouth's aspirations for a maiden European adventure have taken a hit, courtesy of a dismal run that has yielded a mere point from their last four league games. Andoni Iraola's team appeared to be running on fumes prior to the international break, and their fatigue was evident in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City, where they squandered a first-half lead.

The Cherries now face a crucial juncture in their season, with the visit of struggling Ipswich on Wednesday presenting an ideal opportunity to revitalize their pursuit of a top-five finish. This could be a pivotal few months for Bournemouth, as the squad may undergo significant changes soon. Iraola himself has been linked with the Tottenham hot seat, while several key players, including Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo, and Dean Huijsen, are reportedly attracting interest from top clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid.