Premier League run-in explained: What’s at stake for every team with four games left

There are four games to go, for most teams, in the 2025-26 Premier League season, and the final weeks promise plenty of tension and very short nails.

Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in an epic battle for the title, while the race for Champions League qualification is far from settled. It is still unclear whether the top five or six teams will qualify for next season’s competition.

As it stands, England could have up to six Champions League spots. A sixth place would only qualify if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League.

If that scenario plays out, as many as eight teams could realistically believe they have a shot at that final spot.

At the other end of the table, Tottenham could suffer what would almost certainly be the most shocking relegation since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

With four games remaining, five for Manchester City and Crystal Palace, here is what every team still has left to play for.

Title race goes down to the wire

1st: Arsenal, 73 points

Assuming Manchester City win their game in hand against Crystal Palace, Arsenal must better City’s record over the final four games to win their first title since 2004.

2nd: Manchester City, 70 points (33 games)

If City win their game in hand against Palace, they must better Arsenal’s record over the final four games to win their fifth title in six seasons.

Champions League race could go beyond fifth

3rd: Manchester United, 61 points

United will return to the Champions League in 2026-27, although they need a few more points to be mathematically certain.

4th: Liverpool, 58 points

With the top five Premier League teams qualifying for the Champions League next season, only a dramatic collapse would stop Liverpool from making it.

5th: Aston Villa, 58 points

Same as Liverpool. If Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, the team that finishes sixth will also qualify for the Champions League.

6th: Brighton, 50 points

Brighton are one of several teams hoping Villa do exactly that. It seems unlikely they will catch Liverpool or Villa, but sixth could still secure Champions League qualification for the first time.

If Villa do not finish fifth and win the Europa League, sixth place will enter next season’s Europa League league phase.

Midtable scramble for Europe

7th: Bournemouth, 49 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

8th: Chelsea, 48 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton and Bournemouth to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

9th: Brentford, 48 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton, Bournemouth and Chelsea to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

10th: Fulham, 48 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Brentford to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

11th: Everton, 47 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Brentford and Fulham to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

12th: Sunderland, 46 points

Hoping to leapfrog Brighton, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Brentford, Fulham and Everton to secure a potential Champions League spot, or a place in the Europa League league phase. Finishing seventh would mean Conference League qualifiers.

13th: Crystal Palace, 43 points (33 games)

If Palace win their game in hand against Manchester City, they will join the group of teams with a chance of finishing sixth. If not, they will likely have too much ground to make up, with too many teams ahead of them.

14th: Newcastle, 42 points

Newcastle can still mathematically finish sixth or seventh, although they appear too far behind too many teams. The Magpies are not guaranteed safety either, but should have enough of a cushion.

Relegation battle could deliver huge shock

15th: Leeds, 40 points

One more win, and certainly two, should be enough to ensure survival.

16th: Nottingham Forest, 39 points

Forest are in a similar position to Leeds, with a few more points needed to guarantee safety. They can also qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League.

17th: West Ham, 36 points

If West Ham match Tottenham’s record, or collect no more than one point fewer over the final four games, they will be safe.

18th: Tottenham, 34 points

Spurs must take at least two more points than West Ham in their final four games. Goal difference, the first tiebreaker, is currently in their favor, -10 to -16.

19th: Burnley, 20 points

Relegated.

20th: Wolves, 17 points

Relegated.

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