Heading into the final quarter of the Premier League season, the discussion typically narrows towards the top and the bottom.
That is understandable given that the title race and top-flight survival are the league’s most consequential tussles.
However, providing Liverpool, who are 11 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table, do not suffer an unlikely collapse, their hands are practically on their record-equalling 20th top-flight trophy.
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At the opposite end, it would take something even more shocking for West Ham United and Manchester United to be dragged into the four-team battle for survival. Even 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers are taking the drama out of that situation, with their 1-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday creating a five-point gap from the relegation zone.
However, there are still plenty of interesting storylines to keep an eye on, not least because there is an argument this season has been the league’s most competitive since its inception.
Here, The Athletic explains why there is plenty of life in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign yet.
A wide-open race for Champions League qualification
Between Enzo Fernandez opening the scoring for Chelsea in the ninth minute and Marco Asensio’s second-half equaliser, Aston Villa were in the bottom half of the Premier League table and slipping further away from the Champions League spots following a run of five league games without a win.
However, after Asensio netted his second and the decisive goal in the 2-1 comeback win, Villa had jumped up to eighth — just two points behind Bournemouth, who were fifth at the time. Like any side in the top half of the Premier League table, where just five points separate fourth from 10th, they will fancy their chances at qualification should their patchy form settle into something more consistent.
At the top of the table, Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal look certain to qualify for next season’s Champions League. But what about the battle below them?
Elimination before the last 16 of this season’s competition must be considered a failure for Manchester City but it may boost their prospects in the league.
Between their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Everton on Boxing Day and defeat against champions-elect Liverpool on Sunday, City played seven league matches, winning five, drawing one and losing one, suggesting they might be able to salvage a hugely disappointing season by qualifying for Europe’s top club competition.
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Below City, however, it’s anyone’s guess who will finish fifth — which is currently enough for Champions League qualification due to the Premier League leading UEFA’s coefficient rankings. It’s Newcastle United’s position to lose after their high-octane 4-3 win against Nottingham Forest. Forest are third, but their recent slip-ups mean they are far from secure in that position.
Newcastle also have a game in hand on Villa, who are juggling the league and Champions League for at least another round with a last-16 tie against Club Brugge on the horizon. Chelsea’s form has declined significantly in 2025, but they should not be ruled out. Neither should outside bets Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham, who are inconsistent but capable of beating any side on their day.
Alexander Isak’s goals are driving Newcastle’s push for Champions League qualification (Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester clubs in transition
While the season’s final months will not be as exciting as previous years for fans of Manchester City and Manchester United, there is more than enough on the agenda to keep the clubs in the headlines.
Manchester United, the Premier League’s most dramatic soap opera, are never more than a couple of matches from catastrophe. Ruben Amorim has the support of United’s fanbase and the comeback draw at Everton after a dreadful first-half performance reduced the heat a little — but sitting 15th in the table will not suffice long-term. Not least because of the continued financial implications of being outside the Champions League places for a side with one of the league’s highest wage bills. The team, Amorim and the owners will continue to draw the football world’s attention.
Meanwhile, City’s on-pitch form had stabilised — but the pending verdict on the 115 charges (or more accurately, 129) leaves their future in the balance.
The three-person independent commission’s verdict on the hearing, which took place in September and December last year, is expected to arrive before the end of the season. If the defending Premier League champions are found guilty of the charges — they have denied any wrongdoing throughout — it is not yet clear what their punishment would be, or whether they would receive it immediately.
Can Maresca get Chelsea back on track?
His first few months as Chelsea’s head coach served as a proverbial middle finger to the suggestion — and bookies’ odds — that Enzo Maresca could be the first head coach to lose his job this season.
His side, propelled by Cole Palmer’s brilliance, were among the league’s surprise packages at the top of the table and were discussed as outside bets for the title. But Palmer, Maresca and Chelsea have not fared as well since the turn of the year.
GO DEEPER
At this rate, Chelsea and Maresca will be left relying on Conference League success
The team have just two wins from 10 league games since beating Brentford 2-1 on December 15. In that period, Palmer’s production has declined (three goals, zero assists), and primary striker Nicolas Jackson sustained a muscular injury that will keep him out of action until April. Without a tried-and-tested No 9 or an in-form Palmer, getting Chelsea firing in the final third again will not be a simple task.
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Champions League qualification is still within reach, so the pressure is on to find that solution quickly. Christopher Nkunku has been used in several positions across the forward line but was substituted after a quiet outing from the left wing against Villa on Saturday. Pedro Neto led the line, and his energy and industry in and out of possession will not have gone unnoticed, but 13 goals in 134 Premier League games suggests he is not a player Chelsea can hang their hats on for consistent output.
If Maresca cannot arrest the slide, Chelsea’s managerial history suggests it will not be long until those pre-season discussions gather meaningful momentum.
Enzo Maresca, left, watched his side surrender a lead as they lost to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Saturday (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The Premier League’s middle class
Sure, the very top of the league and the bottom three have created separation from the pack — but the pack is as competitive as it has been since 1993.
Aside from the inaugural Premier League season, when nine points separated fifth from 16th, the 13-point gap between those positions is the lowest in league history. Even Wolves, slightly out of this sample size in 17th, beat Champions League-qualification contenders Bournemouth away from home at the weekend.
However, the 10 spots between Wolves and Bournemouth before the first kick of a Premier League ball at the weekend only represented the second-largest upset of the day after West Ham United, who started the afternoon in 16th, beat second-placed Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as one of the league’s form sides, beating Ipswich Town 4-1 and easing the pressure on Ange Postecoglou.
Crystal Palace in 13th went away to Fulham, who started the day in eighth, and won 2-0. On Sunday, Newcastle and Forest delivered the match of the weekend at St James’ Park as the home side won 4-3 to reduce the gap to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to three points.
There is plenty of drama still to come, on and off the pitch.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
