6 journalists asked who will finish Premier League top 5 and qualify for Champions League | OneFootball

Who will end the 2024/25 season in the Premier League top five?

Which quintet will qualify for the Champions League?

Now we are heading into the final month of the season The i Paper have asked five journalists to make their predictions.

The five clubs that will be playing Champions League football next season due to where they finish in the Premier League this campaign.

With of course two to miss out.

The i Paper report – 24 April 2025:

‘With Liverpool on the brink of being crowned champions, The i Paper’s team of football writers predict who will join them in the Champions League next season.

The i Paper asked our football writers to predict who will finish where in the top five, with explanations for their selections.

Kevin Garside, chief sports correspondent

Newcastle face losable trips to Brighton and Arsenal, but, the Villa beating apart, have been impressive.

Predicted top five:

Liverpool – 87 Arsenal – 76 Man City – 71 Nottingham Forest – 69 Newcastle – 68

Sam Cunningham, chief football correspondent

…while Newcastle were surprisingly thrashed by Villa at the weekend, after six straight wins they should have enough in the sails to carry them into fourth.

Liverpool – 90 Arsenal – 76 Man City – 73 Newcastle – 72 Aston Villa – 69

George Simms, sports news reporter

Even having been thumped by Aston Villa, Newcastle still have the form, players and spirit to come out on top, ahead of a Nottingham Forest side who can limp over the line thanks to some very generous fixtures. Their recent slump can be explained in part by tough games.

Liverpool – 88 Arsenal – 76 Newcastle – 74 Nottingham Forest – 73 Man City – 71

Oliver Young-Myles, football reporter

Only Man City (with 34 goals) have outscored Newcastle (30 goals) in the Premier League in 2025 and that firepower should see them clinch fourth. Harvey Barnes is electric, Jacob Murphy is inspired and Alexander Isak is contributing goals and assists despite not being in peak form.

I expect the Magpies to beat all of Ipswich, Chelsea and Everton at St James’ Park and take at least two points from their two away games at Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal.

Liverpool – 90 Arsenal – 75 Man City – 71 Newcastle – 70 Nottingham Forest – 69

Michael Hinks, freelance sports writer

…Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea scrapping it out for the remaining two places, and though the points gap below suggests it won’t even go to the final day, that is only because I have Chelsea – who I’m struggling to believe are even in with a shout still – losing at both Newcastle and Forest.

Liverpool – 90 Arsenal – 76 Man City – 73 Nottingham Forest – 71 Newcastle – 69

Katherine Lucas, assistant sports editor

Had Newcastle not been beaten 4-1 at Aston Villa, their place…would be in little doubt. Before that and since winning the Carabao Cup, they have scored 15 goals in five games. Their toughest game is at the Emirates but they have a recent history of causing Arsenal problems, winning three of their last four encounters.

Liverpool – 90 Arsenal – 76 Man City – 73 Nottingham Forest – 71 Newcastle – 70

My conclusion?

Great to see that all six journalists believe that Newcastle United will qualify for the Champions League.

However, from their predictions, if they come true, it could be a close run thing, with three journalists forecasting fifth place for United, two of them saying fourth for NUFC