Premier League top four run-in: Newcastle and Manchester United one point from Champions League return, Liverpool hope for miracle

The race for a place in the Premier League’s top four is well and truly on as we head into the final stages of the season.

We are nearing the final week of a thrilling 2022/23 Premier League campaign, and three teams are battling for two spots in the Champions League.

Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool are the sides in question, with Tottenham out of it and Brighton needing a miracle.

Here talkSPORT.com has a look at the top-four battle as we race towards the end of the season.

Newcastle – 3rd

Newcastle have been extremely difficult to beat all season and have the Premier League’s second-best defensive record, having only conceded 32 goals from their 36 games.

The Magpies have bought well and Eddie Howe has transformed Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff and many others, and they have guaranteed a top-six finish this year, with Spurs unable to catch them.

In the race for the Champions League, the Toon are three points clear of Liverpool with two matches to play.

And that means that they are now only one point away from securing a place in the top four.

The Magpies also boast a much superior goal difference over Man United, which will be instrumental in securing a third-place finish.

Howe’s side face Leicester on Monday, live on talkSPORT, with a draw guaranteeing a spot in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Predicted finish – 3rd

Newcastle's remaining fixtures

Leicester – H – May 20

Chelsea – A – May 28

Manchester United – 4th

After a difficult start to life under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United have climbed the table and are in a great position to get back into the Champions League.

They are now three points clear of Liverpool, with a game in hand.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Brighton and West Ham let Liverpool back into the race, and things were nervy in the Red Devils camp.

But wins over Wolves and Bournemouth have put United on the cusp of a return to elite European football.

After Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, the Red Devils need just one point from their final two games.

United face Chelsea and Fulham at Old Trafford in the final week of the season, so they should do enough to earn Champions League football.

Predicted finish – 4th

Manchester United remaining fixtures

Chelsea – H – May 25

Fulham – H – May 28

Liverpool – 5th

It has been a season to forget for Liverpool in many ways, as they have fallen well short of last year.

The Reds have been inconsistent throughout; however, they do have a slim chance at a top-four spot.

Liverpool are out of all cup competitions, which has allowed them to just focus on the league and it led to seven straight wins.

However, a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa has now ensured it’s unlikely that the Reds play in the Champions League next year.

They need one of Newcastle or Man United to lose both of their remaining matches, while they would need to beat Southampton.

If United were to lose both matches, Liverpool would get in due to their superior goal difference, but they would need a seven-goal swing pass Newcastle.

Predicted finish – 5th

Liverpool's remaining fixtures

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