SECOND CHANCE

THE Premier League race is over and relegation is decided - but the battle for Champions League qualification remains wide open with just two rounds to go.

Only champions Liverpool are so far guaranteed one of the five places up for grabs in Europe’s top club competition next season and second-placed Arsenal look almost certain to join them.

But just four points separate third-placed Newcastle from Nottingham Forest in seventh spot.

Arsenal have been Liverpool’s closest challengers for most of the campaign and a few weeks ago appeared to have second spot locked down.

But a win for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Emirates on Sunday would take the Magpies a point above the Gunners, who have won just one of their past six league games.

Newcastle, by contrast, have been jitz since winning the League Cup final against Liverpool in mid-March, losing just once in eight league games since.

Sunday’s 2-0 win against top-five rivals Chelsea was a huge stride towards Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons.

Howe says: “We still have two games to go and lots of twists and turns that could be around the corner. We have to drive forward.”

Newcastle’s last game, next Sunday, is a home match against Everton, while Arsenal travel to bottom club Southampton.

Aston Villa and Chelsea have a chance to steal a march on their top-five rivals, with both in action on Friday, against Europa League finalists Tottenham and Manchester United.

Villa, who have maintained kwaai form in the league despite Champions League and FA Cup exits in recent weeks, could finish the day in fourth place with a win at home to Spurs.