Ups, Downs and the Race for Europe: The State of Play Across the Leagues

The race for Europe heats up as Liverpool eye the title and clubs jostle for European spots

As we head into the final stretch of the 2024–25 campaign, the picture at both ends of the Premier League – and indeed across the football pyramid – is beginning to sharpen. With the race for Europe entering its most decisive phase and clubs bracing for the drama of promotion and relegation, every point now carries more weight than ever.

At the very top, Liverpool have not only confirmed their place in next season’s revamped Champions League league phase, but also put themselves within touching distance of the title. Just six more points from their remaining six fixtures would see Arne Slot’s side crowned champions, though they could secure the crown as early as Sunday if Ipswich – who are battling at the other end – manage to shock Arsenal, and Liverpool follow up with a win over Leicester.

Arsenal’s dramatic win over Real Madrid earlier this month guaranteed England one of UEFA’s top two coefficients, ensuring that the Premier League will send five clubs to the Champions League next season regardless of what happens in the final weeks. It means the top five places carry added significance – and with spots also up for grabs via the Champions League and Europa League winners’ routes, there’s still plenty to play for.

European places, relegation battles and cup implications in the Premier League

Newcastle players celebrate with the EFL Cup

The sixth-placed side will head into the Europa League group stage alongside the FA Cup winners. However, should the FA Cup champions have already qualified for the Champions League – a distinct possibility – that Europa League spot will instead be passed down through the league standings.

Newcastle, having claimed the Carabao Cup, are guaranteed at least a Conference League play-off berth, unless they qualify for Europe via their league finish – in which case the play-off slot would also fall down the table.

And what if Chelsea win the Conference League but don’t reach the Champions League through domestic results? They’ll still book themselves a spot in the Europa League proper – one of many tangled scenarios still unfolding.

At the other end of the table, Southampton have already been relegated – and not just relegated, but dumped into the history books. Their 3-1 defeat to Spurs earlier this month sealed their fate earlier than any other side in Premier League history. Leicester and Wolves could soon follow them, with survival now dependent not just on their results, but on those around them.

Women’s Super League: Chelsea lead, Arsenal and United not far behind

Birmingham City celebrate promotion after winning at Peterborough Europe

Over in the Women’s Super League, Chelsea have once again shown their mettle. The Blues are already assured of a Champions League place, and will be eyeing the title with a sense of familiar expectation. The league’s runners-up will enter Europe in the second qualifying round, with third place earning a spot in the first round.

Arsenal and Manchester United are closing in on securing those European berths – although there’s no margin for error with the final few fixtures looming. At the other end, the bottom-placed side will drop down to the Women’s Championship, with relegation still very much on the cards for several clubs.

Championship: Three into two won’t go in the race for promotion

Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin and Celtic’s Luke McCowan battle for the ball

The fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League is as intense as ever in the Championship, with Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United all battling for the top two spots. Leeds could seal promotion as soon as Monday – provided they win and Sheffield United slip up against Burnley. The Clarets themselves can confirm their return to the top flight if they defeat the Blades.

Whoever misses out will join Sunderland and two other contenders in the dreaded play-offs – a route filled with both agony and ecstasy in equal measure. Meanwhile, the relegation picture remains unresolved, but time is running out for the teams at the foot of the table.

League One: Birmingham bounce back while the scrap for survival continues

Birmingham City have been the standout story in League One, becoming the first club across England’s top five divisions to secure promotion this season. A 2-1 win at Peterborough on 8 April got them over the line, and they clinched the title four days later without even playing, thanks to Wrexham’s draw with Wigan.

Stockport, Wycombe, Wrexham and Charlton have already locked in play-off places, while Stockport are just a point away from joining the automatic promotion party. Down at the bottom, Shrewsbury were confirmed as one of the four clubs dropping into League Two after Burton’s goalless draw with Exeter.

League Two and the National League: Port Vale pushing, Morecambe on the brink

Andy Winter celebrates scoring for Arbroath against Stranraer

In League Two, Port Vale are looking strong for promotion and are already assured of a play-off place. A win on Monday, coupled with a few favourable results, could see them move up automatically. At the other end, Morecambe are teetering on the edge – relegation will be confirmed unless they win and Tranmere drop points. Carlisle’s fate could be sealed on the same day if Tranmere win and they lose.

The National League is poised for a thrilling conclusion. Barnet and York are going toe-to-toe for the title and the sole automatic promotion place. Barnet need just six points from their final three games to secure it. Whoever finishes second will have to navigate the play-offs, joined by Forest Green and four others. Ebbsfleet and AFC Fylde have already been relegated, with two more clubs set to join them.

North of the border: Celtic in control, Hamilton drop

In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic are all but champions – barring a catastrophic collapse. Only a sequence of five defeats combined with Rangers winning out and overturning a 42-goal swing could change the title’s destination.

The top six teams will now play each other once more in the split format. The winners of the Scottish Cup will head into the Europa League play-off round – unless they also finish in the top two, in which case their spot will be reallocated via league position.

The Scottish Championship title fight is between Falkirk and Livingston, with Falkirk needing four more points to secure top spot. Hamilton Academical’s relegation was confirmed following a 15-point deduction for breaking SPFL rules – though an appeal remains possible.

In Scottish League One, Arbroath sealed promotion with a 4-0 win over Stranraer. Dumbarton were relegated last month, while the ninth-placed team faces a play-off.

Finally, in Scottish League Two, Peterhead and East Fife are neck-and-neck in the title race, with one going up automatically and the other entering a play-off. Brora Rangers and East Kilbride will battle it out for a chance to join the league next season – with Bonnyrigg Rose and Forfar nervously eyeing the trapdoor.