LONDON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- With the title and relegation long decided, the final day of the Premier League season is focused on the battle for next season's European competition spots. Five teams are competing for three Champions League places, while two others aim to secure a potential spot in the Conference League.

Manchester City's 3-1 midweek win at home to Bournemouth lifted Pep Guardiola's side to third place, giving them a two-point cushion over Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa, and a three-point lead over Nottingham Forest.

A draw away to Fulham will be enough for City to end a difficult season on a high note. Mateo Kovacic is suspended after Tuesday's red card, but Rodri is expected to play at least some minutes as he continues his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament.

Newcastle United must beat Everton at home to secure a top-five finish. With Alexander Isak in fine form, Eddie Howe's side is favored. However, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford--a former Sunderland player and a fan of Newcastle's local rivals--will no doubt be eager to deny them.

The most pivotal match may be fifth-place Chelsea's visit to seventh-place Nottingham Forest. A win for Chelsea would secure a much-needed Champions League spot, but Forest also remains in contention and will put up strong resistance. The City Ground is expected to be a pressure-filled environment, and Chelsea's players will need composure to return to Europe's top tier.

Aston Villa is level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea, but its inferior goal difference means Unai Emery's side needs at least one of those teams to drop points. Villa must also win away to Manchester United and hope other results go its way.

Manchester United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham on Wednesday and will miss out on European football altogether, with a challenging summer ahead.

Brighton and Brentford retain an outside shot at the Conference League. Both clubs need Chelsea to lose and finish seventh, and then beat Real Betis in the Conference League final to qualify for the Europa League.

Brighton visits newly crowned Europa League winners Tottenham, while Brentford plays away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ipswich Town bids farewell to the Premier League at home against a disappointing West Ham. Leicester City travels to Bournemouth, and Southampton ends its brief return to the top flight at home against Arsenal, which is already assured of a Champions League return but needs a point to secure second place.

Anfield will be in celebration mode as league champion Liverpool hosts FA Cup winner Crystal Palace. Both clubs have reason to celebrate, and fittingly, they will open the 2025-26 season in the Community Shield on either August 9 or 10. ■