Liverpool will almost certainly be in next season’s UEFA Champions League mix (with only mathematics preventing that from being a definite) and look highly likely to be joined by Arsenal.
However, the race to secure the final two guaranteed places (and potentially any additional spots, should England maintain its strong UEFA club coefficient ranking) in the competition is still very much open.
At the time of writing, there are as many as eight sides who could still realistically finish inside the Premier League’s top four, and it has been impossible to predict which way things will go.
With that in mind, this data analysis will seek to provide some answers about which teams might have a chance to break into the Champions League and which could fall short.
The analysis will examine each team currently ranked between third and 10th in the Premier League standings and break down their key data from the season.
It will also highlight one member of their squad who could prove intrinsic to their hopes and ambitions over the coming months.
Nottingham Forest
The team currently best-placed to join the two frontrunners is Nottingham Forest, who have enjoyed a stellar campaign and who will arguably be a strong contender for Team of the Season.
Under Nuno Espírito Santo, their transformation from relegation battlers to European candidates has been, at times, nothing short of wondrous.
They would be worthy Champions League contenders if they maintained their current placing.
Nottingham Forest Attacking Metrics 2024/2025
Looking at their attacking statistics, it is easy to see why Forest has proven such tough opposition.
As this graphic shows, they have outperformed the league average for goals and assists (registering 1.52 and 0.87 per game, respectively) and are a side that has sometimes proven uncontainable when they have got onto the front foot.
That feat is particularly notable because it has come without them rising above the average mark for shots, key passes, or touches in the opposing penalty area.
In short, whilst they have not accessed promising positions in advanced spaces as often as others have, Espírito Santo’s players have been clinical when opportunities have come their way.
Nottingham Forest Defending Metrics 2024/2025
However, while their attacking play has been mightily impressive, Nottingham Forest has really excelled on the defensive side.
It is where Espírito Santo has really spent time developing his team’s play. He stresses time and time again that keeping a clean sheet is his priority, and the team always looks to build from there.
That mentality is apparent when breaking down their defensive statistics in this graphic, and once again, it comes across as how efficient they are.
As can be seen, they don’t tend to engage in as many defensive or aerial battles as other teams do, but they make sure they win the ones they do have.
At the same time, they sit above the league average for interceptions and overall defensive actions made, which highlights their determination to get back into position and be tough to break down, as well as their ability to take the game to their opponents when they can. It is certainly proving to be a worthwhile strategy for them.
Nikola Milenković Statistics 2024/2025
One player who has been paramount to that solidity, and who will continue to be as the campaign nears its endpoint, is Nikola Milenković.
The Serbia international joined from Fiorentina last season and has been nothing short of a revelation in the Premier League. He formed a strong partnership with Murillo, which has given Nottingham Forest a platform on which they can build so much of their game.
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