Sports

Premier League: Nottingham Forest Chase Champions League Dream As Liverpool Party

Published

6 months ago

May 24, 2025

Editor

Nottingham Forest’s historic Champions League dream is still alive as they brace for a dramatic showdown against Chelsea, while Liverpool will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy.

As the English top-flight season comes to an end on Sunday, Forest and Chelsea are among five clubs chasing the three remaining top five spots, along with Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s Villa travel to face troubled Manchester United, whose misery was compounded by their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham in midweek.

AFP Sport picks out the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action.

Forest dare to dream
Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a remarkable renaissance but they will still end the season with regrets if they fail to reach the Champions League.

The two-time European champions last played in the continent’s top club competition in 1980/81.

They have been resident in the top five for most of the season but have lost momentum in recent weeks and must now beat rivals Chelsea and hope Villa or Newcastle drop points.

Even though they may fail to qualify for the Champions League, Forest at least have the comfort of knowing they have secured European football next season.

They finished just outside the relegation spots last season but have roared back under Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming the first team in Premier League history to double their points tally from one season to the next.

Forest manager Nuno said his team were relishing the challenge against Chelsea despite the intense pressure.

“One thing we are enjoying is preparing for a big match, so why not enjoy it? Everyone is enjoying it here,” he said.

Liverpool’s players will at last have the chance to lift the Premier League trophy in front of their own fans after their match against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The champions won their first English league title for 30 years in 2020 but were forced to celebrate behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.

If the reaction at Anfield to their trophy triumph last month — sealed with a 5-1 win against Tottenham — is anything to go by, Sunday’s party will be one to remember.

One unknown is how the supporters will bid farewell to home-grown defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who appears destined for a move to Real Madrid after announcing his departure earlier this month.

The England international was booed during last week’s 2-2 home draw against Arsenal and did not play in the subsequent 3-2 defeat at Brighton.

Reds boss Arne Slot says he has not yet made up his mind what role Alexander-Arnold will have but said he “deserved” to be part of the celebrations.

“This should be a day that everybody is going to enjoy,” said Slot. “It’s been 35 years, everybody is waiting for this moment and I think we’ve set the example against Tottenham.”

Manchester United gloom

It is difficult to predict what the mood will be like at Old Trafford on Sunday, when Manchester United host top five contenders Aston Villa.

United, who lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday, are destined for their lowest league finish since they were relegated in 1974.

Ruben Amorim’s men have been desperately poor this season, winning just six league games since the Portuguese took over from the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

Villa have won just twice at Old Trafford in the Premier League era but will go there with a spring in their step, knowing a win would give them a chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League, depending on results elsewhere.

They have little to fear against a United team who are disjointed, toothless and lacking in motivation, with nothing to play for.

Fixtures (all 1500 GMT)

Sunday

Bournemouth v Leicester, Fulham v Manchester City, Ipswich v West Ham, Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Manchester United v Aston Villa, Newcastle v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Chelsea, Southampton v Arsenal, Tottenham v Brighton, Wolves v Brentford
(Vanguard)

Related Topics:#Liverpool Champions League Nottingham Premier league

Up Next

Djokovic Becomes Third Man To Win 100 ATP Titles

Don't Miss

Salah Voted Premier League Player Of The Season

Comments

Sports

Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream Ends In Penalty Shoot-out Loss To DR Congo

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup after they lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.

Sports

NPFL26: Bendel Insurance Beat Kano Pillars 3-2

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistent and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.
‎
‎The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable 3-2 comeback
‎victory over the sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
‎ Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago.
‎.
‎Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

READ ALSO:Bendel Insurance Head Coach Suspended
‎
‎Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead in the halftime of the match day 13 encounter under the rain.
‎
‎Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
‎
‎As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minutes.

‎It was Insurance second victory and first for coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season.

The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
‎
‎Speaking during a post match media conference, coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Vendel Insurance Manager after five matches -one loss, one win and three draws so far.
‎
‎He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.

‎”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players,fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
‎I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.
‎

Sports

Arsenal’s Gabriel Injured In Senegal Friendly

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Arsenal’s defensive rock, Gabriel Magalhães, limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

This injury is going to be a major headache for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who still has many players out injured.

The 27-year-old Brazilian center-back was forced to depart in the 64th minute, clutching his right thigh and groin area following a seemingly innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Flamengo’s Wesley.

This comes at the worst possible time for the Premier League leaders, who face Tottenham in the North London Derby on November 23, barely a week away, followed by Champions League and league tests against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti later confirmed it was a muscular issue but offered no timeline, stating: “We’ll have to wait and see on the extent—it’s too early to say.”