While everyone's attention is understandably focused on the Premier League title race, another intriguing battle is unfolding slightly lower on the table.
Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all but guaranteed a Champions League spot, with Aston Villa and Tottenham currently vying for what should be the fourth and final berth.
That leaves four teams - Newcastle, Manchester United, West Ham and Chelsea - battling out for the remaining two European spots over the final month of the season.
However, due to the expansion of the Champions League, the Premier League could receive an additional spot in European football's elite competition.
That would mean the teams finishing sixth and seventh on the table will go in the Europa League, with the team coming eight taking part in the Europa Conference League next season.
Here, Mail Sport examines the run-in for the remaining European spots.
Newcastle - P32, 50 points
After a difficult winter, spring has breathed a new lease of life into Newcastle's season.
Despite their ongoing injury crisis, the Magpies have won three of their last four Premier League fixtures and are sixth in the table, with a Europa League spot firmly in their grasp.
Eddie Howe's men are in control of their destiny, but face a potentially difficult run-in with four of their remaining six games away from home beginning with a trip to Selhurst Park a week tomorrow.
After hosting bottom-dwellers Sheffield United, Newcastle also travel to Turf Moor with Burnley mired in a relegation battle, but Brentford should be safe by the time the Magpies visit the Gtech Community Stadium on the final day of the season.
A trip to Old Trafford in what could effectively be a Europa League decider against Manchester United comes just four days after Newcastle welcome Brighton, who are still chasing a European spot themselves.
Manchester United - P32, 50 points
Could United's dismal season descend into an even bigger nightmare over the next four weeks? On current form, there is every chance it might.
United could find themselves in the Europa Conference League quagmire next season or even miss out on European football altogether.
The latter scenario may provide INEOS with a clean slate in their first season in charge of football operations at Old Trafford but would almost certainly spell the end for Erik ten Hag.
United have won just once in their last five Premier League fixtures and haven't won away in the Premier League since beating Luton at Kenilworth Road in February.
A chronic lack of form is exacerbated by an injury crisis that defies any logic and has left the Dutchman's cupboard devoid of any option.
There is little solace to be found in the fixtures list either. Home games against Sheffield United and Burnley this month should in theory deliver maximum returns, but a trip to Selhurst Park on the early May Bank Holiday could prove trickier.
United could well have a say in the title race when Arsenal arrive at Old Trafford on May 12, while fixtures against fellow European hopefuls Newcastle and Brighton in the following seven days look far from easy.
Ten Hag's men, of course, could secure a Europa League spot by winning the FA Cup. Provided they beat Coventry on they Saturday, they will have to get past Chelsea or Manchester City to lift the trophy.
On current form, however, neither seems likely.
West Ham - P33, 48 points
West Ham would currently be the beneficiary of the Premier League securing an extra European spot. Whether they will be in a position to reap said benefits remains open to debate.
The Hammers have gone off the boil at the wrong time and a run of just one win in their last six Premier League outings has left them just one point ahead of Chelsea, having played two games more.
West Ham travel to Stamford Bridge on May 5, part of an incredibly difficult run-in that also sees them facing Liverpool at home at week earlier and travel to the Etihad to take on City on the final day of the season.
A trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday could prove tricky, coming just three days after the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Luton, meanwhile, will be desperate for points when they travel to the London Stadium on the penultimate weekend of the campaign.
Chelsea - P31, 47 points
Whisper it, but are Chelsea finally clicking? Inspired by the superb Cole Palmer, the Blues are unbeaten in the league since February 4 and have closed the gap on the European spots by beating Newcastle and Manchester United over the past month.
Draws against Burnley and Sheffield United were timely reminders that Mauricio Pochettino's team remain wildly unpredictable, but they are in better form than United and West Ham - the two teams directly above them in the table.
Crucially, Chelsea have two games in hand over the Hammers and one over United, who they trail by one and three points respectively.
The bad news for Chelsea is that they face an almighty difficult run-in, in which they face three of the top five teams in eight days.
The Blues take on Arsenal at the Emirates next Tuesday, before travelling to Villa Park four days later.
Home derbies against Spurs and West Ham follow, before a visit to the City Ground to face a Nottingham Forest side needing points to avoid the drop.
That is followed by another trip to Brighton, before Bournemouth are due a Stamford Bridge on the final day of the campaign.
Like United, Chelsea could also secure a European spot by winning the FA Cup.
Considering their issues this season, finishing with a trophy and a European berth would be a step in the right direction for Pochettino.
Mail Sport's verdict
Newcastle should make the most of a relatively easy run-in to secure a European spot for the second consecutive season, despite their injury problems.
Man United should scrape into Europe provided they beat Burnley, Sheffield United and the Magpies at home, but are in danger of equalling their worst-ever finish in the Premier League by coming seventh.
Impressive as their recent run of form has been, Chelsea face a daunting fixture list and will have to settle for a Conference League spot if the Premier League receives an additional Champions League place.
West Ham, meanwhile, look destined to miss out to Europe altogether due to a combination of difficult fixtures and a lack of form.
NeymarJr10Goat
0
Chelsea been terrible all season, slip up in easy games. Chelsea won't win there next few games, they bet Everton relax. Struggled the game before and got a draw.
Chelsea first half season was bad but second half season they are improving
Hareshdevil
0
BUT BUT..... THEY GOT THE " WE DREW WITH LIVERPOOL" TITLE
the league is not over my friend but u guys are done. yall are potentially facing the worst finish in the league in ur history get ready for that pal
gm11
0
Chelsea have one game in hand and if they win that match they will be above man utd because their goal difference is more than man utd. Man utd goal difference in negative haha. nevertheless Chelsea will finish the season ahead of man utd . Keep supporting your finished club
Chelsea been terrible all season, slip up in easy games. Chelsea won't win there next few games, they bet Everton relax. Struggled the game before and got a draw.
gm11
0
why always writing ManU leave our beloved alone pliz
Cause we are the biggest club in the world, no matter where you go, even if your in a jungle you'll find someone with a united kit on.
NeymarJr10Goat
0
Chelsea are terrible sorry. They won't finish ahead of united try again.
Chelsea have one game in hand and if they win that match they will be above man utd because their goal difference is more than man utd. Man utd goal difference in negative haha. nevertheless Chelsea will finish the season ahead of man utd . Keep supporting your finished club
gm11
0
mark my words Chelsea is going to finish higher than man uππππ
Bet you they won't Chelsea are terrible. Beating Everton relax.
gm11
0
ten hag is worse than rangnick
Then why did ten hag win silverware first try and do better in the league than Ralf?
gm11
0
BUT BUT..... THEY GOT THE " WE DREW WITH LIVERPOOL" TITLE
Abit like Liverpool and the 7-0 title remember when the season was so bad you could only talk about 7-0. And now yis bottle the league as everyone predicted womp Womp karma works wonders.
gm11
0
Chelsea is better than man utd and they will finish the season ahead of man utd.
Chelsea are terrible sorry. They won't finish ahead of united try again.
NeymarJr10Goat
0
Chelsea is worse than United but media is always against UNITED
Chelsea is better than man utd and they will finish the season ahead of man utd.
Wauabdeimu
0
Tan hag is still sleeping wellπ€π
Colito
0
Chelsea is worse than United but media is always against UNITED
Hareshdevil
0
BUT BUT..... THEY GOT THE " WE DREW WITH LIVERPOOL" TITLE
1893askena
2
ten hag is worse than rangnick
Roodemrstu
1
they have finished at the bottom when Sir Alex started coaching Man Utd why is like ETH is the worst manager to be 7th
ifadac
0
nonsense
Real nonsense post; they can't sell their news without mentioning Manchester United π³
ifadac
0
mark my words Chelsea is going to finish higher than man uππππ
So ManU is the yardstick to measure Chelsea success ...... why not focus on others ....π βοΈ
leciopsuy
0
please don't curse Manchester United as such. if y'all think ManUtd is at worst, y'all are at wrong thoughts. this is not a 'fight for survival'.... Manchester United is on the right track and will be in the top six as well. Believe β€οΈ
I like the goal shift for Man UTD from title contenders at the beginning of the season, midway top four, and now end of season top six I'm a Man UTD fan but the way ETH is shifting focus and energy is dangerous and maybe by May United would be in top ten because he is Ten Hag
Miacelmty
2
we ,man u have always finished on the top five nor matter how worse we maybe.we will shock you.already the arsenal are in trouble with all the remaining games.
Miacelmty
1
man are going to get the F A cup we have all what it takes to beat the likes of man city and the stagaring chelsea.we are unstoppable, are we are going to unite the whole world just wait and see.
tumeiprsu
0
please don't curse Manchester United as such. if y'all think ManUtd is at worst, y'all are at wrong thoughts. this is not a 'fight for survival'.... Manchester United is on the right track and will be in the top six as well. Believe β€οΈ
you were sixth and u have dropped to seventh so how are you on the right track
maubdkmsu
1
mark my words Chelsea is going to finish higher than man uππππ
LovinglyRais
3
please don't curse Manchester United as such. if y'all think ManUtd is at worst, y'all are at wrong thoughts. this is not a 'fight for survival'.... Manchester United is on the right track and will be in the top six as well. Believe β€οΈ
tebciprstu
0
why always writing ManU leave our beloved alone pliz
E don dey turn former beloved
tebciprstu
1
I wonβt even dispute it at all
handkmnrt
2
why always writing ManU leave our beloved alone pliz
Fadbckprsu
4
nonsense
xion33
1
Worst injury record as well, get rid of the medical staff as well as most of these prat players