The 51-year-old Portuguese will finish this season with a resume that now includes bringing two Premier League clubs into Europe for the first time in decades.

Just two matchdays remain in the Premier League and while the cluster of teams fighting for a top-five berth — and with it a spot in next season’s Champions League — has reduced to five for the final three spots,

Nottingham Forest's Murillo, left, and Brentford's Yoane Wissa in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Brentford at City Ground, Nottingham, England, Thursday May 1, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) AP

Just two of the six teams behind Liverpool won, leaving Newcastle United (suddenly chasing a runners-up place) and Aston Villa the big winners as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest saw their chances dramatically diminish.

Forest had a Champions League place within their reach, leading relegated Leicester City until conceding in the 81st minute of play. Those two points dropped were critical as it could've seen Forest go above Chelsea into fifth,

There's still an awful lot on the line for this Premier League season, but the line between great and poor seasons has long since evaporated and it feels like Week 36 is not too early for some awards decisions.

A decisive champion does not make a dominant one, and the Premier League's Best XI is unlikely to look like it has in recent seasons when Man City or Liverpool take up most of the positions on nearly every ballot.

The Scout is tipping five players for big success in Gameweek 37 of 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League ahead of Friday's 18:00 BST deadline. Aston Villa could become the latest team to benefit from Tottenham Hotspur's European commitments. Spurs have won only one of their last 10 Premier League matches and are without a clean sheet in that time.

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