With the Premier League reaching its final two matchweeks, four clubs remain firmly involved in the fight for Champions League qualification. Liverpool sit fourth on 59 points, Aston Villa are a point behind on 58 with a game in hand, while Bournemouth (55) and Brighton & Hove Albion (53) are not out of the equation and have two games remaining.

Liverpool are in the strongest position. A victory in either of their remaining matches would secure a top-five finish. The Reds must overcome Aston Villa at Villa Park in one of those fixtures and would then close the campaign at home to Brentford if qualification is not sealed in the Midlands. A draw at Villa Park could be sufficient depending on results elsewhere.

Aston Villa remain central to how the race unfolds. Villa travel to Burnley this Sunday and then host Liverpool, before ending their season at Manchester City. Their European destiny could be affected by the Europa League final. “Should Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League final against Freiburg and then finish fifth, it means the team that comes sixth in the Premier League will also qualify for Europe’s premier competition next term.” That scenario would extend qualification to an additional league position.

Bournemouth occupy sixth and have kept their hopes alive after a recent win over Fulham. The Cherries need at least one victory from their final two games to give themselves a realistic chance of moving into the top five; back-to-back wins would greatly improve their prospects. Bournemouth head into a high-profile home game against Manchester City on May 19, followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest on May 24, which will be Andoni Iraola’s final match in charge of Forest.

Brighton remain in contention on 53 points with two matches to play. All four clubs face awkward, high-stakes fixtures and the outcome will depend on form across the remaining dates. The final stretch promises close margins, where a single result will likely decide who progresses to Europe’s elite competition next season.

Bournemouth have suspended right-back Álex Jiménez while the club investigates messages alleged to have been exchanged with an account operated by a user claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. The club confirmed the decision in a statement issued on Friday.

“AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Álex Jimenez. The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated.

“As a result, Álex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Jiménez was omitted from Bournemouth’s travelling party for the Premier League fixture, his first absence from a top-flight matchday group since joining the club eight months ago.

Departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who has been linked to Manchester United among others, was asked about the situation by BBC Radio Solent ahead of Saturday’s fixture in west London. He acknowledged the club must complete its inquiries before any further action is taken.

“The club has to do their investigations and see what has really happened,” he said. “We will then move from there. I hope it’s not what we think.”

The club’s statement and the manager’s comments confirm that a formal process is under way and that the player will not be considered for immediate selection while the matter is examined. Bournemouth have said they will make no further comment at this stage.

Junior Kroupi’s first season with Bournemouth has developed into one of the Premier League’s most eye-catching breakthrough campaigns. The France youth international has scored in his last two matches to reach 12 goals for the season, a total that equals the record set by Robbie Keane and Robbie Fowler for most Premier League strikes by a teenager in their debut season.

That form has attracted interest from elite teams. The Times report that Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Man City are both monitoring him, and Barcelona are also named among admirers. Kroupi does not have a release clause in his Bournemouth contract, which makes any transfer discussion more complicated, and the south coast club are determined to retain him for at least another season. Bournemouth view him as a £100 million ($136 million) star in the making.

Kroupi has been central to Bournemouth’s unexpected campaign, one that could culminate in Champions League qualification. Only seven players have scored more than him in the Premier League this season, and just two of his strikes have come from the penalty spot. His goalscoring is complemented by versatility: he has been deployed as an attacking midfielder behind Evanilson and has not lost goalscoring output in that withdrawn role. Five of his strikes have come in 13 appearances as a No. 10.

Technically, Kroupi’s clean ball striking, close control and speed have produced a catalogue of high-quality finishes. He has often been used as an impact substitute this term, starting only 18 league matches and frequently being withdrawn before the 70-minute mark. Despite limited minutes, he is averaging a goal every 121 minutes in the Premier League, a rate bettered only by William Osula (117 minutes) and Erling Haaland (111 minutes) this season.

Barcelona’s potential need for a centre forward is noted in the context of Robert Lewandowski’s expected departure and Ferran Torres remaining the only natural No. 9. Barça will consider several options, including more established names such as Julián Alvarez, while their financial constraints make a large outlay on a relatively inexperienced player a delicate decision.