So there is no relegation battle, with Sheffield United, Fulham and West Brom already relegated and no last-day title decider with Manchester City already crowned champions, but there is still an awful lot to play for on the final day of the Premier League. The European places are still up for grabs with only the two Manchester clubs guaranteed of playing Champions League football next term. Here is what could happen in the top half of the division.
Race for Champions League
As it stands:
3rd - Chelsea - 67pts (+23gd)
4th - Liverpool - 66 (+24)
5th - Leicester - 66 (+20)
Notable Fixtures:
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea are currently in third place in the Premier League on 67 points and Thomas Tuchel’s men know that a win against Aston Villa on Sunday will guarantee them a place in the Champions League, no matter what happens elsewhere. If they do have a disastrous final day and fall out of the top four, they do have a back-up option - winning the Champions League final next weekend.
Liverpool and Leicester are both a point adrift of the Blues, but the Reds boast a four goal advantage when it comes to goal difference. That means, if they continue their recent good run of form, they should finish in the top four with a win, barring a miracle in the east Midlands.
Leicester are relying on results elsewhere. If both Chelsea and Liverpool win they are unlikely to overhaul them unless they run riot against Spurs. They know they have to win to leapfrog Chelsea, while Brendan Rodgers knows if they fail to win, they will be relying on Crystal Palace to beat Liverpool at Anfield.
Race for Europa League
As it stands:
6th - West Ham - 62 (+12)
7th - Tottenham - 59 (+21)
8th - Everton - 59 (+4)
Notable Fixtures:
West Ham United v Southampton
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Everton
Leicester will be playing European football next season. If they fail to get into the top four, they will finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League. The FA Cup winner also gets a Europa League place but as Leicester won that competition and Chelsea were the runners-up, no further places are awarded to English clubs.
Unless Chelsea finish fifth and win the Champions League, the teams that end the season fifth and sixth will qualify for the Europa League. With Leicester guaranteed a Europa League spot minimum, that leaves three clubs fighting for sixth spot.
West Ham are in pole position and know that a point against struggling Southampton would be enough to secure them sixth position in a remarkable season for David Moyes. Only a defeat would open the door for Tottenham, who would need to win to pass the Hammers on goal difference. Everton are also mathematically in with a shout, but would need to beat Man City handsomely, and hope West Ham were hammered by Southampton. Unlikely.
This is West Ham’s to lose, while Tottenham will need to beat a side who are in desperate need of a win themselves as Leicester push for a top four finish.
Race for Europa Conference League
As it stands:
6th - West Ham - 62 (+12)
7th - Tottenham - 59 (+21)
8th - Everton - 59 (+4)
9th - Arsenal - 58 (+14)
Notable fixtures:
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Everton
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
The side that finishes 7th in the Premier League will be entered into the brand spanking new Europa Conference League, as if we didn’t already have enough European football. To be played on Thursday nights alongside the Europa League, several sides can still qualify for this competition.
If West Ham get the point they require to finish in the top six, then the race for seventh becomes quite interesting. Tottenham have a tricky away game at Leicester, Everton are away at Man City, which opens the door for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side to qualify for ‘Europe’ once again. They face Brighton at home, knowing a win should be enough if other results fall as expected.
No Aguero moment this time around, but get your spot on the sofa reserved for what should be an intriguing final day. Sunday at 4pm. Don’t miss it.
