From Relegation to Race for Europe: What Every Team Needs Ahead of Final Day of The Season

From Relegation to Race for Europe: What Every Team Needs Ahead of Final Day of The Season

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
In this article:
English Premier League logo
ENG Premier League
England
  • With the Premier League heading into the final week on May 22, a lot of subplots are yet to be concluded
  • From the title race to the race for the final Champions League spot to the relegation dogfight, a lot can happen when all the teams play simultaneously on Sunday
  • Earlier this week, fans were treated to the first plot twist of the remaining fixtures as Arsenal succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, leaving their top-four hopes in tatters

There is still a lot at stake going into the final day of the season across the Premier League table.

Sports Brief takes a look at every possible scenario that can happen in all areas of the Premier League table.

Relegation zone

There are two crucial fixtures that are set to take place on Thursday, May 19 and they will determine how the table will look in the relegation zone going into the final day of the season.

Everton host Crystal Palace, while Burnley are away at Aston Villa, with both sides needing points desperately.

Lampard, Premier League
Frank Lampard's Everton need to beat Crystal Palace on Thursday, May 19.
Source: Getty Images

Burnley are currently in the relegation zone but, with their game in hand, they have an edge over Leeds United, who are in 17th in the Premier League table.

Only two points separate Everton in 16th and Burnley in 18th, and neither of these three sides can afford to suffer defeat in their final games of the season.

Leeds’ final game is a tricky fixture against Brentford, while Everton will be away at Arsenal on Sunday.

Burnley have a slight advantage in their final game, which is at home to Newcastle.

Fight for Europa League and Europa Conference League

As reported by Sports Brief, Manchester United and West Ham are both guaranteed of European football next season.

However, it is a question of where the two will be placed, come the end of the campaign.

In the final day of the season, United will be away at Crystal Palace, while West Ham will visit Brighton.

United just need to beat Crystal Palace to secure a Europa League place. On the other hand, if West Ham beat Brighton and United fail to win, it is the Red Devils who will be relegated to the Europa Conference League.

Race for Champions League football

Further up the table, three teams have already secured their slots in the Champions League: Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

After Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle, the race for Champions League football is out of their hands, and Mikel Arteta’s men will need a huge miracle to topple city rivals Tottenham from the top four.

So long as Tottenham do not lose against relegated Norwich on the final day, they will be guaranteed Champions League football as it is practically impossible for Arsenal to beat Everton 15-0 on the final day.

Premier League title dogfight

This is one everyone is familiar with by this point.

After Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday, May 17 coupled with Manchester City’s draw with West Ham days earlier, the title race will go down to the wire.

The Citizens are still top with 90 points and Liverpool are close behind with 89 going into Sunday’s fixtures.

For City, it is pretty straightforward - if they beat Aston Villa, they will be champions for the fourth time in five attempts.

Liverpool will have to do their part and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and hope that Manchester City drop points against Steven Gerrard’s side for the Reds to be crowned Champions.

How Man City, Liverpool could be forced to a play off

In a bizarre scenario, Manchester City and Liverpool could be forced to a play-off with Liverpool if a strange run of results takes place in the final day of the season.

If Aston Villa put up a near-impossible 6-0 victory over Manchester City and then Wolves hold Liverpool to a 5-5 draw, the title will be decided via a playoff.

Such staggering scorelines will put both teams equal on points, goals for, goals against, as well as goals difference.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
Tags
Antonio ConteJürgen KloppMikel ArtetaPep Guardiola