We are set for a thrilling end to the 2020/21 Premier League season as there is still a lot to be decided at the top of the table.
Manchester City have been crowned champions while Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham have already been relegated.
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But the race for the European places is heating up nicely as teams head into their final game and it is set to go right down to the wire.
Here’s what is on the line this weekend and what could get resolved…
Premier League permutations
Man City have been crowned champions and so have secured their place in the Champions League next season. They will face Chelsea in the final of this year’s elite European competition on May 29.
Likewise, Manchester United will finish second despite only managing a draw at home to Fulham. The Red Devils will then face Villarreal in the Europa League final on May 26.
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The top four teams in the Premier League will qualify for the group stages of the Champions League while winning either of Europe’s tournaments will also secure a place in the group phase.
A maximum of five English teams can play in the Champions League.
While City and United are already in, Chelsea winning the Champions League but finishing fifth would see England’s five team quota fulfilled.
The Blues, Liverpool and Leicester are in the mix to finish in the top four.
There is then the matter of the Europa League qualification and for the new Europa Conference League.
The fifth-placed team and winners of the FA Cup will qualify for the group stage proper of the Europa League.
Leicester beat Chelsea in the final last weekend and if both finish in the top four, the Europa League spot will go to the next highest-ranked side which has not qualified for a UEFA competition.
The Europa Conference League spot goes to the EFL Cup winners. As Man City won that trophy, their spot will again go to the next highest-ranked team which has not qualified for a UEFA competition.
That means the top seven clubs in the Premier League are set to secure European football next season. Here’s what could happen…
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Chelsea
67 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Aston Villa (away)
Beaten FA Cup finalists Chelsea took a huge step towards securing a top-four finish by beating Leicester 2-1 on Tuesday.
A win over Aston Villa on the last day will confirm it but a point will be enough if Leicester fail to beat Tottenham.
Should they lose on Sunday and both Leicester and Liverpool win their games, Thomas Tuchel’s team will have to settle for a Europa League place.
The Blues could, however, then secure Champions League football if they beat Man City in the final of this season’s tournament later this month.
Liverpool
66 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Crystal Palace (home)
Liverpool moved up to fourth with their win over Burnley on Wednesday.
If the Reds better Leicester’s result on the final day, they will finish at least fourth.
There is, however, a very real possibility of goal difference deciding who finishes fourth.
If Chelsea win their final game they will finish on 70 points and in third. And if Leicester and Liverpool both win as well, they will be on 69 each and goal difference will be used.
As it stands, Liverpool are on +24 and Leicester are on +20.
Should Liverpool fail to finish in the top four, a Europa League place beckons.
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Leicester
66 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Tottenham (home)
Leicester were in the driving seat to finish third but suffered a damaging defeat to Chelsea.
A top-four finish is now out of their hands and they must better what Chelsea and/or Liverpool do on Sunday.
Should Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool all win, the Foxes will need to secure a better goal difference than the Reds to clinch Champions League football.
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West Ham
62 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Southampton (home)
West Ham are in a great position to secure sixth and the second Europa League spot following Wednesday’s results.
The Hammers just need a point on the final day to hold off their rivals.
Even a defeat could be enough so long as Spurs don’t win and there isn’t a huge swing in goal difference to Everton.
Tottenham
59 points, 37 games – Remaining Spurs games: Leicester (away)
Tottenham face Leicester on the final day in another key game and must win and hope West Ham lose.
Should that happen, Spurs have a far better goal difference then the Hammers.
The north Londoners may have to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League place in seventh but could miss out on that too with Everton, Arsenal and Leeds all lurking.
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Everton
59 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Man City (away)
Everton will need to win on Sunday and hope West Ham lose and Tottenham don’t win.
They will also need a huge swing in goal difference to the Hammers.
Everton go into the game on +4 while West Ham are on +12.
Arsenal
58 points, 37 games – Remaining games: Brighton (home)
Arsenal can only finish as high as seventh and in the Europa Conference League spot
They will likely have to win and hope both Tottenham and Everton fail to do so.
A draw could be enough if Spurs suffer a heavy defeat and Everton also lose.
Leeds United
56 points, 37 games – Remaining games: West Brom (home)
Leeds have won three on the bounce to keep their faint hopes of making the Europa Conference League alive.
They must win their remaining match and then need a near-impossible swing in results to go their way.
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