The Premier League title has been wrapped up by Manchester City for the third season in a row, but there is still plenty to be decided in the final week of the season.
Leicester City – champions just seven years ago – are currently set for the drop, though they could move out of the bottom three and push Everton into the relegation zone ahead of the Sunday’s conclusion to the campaign.
The Champions League and Europa League places appear to be set in stone, but a total collapse from Newcastle, Manchester United or Brighton could shake up the pecking order.
But there is a fierce race for the final European spot with three teams separated by just two points.
Ahead of the final mid-week games of the season before this weekend’s finale, Mail Sport runs you through all the permutations.
The biggest battle going into the final day of the season appears to be the one at the bottom with Everton, Leicester and Leeds all fighting for their Premier League survival this week
Liverpool’s top-four hopes could come to an end before the final day of the season
BATTLE FOR THE TOP FOUR
Newcastle v Manchester United v Liverpool
This race looks like it has already been run. Liverpool needed Newcastle or Manchester United to slip up even before they lost two valuable points in their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Now the Reds are left needing Newcastle or Manchester United to lose both their final two games of the season this week.
Both the Magpies and the Red Devils have a game-in-hand over Liverpool. Eddie Howe’s side could seal their return to the Champions League after a two-decade absence with a point against Leicester on Monday night.
If that happens, and Manchester United were then to pick up a point against Chelsea on Thursday, then Liverpool’s top-four dreams will crash to an end.
Newcastle could seal their return to Europe’s most prestigious competition on Monday
Manchester United are also one point away from securing a top-four spot ahead of Liverpool
Roberto Firmino’s 89th minute goal against Aston Villa could be massive if Newcastle or Manchester United suffer a major slip-up in the final week
Should either one or both Newcastle or Manchester United lose those games, then the Reds’ top-four hopes will somehow still be alive going into the final day of the season.
The Reds could then finish ahead of their greatest rivals if they beat already-relegated Southampton and Man United lose to Fulham.
Should Newcastle lose to both Leicester and Chelsea, and Liverpool beat Southampton, it still might not be enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
That is because the Reds would still need a goal swing of seven due to Newcastle’s greater goal difference.
If Newcastle or Manchester United slip up, then Roberto Firmino’s 89th minute equaliser against Aston Villa in his final game at Anfield could prove massive for Liverpool.
Remaining games
Monday, May 22
Newcastle vs Leicester City
Thursday, May 25
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Sunday, May 28
Chelsea vs Newcastle
Manchester United vs Fulham
Southampton vs Liverpool
BATTLE FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE
Brighton v Aston Villa
Not really much of a battle as Aston Villa’s chances of finishing in the top six look even worse than Liverpool’s hopes of getting out of the Europa League places.
But Aston Villa could theoretically overtake Brighton for sixth if they beat the Seagulls on Sunday.
However, Brighton do have a game-in-hand and they could seal sixth with a point against Man City on Wednesday.
Brighton will mathematically secure a Europa League spot with a draw against Man City
Brighton also hold a +16 goal difference advantage over Aston Villa, meaning it would take a near miracle for the Midlands ide to jump ahead on the final day.
Emery will be hoping that Man City didn’t party too hard and hand the Seagulls a thumping in their mid-week clash, though they would still likely need a huge victory on Sunday to make the Europa League.
Remaining games
Wednesday, May 24
Brighton vs Man City
Sunday, May 28
Aston Villa vs Brighton
BATTLE FOR THE EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Aston Villa v Tottenham v Brentford
Aston Villa’s real battle appears to be the one to keep the final European spot, as they currently occupy the one and only Europa Conference League position.
However, just two points separate them, Tottenham and Brentford who sit in ninth going into the final day of the season.
All three sides face tricky games going into the final day of the season and the order from seventh to ninth could drastically change by the close of play on Sunday.
While Aston Villa host Brighton, Tottenham face relegation battling Leeds and Brentford host newly crowned champions Man City.
The most interesting of the three games could be Tottenham’s clash with Leeds who need nothing less than a victory to ensure their Premier League survival.
Tottenham are chasing Aston Villa for the final European spot going into the final day
Brentford are ninth in the league but are also in the race for the final European spot
Brentford will play what could be a much-changed Man City side given Pep Guardiola’s side will have an eye on the FA Cup final with Manchester United and Champions League final against Inter Milan.
However, City’s victory over Chelsea with a much-changed starting XI is a clear indication that no matter who Guardiola puts out it will be a difficult test for the Bees.
Villa meanwhile will hope City thrash Brighton to keep their extremely slim Europa League hopes alive. But their European hopes could also benefit if Brighton secure sixth with a point against the champions, meaning they would have nothing to fight for against Villa.
If it comes down to goal difference, then Brentford’s total of +11 gives them an advantage over Aston Villa and Tottenham who only have +4.
Remaining games
Sunday, May 28
Aston Villa vs Brighton
Brentford vs Man City
Leeds vs Tottenham
BATTLE FOR RELEGATION
Leicester’s trip to Newcastle on Monday night will determine whether it will be the Foxes or Everton in the driving seat to avoid relegation this weekend.
A victory for Dean Smith’s side over the Magpies would catapult them from 19th to 17th – and ahead of Everton on goal difference. A draw meanwhile would put them level with Leeds on 31 points – two behind the Toffees.
Should Leicester suffer a defeat, they will then need to beat West Ham at home on Sunday and hope that Leeds lose to Tottenham and that Everton lose at home against Bournemouth.
Leeds have the slimmest hopes of survival as things stand as they need to beat Tottenham at Elland Road on Sunday and hope Everton lose.
Sam Allardyce’s side could also stay up with a victory if Everton draw, though they would need to beat Spurs by three goals and hope Leicester fail to get the results that they need.
Leicester need a victory over Tottenham to keep the chances of Premier League survival in their own hands
Everton boss Sean Dyche will be hoping that Leicester fail to beat Newcastle on Monday
Leeds need a lot to go their way if they are to pull off the Great Escape on Sunday afternoon
Everton fans will be Newcastle supporters for the night on Monday, and they will learn more about the chances of their fate by the end of the evening.
If they go into the final day of the season outside the relegation zone then a victory will be enough, though a draw could lead them susceptible to the drop on goal difference.
If they fall behind the Foxes on Monday night, then they will need to beat Bournemouth and hope their rivals take no more than a point from the Hammers.
Though a draw could also be enough if the Foxes lose on Sunday. Leicester have a goal difference advantage of +6 in their favour over Everton, meaning they currently have the advantage if they finish level on points with the Toffees.
Remaining games
Monday, May 22
Newcastle vs Leicester
Sunday, May 28
Everton vs Bournemouth
Leeds vs Tottenham
Leicester vs West Ham
