The Premier League season culminates on Sunday with a dramatic final round of fixtures set to determine the remaining European qualification berths and the last team to suffer relegation to the Championship. While Arsenal secured their first league title in 22 years earlier this week, and Manchester City and Manchester United are guaranteed to join them in the top three, the battle for other continental places and top-flight survival remains fiercely contested.
England has already secured an Elite Performance Spot (EPS) for next season’s Champions League, meaning five Premier League clubs will feature in Europe’s elite competition. With Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa already confirmed, one spot officially remains. However, a unique set of circumstances could see an unprecedented six English teams qualify for the Champions League.
The unprecedented Champions League chase
Aston Villa’s recent Europa League final victory adds another layer of complexity. Currently fourth, three points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, Villa’s final position is crucial. If Villa holds onto fourth, England will have five Champions League teams. However, a sixth spot opens up if Villa finishes fifth.
Liverpool needs to beat Brentford and hope Villa lose at Manchester City to overtake Villa for fourth.
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If Villa finishes fifth, one of Bournemouth or Brighton could join Liverpool as a sixth English team in the Champions League.
Bournemouth needs a point at Nottingham Forest to guarantee a top-six finish.
Brighton would need to beat Manchester United and for Bournemouth to lose to finish sixth.
Should England secure six Champions League places, it would impact the Europa League, reducing the number of English qualifiers for that competition.
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Europa and Conference League hopes
The allocation of Europa League and Conference League spots also hinges on the Champions League permutations and Manchester City’s domestic cup triumphs. If England has five Champions League qualifiers, the sixth and seventh-placed teams will enter the Europa League. If there are six Champions League qualifiers, only the seventh-placed team will qualify for the Europa League.
Liverpool needs a point to guarantee a top-five finish if Villa holds onto fourth.
Bournemouth has already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, securing either Champions League or Europa League football.
Brighton, currently seventh, holds a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford. A win against Manchester United would guarantee them Europa League football at least.
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Chelsea, in eighth, currently occupies the Conference League play-off qualifying spot. A win at Sunderland would secure them European football.
Brentford can secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea’s result.
Sunderland, in tenth, could leapfrog both Chelsea and Brentford into a European spot if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.
Relegation: Tottenham or West Ham?
At the bottom of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley have already had their relegation confirmed. The final day will decide whether Tottenham or West Ham join them in the Championship.
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Tottenham (17th) is two points clear of West Ham.
Tottenham also boasts a significant 12-goal advantage in goal difference.
A draw for Tottenham at home to Everton would all but confirm their Premier League survival. The only scenario for relegation with a draw would be if West Ham beats Leeds by an unprecedented 12 or more goals.
West Ham must beat Leeds to stand any chance of survival. If West Ham wins and Tottenham loses to Everton, West Ham will stay up.
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As reported by BBC Sport, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Premier League season, with high stakes for clubs across the table.
Sources: www.bbc.com
