Thanks to Alisson Becker who scored a free header in the dying embers of the game to win the weekend’s past match for Jurgen Klopp, the excitement is still alive for another Matchday in the English Premier League.
Liverpool’s win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns has induced a sense of excitement in the race for Champions League qualification spots.
A defeat or a draw would have poured water on the Reds’ aspirations to secure Champions League action for next season. However, after their victory, Chelsea, Leicester City, and Liverpool are neck-and-neck to get a slot in Europe’s elite club competition for next season.
Chelsea’s loss against Arsenal has put them in a difficult situation. They were well on course to finish in the top four for the third consecutive season but the unfavorable/negative result against Mikel Arteta’s men has put their chances in jeopardy.
The current standings in the English Premier League are as follows:
"Leicester City- 66 points, GD= +21 Chelsea- 64 points, GD= +22 Liverpool-63 points, GD= +21 (Via: Premier League)"
The Foxes have bought themselves some breathing room with their 2-1 win at Old Trafford in GW 36. Mathematically, there are two CL spots that are up for grabs with five teams vying for it.
But it is Chelsea, Leicester City, and Liverpool who are serious contenders for the last two spots available. With two games left to play in England’s top-flight, GW37 has a big role to play ahead of D-day, which is the 23rd May 2021.
Here are the nine possibilities that can set up a fitting end to the EPL 2020/21 campaign…
In the above-mentioned case, Leicester City will seal their spot in the top four and qualify for the Champions League next season.
Liverpool will break into the top four whereas Chelsea will drop out of the two Champions League spots. It will boil down to the final day of the season for both Chelsea and Liverpool in the above example.
Scenario 2: If Chelsea wins against Leicester City and Liverpool registers a win over Burnley
If Chelsea are victorious at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, they will leapfrog Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes back into third place. Liverpool will also break into the top four with a win at Turf Moor because of their better goal difference over Leicester.
In this instance, all three clubs will be in contention for the remaining two Champions League spots and will have to win their respective fixtures on the final day of the season.
Scenario 3: If Leicester City ends up with a draw against Chelsea and Liverpool registers a win over Burnley
If Thomas Tuchel’s men share the points with Leicester City in their matchup and Liverpool come away with all three points against the Clarets, there will be a shift in the standings.
Leicester City will be one point clear in a Champions League spot whereas the Merseysiders will break into the top four, pushing Chelsea down to fifth position. Again, everything to play for in GW38 with must-win games for all.
Scenario 4: If Leicester City ends up with a draw against Chelsea and Liverpool loses against Burnley
Liverpool fans will be least in favor of Scenario 4. If the Reds lose their game against the Clarets on Wednesday, their top-four objective will take a big hit.
If Leicester City and Chelsea share a point and Burnley takes all three points home, Liverpool’s top-four hopes will be in jeopardy. Leicester City will book their place in the Champions League irrespective of GW38 results.
Scenario 5: If Leicester City wins against Chelsea and Liverpool loses against Burnley
Here the Foxes will not only ensure their finish in the top four but also will finish third irrespective of the results on the final day of the season.
The Blues and the Reds will battle it out for CL qualification but sixth-placed Tottenham will be in contention for a CL spot if they get a positive result in GW37 against Aston Villa.
Scenario 6: If Chelsea wins against Leicester City and Liverpool loses to Burnley
In this situation, Liverpool will not only have to win their final game against Crystal Palace by a huge margin but also pray for a Leicester City loss.
Chelsea will qualify for next season’s Champions League irrespective of the result on the last day of the season against Aston Villa.
Scenario 7: If Chelsea wins against Leicester City and Liverpool draw against Burnley
If Chelsea can get a positive result at Stamford Bridge against the Foxes in GW37 and Liverpool drop points at Turf Moor, the battle for the final two spots will boil down to the last day of the season.
However, in this case, Liverpool will have to depend on other results as Leicester City and Chelsea will have a better chance to finish inside the Champions League spots with them in the driving seats.
Scenario 8: If Leicester City ends up with a draw against Chelsea and Liverpool share the points with Burnley
If all three teams get one point in GW37, the race for the top four will be all exciting again with Tottenham Hotspur lurking around, hoping for a couple of slip-ups from the teams above them.
All teams will need a positive result to stake a claim for Champions League football next season. None of these clubs will have a guaranteed spot before the ball gets rolling in GW38 if scenario 8 plays out.
Scenario 9: If Leicester City wins against Chelsea and Liverpool draws with Burnley
If Liverpool drop points at Turf Moor, they will have an enormous task cut out against Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace on the last day.
Here, Leicester City will not only finish in the top four but will also be the second runners-up in the league. Liverpool will then have to depend on Chelsea’s result as well on the last day of the season.
Who will make it to the Champions League? Leicester City, Chelsea, or Liverpool? Or will there be a late twist in the 2020/2021 tale for Tottenham Hotspur? Have your say below!