What is left to be determined as the season reaches its conclusion in the Premier League.
The Premier League season has come to its final 10 matches with the title, last Champions League place, other European places, and a relegation place all still to be decided. In each of those battles, there are a pair of clubs looking to end up on top.
This article will explain in full which teams are fighting for what and the clinching scenarios for all parties involved.
The fixtures on Sunday will take place at 17:00 CET which you can find here.
Premier League title: Manchester City (90 points), Liverpool (89)
For the second time in four seasons, City and Liverpool will go into the final day with just a point separating the two; the latter will hope to not face a repeat outcome as they did in the previous title race.
As it was three years ago, Liverpool will host Wolves, in pursuit of catching Pep Guardiola’s men. As for the Cityzens, they will host Aston Villa. City holds a goal difference of +72 versus Liverpool’s +66, meaning a draw at Anfield will practically gift City the title irrespective of the result at the Etihad.
Realistically, the only way Jurgen Klopp’s side can still dream of an improbable quadruple past Sunday is by winning at home while City falter at home. Otherwise, the Premier League trophy will stay at the Etihad for the fourth time in the last five campaigns. A one-off playoff game between the two looks incredibly unlikely at this point.
Neither Villa nor Wolves are playing for anything substantial other than some extra prize money. The former can jump up to as high as 11th should things go their way. Wolves will finish in the top half.
Champions League Football: Spurs (68), Arsenal (66)
One of the other major talking points heading into Sunday is the battle to join City, Liverpool and Chelsea in next season’s Champions League. After relinquishing their grip on fourth place on Monday, Mikael Arteta’s Gunners are on the outside looking in.
Back-to-back defeats, the first coming to Antonio Conte’s Spurs, mean that Arsenal require a win at home to Everton coupled with a defeat by their North London foes at relegated Norwich.
A point should just about seal it for Spurs as they hold a goal-difference advantage of five going into Sunday. The team that ends up fifth will play Europa League football in the fall of events.
Both Everton and Norwich know where they stand heading into the final weekend of action. The Toffees assured their Premier League status for next season following a dramatic win midweek at home to Crystal Palace, as Frank Lampard’s side overturned a 2-0 deficit to claim the crucial three points.
Norwich will return to the Championship next campaign following a dismal performance across the season in the Premier League. Both the Canaries and Everton can finish one place higher than their current positions.
Europa League battle: Manchester United (58), West Ham United (56)
While this pairing will capture less attention, the other Europa League place is yet to be secured.
As a result of Liverpool topping Chelsea in both the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals, the Europa League and Europa Conference League spots attached to those cup wins have been transferred to the sixth and seventh place Premier League teams, respectively.
Ralf Rangnick’s United hold a slender lead over the Hammers, with a win from the Red Devils being required to assure Europa League football next September.
David Moyes’ West Ham will pip United for sixth with a win at Brighton plus Crystal Palace taking points in their final home game of the season. The Hammers have the advantage on goal difference with a +11 in comparison to United’s +1.
The team that finishes seventh will start their European journey next August in the Europa Conference League playoff round. Neither Brighton nor Palace are in danger of relegation nor will they qualify for European football competitions.
Only placement is on the line here, with either side being able to finish as low as 14th. The former can end up eighth while the latter’s highest possible finish could be 10th.
Avoiding the drop: Burnley (35), Leeds United (35)
After turbulent seasons for both sides, Burnley and Leeds will attempt to avoid the same fate as Norwich and Watford as one of the two will play their football in the Championship next summer.
The pair head into Sunday inseparable on points. The Clarets, however, boast a considerably better goal difference (-18 versus -38). This means that in essence, the only way for Jesse Marsch’s Leeds to beat the drop is by gaining more points than Burnley.
A trip to London awaits Leeds as they battle Brentford, while Mike Jackson’s men will entertain Newcastle at Turf Moor. Just matching Leeds’ result will be enough for the Clarets.
Brentford and Newcastle both secured their top-flight status in recent weeks despite having their fair share of struggles throughout the year. Fittingly, both sides are on 46 points and can still end up in the top half at the conclusion of the weekend.
Other Premier League Matches
The other two fixtures to take place on Sunday will see Chelsea host Watford while Southampton will make the trip to the King Power to face Leicester.
The Blues will aim to assure third place, with a point being needed for that. After what looked like a promising start to the season, things have fallen off for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Add the uncertainty over the club’s immediate future, they are facing dire times. Thankfully things behind closed doors can progress quickly under the ownership.
As for the Hornets, the only thing they are trying to do is ensure they do not end up in the basement. A win will do exactly that or if they at least match Norwich’s result.
Ralph Hassenhuttl’s Saints are a point in advance of Everton in 15th. They cannot finish higher than 15th or lower than 16th. Meanwhile Leicester, they are ninth, and can realistically finish between eighth and 10th. Unable to build on their performances of the last two years, their season is seen as a failure by some, if not, most.
So enjoy the action on Sunday, as there will be celebrations and tears across the 10 venues hosting the football.
In what will be one of the most intense final days in years, make sure to have your eyes glued to one, two, or even all 10 of the games as you will seldom want to miss any of the drama that is sure to unfold in the final weekend of the 2021-22 Premier League season.