There are major battles with a lot at stake in the top, middle and bottom parts of the table
The Premier League season has been long, and sometimes frankly unentertaining, but things are shaping up now in the final weeks
The title will be won, the final relegation spot confirmed and European dreams either realised or crushed within the space of the next two matchweeks.
The top, middle and bottom parts of the table still all carry something meaningful. Manchester City are still waiting to pounce if Arsenal slip up, Tottenham and West Ham are fighting to avoid the drop at the expense of the other, and the race for European qualification is one hell of a thicket.
Arsenal Closing in on the Title
Arsenal hold the advantage at the top after their dramatic win over West Ham opened up a five-point lead. City responded by beating Crystal Palace 3-0, keeping the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side, but Pep Guardiola’s team have no room for mistakes and have the tougher fixtures.
The Gunners know that victories in their final two matches would guarantee a first league title in 22 years, and if Mikel Arteta had to choose, he could hardly have picked any teams different to the two his side have to face. Arsenal’s immediate task is a home game against already-relegated Burnley, before facing a Crystal Palace side in the bottom half of the table but secure from relegation and distracted by a Conference League final.
If both City and Arsenal collect full points again next matchweek, the title race could stretch to the final day. Arsenal would travel to Crystal Palace, while City host Aston Villa. But the momentum currently belongs to Arsenal. After years of rebuilding, they are now within touching distance of ending their long wait.
Their fixtures:
Arsenal: Burnley (H), Crystal Palace (A)
Man City: Bournemouth (A), Aston Villa (H)
Tottenham and West Ham Locked in Relegation Fight
Either Tottenham or West Ham will be heading to the Championship alongside Burnley and Wolves. Tottenham have the advantage but their 1-1 draw with Leeds United kept West Ham in the race. Spurs remain just ahead with two points, but they do have some tricky fixtures.
First, they must travel to Stamford Bridge and beat Chelsea, who still have some chance of making at least the Conference League if they win their next two games. Then they will face David Moyes’s Everton at home on final day.
West Ham need to arrest their two-game losing streak and beat Newcastle United away. Anything less would leave Tottenham with the chance to secure safety against Chelsea.
Depending on the results in matchweek 37, the final day could bring enormous tension as West Ham host Leeds at the same time that Tottenham host Everton.
Their fixtures:
Tottenham: Chelsea (A), Everton (H)
West Ham: Newcastle (H), Leeds (H)
The Fight for European Football
England’s strong European performances mean the Premier League’s top five teams will qualify for the Champions League next season. There is even a possibility that sixth place could also become enough.
If Aston Villa, who are currently fifth, win the Europa League while finishing fifth or sixth, they will gain automatic qualification to the Champions League and the team placed fifth or sixth will be awarded the fifth qualification spot. However, if Villa were to finish fourth and win the Europa League this would not be the case.
Unai Emery’s men face Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul. Villa and Liverpool are both on 59 points, making their meeting especially significant. The winner would secure a top-five finish and possibly fourth place. If that winner is Villa, then Liverpool will likely finish fifth and whoever finishes sixth will be unable to qualify for the Champions League.
Bournemouth remain outsiders to Europe’s elite competition but are still mathematically involved. They sit four points behind Villa and could have a chance if they win their last two games and Villa fail to win any of theirs. However, the Cherries still have to play Manchester City, which makes it particularly difficult for them.
Brighton are also in contention for the Champions League. They trail Bournemouth by only two points and have a superior goal difference, meaning a strong finish could yet move them into the conversation.
Brentford could qualify for Europe if results go their way. Seventh place is expected to secure some form of continental competition, while eighth could also become enough depending on who wins the FA Cup.
If Manchester City defeat Chelsea in the FA Cup final, another European place would likely pass down through the league standings. However, if Chelsea win the cup and Aston Villa also lift the Europa League while finishing fifth, the allocation changes again, potentially sending the seventh-placed team into the Conference League instead.
Crystal Palace could also qualify for the Europa League by winning the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano later this month.
Their fixtures:
Liverpool: Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H)
Aston Villa: Liverpool (H), Manchester City (A)
Bournemouth: Manchester City(H), Nottingham Forest (A)
Brighton: Leeds (A), Manchester United (H)
Chelsea: Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A)
Everton: Sunderland (H), Tottenham (A)
