The Premier League will lastly attain the tip of its longest season on Sunday with a lot nonetheless on the road at each ends of the desk. Manchester United and Leicester face each other in a shootout for a spot within the Champions League subsequent season with Chelsea additionally hoping to safe their place within the prime 4. Wolves and Tottenham are vying for one place within the Europa League. And on the backside it couldn’t be nearer with one purpose separating Aston Villa simply outdoors the relegation zone from Watford within the backside three, whereas Bournemouth even have an opportunity of beating the drop.
Champions League goals
Leicester fell out of the highest 4 for the primary time since September in midweek after a run of three wins in 13 video games both aspect of the coronavirus shutdown.
Nonetheless, United’s and Chelsea’s failures to win on Wednesday means the door continues to be open for Brendan Rodgers’s males to salvage all the great work they did early within the season with victory on dwelling soil on Sunday.
Leicester are hampered by accidents to James Maddison, Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira, however have had a full week to arrange in stark distinction to United’s packed schedule.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s males have seemed jaded previously week in losing 3-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals and being held 1-1 at dwelling by West Ham.
United have overturned an eight-point deficit to Leicester because the restart, however Rodgers is hoping it’s the Purple Devils who fold below the strain.
“We might love to have the ability to try this however when you find yourself a membership like Manchester United, or a type of tremendous golf equipment, there’s a have to be within the Champions League for a lot of causes,” mentioned Rodgers.
Chelsea just need a point at home to Wolves to seal Champions League soccer subsequent season, however ought to Frank Lampard’s males lose, then a draw between Leicester and United would see the latter two end within the prime 4.
Spurs surge towards Europa League
Whoever misses out on the Champions League between United, Chelsea and Leicester might be assured fifth and a spot within the Europa League subsequent season.
Wolves want to go one higher than their positive first marketing campaign again within the top-flight final season by ending within the prime six and have the potential to upset Chelsea’s push for the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
Nonetheless, any slip from Nuno Espirito Santo’s males would give Spurs the prospect to maneuver into sixth.
Jose Mourinho’s aspect have received their final three and might be assured forward of a trip to Crystal Palace, who’ve misplaced their final seven video games.
Seventh may nonetheless be adequate for European soccer subsequent season, however that will depend on Chelsea beating Arsenal within the FA Cup closing on August 1.
Relegation dogfight
On the backside, two of Bournemouth, Watford and Villa will be a part of already relegated Norwich within the Championship subsequent season.
Villa have the higher hand with a three-point lead on Bournemouth and a touch higher purpose distinction than Watford.
Dean Smith’s males even have momentum after a 1-Zero win over Arsenal on Tuesday and journey to a West Ham aspect now certain of their place within the Premier League subsequent season.
“Outcomes went our method within the week and we’re above the dotted line in the meanwhile,” mentioned Smith.
“An important factor is to be above that dotted line on Sunday and we all know we’ve to win to ensure that.”
Watford’s sacking of Nigel Pearson with simply two video games of the season remaining did the Hornets little good in a Four-Zero thrashing by the hands of Manchester Metropolis on Wednesday and so they journey to Arsenal needing to raised Villa’s consequence.
Ought to each lose then Bournemouth may lengthen their five-season keep within the top-flight by beating Everton at Goodison Park.
Promoted
“The following recreation is the largest recreation of all our careers,” mentioned Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
Fixtures (all video games 1500 GMT Sunday): Arsenal v Watford, Burnley v Brighton, Chelsea v Wolves, Crystal Palace v Tottenham, Everton v Bournemouth, Leicester v Man Utd, Man Metropolis v Norwich, Newcastle v Liverpool, Southampton v Sheff Utd, West Ham v Aston Villa
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