Liverpool and Bournemouth could face dramatic play-off for Champions League spot

The final day of the season could result in something that has never been seen before in Premier League history: a play-off to determine which team finishes higher in the table

Liverpool and Bournemouth could himself themselves playing a dramatic one-off game to decide which team goes into the Champions League. Both clubs are in with a chance of qualifying for Europe's elite competition ahead of the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday.

Bournemouth were on course go to within a point of the Reds before conceding a late equaliser in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City. Now the gap is three, with Liverpool due to host Brentford while Bournemouth travel to Nottingham Forest.

Six goals better off than the Cherries, Liverpool's goal difference also gives them advantage. But there is a scenario in which the teams could finish dead level and trigger an historic play-off.

If Bournemouth beat Forest exactly 5-0 while Liverpool lose 1-0 against Bournemouth, they would both end the season on 59 points, with 63 goals scored and 53 conceded.

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Head-to-head results would be the first tiebreaker, but even those are nearly identical. Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield on the opening night of the season before the Cherries got their revenge with a 3-2 victory on the south coast in January.

In the event that head-to-head results are the same, the number of away goals scored in the two matches is the next deciding factor. But given that they're also the same, a one-off match be required to finally separate them.

The fixture, which could go to extra-time and penalties, would take place at a neutral venue shortly on an unspecified date. It'd also mark the first play-off in Premier League history.

Who'd win the play-off match - Liverpool or Bournemouth? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

However, Bournemouth have another route to the Champions League even if they finish below Liverpool. Should Aston Villa win their Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday before finishing fifth in the Premier League, sixth place would become a Champions League spot.

In order for that to happen, Villa would have to lose their final game away to Man City while Liverpool beat Brentford. That would see the Reds go up to fourth in the table.

Andoni Iraola's side aren't guaranteed sixth, though. Bournemouth will miss out if they lose to Forest and Brighton win their home game against Manchester United.