Today, the 38th round of the Premier League will kick off simultaneously. The Premier League season is drawing to a close, and what are the highlights of the final round?
Relegation drama: Tottenham Hotspur basically safe with a draw, West Ham United hanging by a thread
Tottenham Hotspur's relegation status will be the most anticipated focus of the final match. Burnley and Wolves have already been relegated, and Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United will compete for the last safe spot.
In the last 3 rounds, Tottenham Hotspur has 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, while West Ham United has suffered three consecutive defeats. Currently, Tottenham Hotspur leads West Ham United by 2 points and 12 goal difference in the standings. So, as long as Tottenham Hotspur draws, unless West Ham United puts in a concerted effort in the last round and achieves a historic 12-goal difference against Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur will successfully avoid relegation.
However, if Tottenham Hotspur loses to Everton, they will completely surrender and gives the sword of survival the Hammers, and a West Ham United win will send Tottenham Hotspur to the EFL Championship next season.
Key Matches
Tottenham Hotspurvs Everton
West Ham Unitedvs Leeds United
Champions League Zone: As long as Liverpool doesn't falter, everything depends on Aston Villa
The top three positions in the Premier League this season have been determined, with Arsenal winning the title, the two Manchester clubs taking second and third, and Aston Villa, currently in fourth place, securing the Champions League spot from their Europa League champion. Liverpool is currently ranked 5th in the Premier League, leading 6th placed AFC Bournemouth by 3 points and 6 goal difference, and has 5 more goals scored. The conditions for being overtaken by AFC Bournemouth in the last round are extremely stringent.
However, on the other hand, since Aston Villa won the Europa League, if they drop to fifth in the Premier League, the fifth Champions League qualification spot obtained by the Premier League through coefficient points will be passed to the sixth-placed team in the Premier League. Currently, Aston Villa leads Liverpool by 3 points, but has a 4-goal deficit in goal difference. So, if Liverpool wins and Aston Villa loses, the sixth-placed team in the Premier League will have the opportunity to participate in next season's Champions League. Aston Villa's opponent in the final round will be Manchester City, but Manchester City has already lost the chance to compete for the title.
Seventh-placed Brighton is 3 points behind AFC Bournemouth, but has a larger goal difference, and under extreme circumstances, also has a chance to enter the Champions League.
Key Matches
Manchester City vsAston Villa
Liverpoolvs Brentford
Nottingham Forest vsAFC Bournemouth
European Competition Zone: It's a total mess
First, it should be noted that even if Aston Villa drops to 5th in the Premier League and the Premier League gets six Champions League spots, it will not increase the extra European competition spots for the Premier League. In this case, the Premier League will lose one Europa League qualification spot, becoming a 1 Europa League + 1 Europa Conference League structure.
In addition to the sixth-placed AFC Bournemouth we just mentioned, currently seventh-placed Brighton has 53 points and a goal difference of 9, 8th-placed Chelsea has 52 points and a goal difference of 7, 9th-placed Brentford has 52 points and a goal difference of 3, and 10th-placed Sunderland has 51 points and a goal difference of -7. These are the most likely contenders for European competition. Four teams will make a final push for two European competition spots.
However, the three teams currently on 49 points, Newcastle United, Everton, and Fulham, have a 3-point difference from eighth-placed Chelsea, and at least a 7-goal difference in goal difference. Unless extreme circumstances occur, they are basically out of contention for European competition.
Key Matches
Brighton & Hove Albionvs Manchester United
SunderlandvsChelsea
Liverpool vsBrentford
If you are an Arsenal fan...
Of course, if you are an Arsenal fan, congratulations on your team winning the Premier League title again after 22 years. These disputes are no longer relevant to your home team. Crystal Palace will form a guard of honor to salute your home team before the match. After that, you can continue to enjoy the game, or pay attention to the relegation situation of your arch-rival Tottenham Hotspur.
If you are a Manchester City fan...
For Manchester City, the final match will be somewhat melancholic. The team has been confirmed out of the title race, legendary coach Guardiola is about to leave, and Bernardo Silva and Stones are about to depart. This may be the last time you see them fighting for Manchester City, to start anew and conquer old grounds, towards the new paths.
If you are a Manchester United fan...
Bruno Fernandes has been named the Premier League's best player this season. For Manchester United fans, there is still one last chapter of this season's carnival to be written. Bruno Fernandes has already provided 20 assists in the Premier League this season, tying the record held jointly by Henry and De Bruyne. With just one more assist, he will hold the record alone. Today, Manchester United players need to make a final effort for Bruno Fernandes' moment of glory.