What can still be decided in the Premier League on the final day?
Written by News on 10/05/2019
So, 37 games down, one to go. The curtain comes down on an extraordinary season on Sunday, but what is still to be decided?
The title race…..
Champions Manchester City will start the day a point ahead of Liverpool following their nervy win over Leicester on Monday Night Football.
City face Brighton at the Amex Stadium with the Seagulls already assured of their Premier League safety, while Liverpool host Wolves. Both games will kick off at 3pm and are exclusively live on Sky Sports.
City know a win will make them champions but any-slip up and a Liverpool win at Anfield would take the title to the red half of Merseyside.
There is still a very slim chance of the two teams finishing on the same points, goal difference and goals scored, which would mean a play-off to decide the destination of the title.
Liverpool would need to draw 4-4 with Wolves and Brighton need to beat City 4-0. It would be a fitting end.
Race for fourth….
Arsenal’s draw with Brighton on Super Sunday secured Chelsea’s place in the top four and it will take a minor miracle to stop Tottenham grabbing the other spot.
Fifth-placed Arsenal need to beat Burnley and hope Tottenham lose at home to Everton, with a eight-goal swing in the favour of the Gunners.
Manchester United’s hopes of the top four ended at Huddersfield.
Finishing third or fourth doesn’t make a difference in terms of qualification for the Champions League as all English teams go straight into the group stages and don’t need to play in the final qualifying section.
Fifth vs sixth….
One of the key angles this weekend will centre around Arsenal and Manchester United as they battle to avoid finishing sixth. The team that finishes sixth could have to undertake a very early start to next season through the Europa League qualification process, which begins on July 25.
Arsenal can finish sixth and avoid the early start, as long as they win the Europa League, therefore booking their place in the Champions League.
If either United or Arsenal do finish sixth, then Manchester City can save the sixth-placed side from an early start by beating Watford in the FA Cup final. That would then mean Wolves – who are guaranteed to finish seventh – will qualify for the Europa League and start their season on July 25.
Where can every team finish?
There are only four teams 100 per cent sure of their final position and three of those are the three relegated teams, Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield. Leicester’s failure to beat Manchester City on Monday means that Wolves are certain to finish in seventh. That position will mean qualification for the Europa League if Manchester City beat Watford in the FA Cup final on May 18.
The final round of fixtures gives clubs one more game to potentially improve their finishing position, which can be important in terms of the finances involved. Prize money is awarded per league position, with each side earning around £2million for every place they finish above bottom.
As you can see from the table below, West Ham could finish as low as 12th but as high as ninth, which equates to an £8m difference in their prize money.
Final day live on Sky…
Final day live on Sky…Premier League – Brighton vs Manchester City : Live on Sky Sports Main Event from 2.30pm. Kick-off is 3pm.
Premier League – Liverpool vs Wolves : Live on Sky Sports Premier League from 2pm. Kick-off is 3pm.
(c) Sky News 2019: What can still be decided in the Premier League on the final day?
