The Premier League is drawing towards its conclusion – and we could still get drama at the top and the bottom of the table.
There are now just nine days left in the season until all 20 clubs have completed their 38 matches. After 760 games, the 2023/24 campaign will be done by around 6pm on Sunday, May 19, condemning three teams to relegation, sparking celebrations for many others and the trophy lift for just one.
But none of the clubs will be getting ahead of themselves, with two or three fixtures left to focus on winning. While there are some in the comfort of mid-table with little left to fight for, barring increased prize money that comes with higher positions, there is a scrap brewing at either end.
Will Manchester City or Arsenal win the title? Will Luton or Burnley reel in Nottingham Forest to produce a miraculous escape from the drop? Could Tottenham still pip Aston Villa to fourth? And where are the remaining European places going? Here we take a look at the permutations for this weekend.
DON'T SCRAP REPLAYS!
Premier League odds and betting tips
Can the title be decided this weekend?
No. That is the short answer, but we might not have to wait much longer. Tuesday is the earliest that the Premier League title race could be over – and the defending champions are huge favourites to secure a sixth title in seven seasons.
City may sit second, one point behind Arsenal, at the moment, but it is in their hands because they have a game in hand on their rivals. They will go ahead of the Gunners if they win against Fulham at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Pep Guardiola is hoping to lift the Premier League trophy again (Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! What are your predictions for the final few weeks of the Premier League season? Comment below.
If Arsenal fail to win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, that will allow City to clinch the title at Tottenham on Tuesday night. If Arsenal do beat United then City cannot win it until the final day, when they face West Ham at home.
It should be noted that Liverpool aren’t technically out of the running, despite winning just one of their last five matches, but they do need a near impossible run of results. They need to win their two games against Aston Villa and Wolves and hope that Arsenal lose twice and that City claim only a solitary point from their three matches.
Can the top four be decided this weekend?
Yes. Tottenham have lost four matches in a row, allowing Aston Villa to open up a seven-point gap between themselves in fourth and Spurs in fifth. Unai Emery ’s side don’t play until Monday night, when they host Liverpool, but would seal fourth place if Spurs’ losing streak continues at home to relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday.
Even if they do beat Burnley, Spurs are unlikely to reel their rivals in because they will still be four points behind with two left to play each.
Tottenham have lost four Premier League games in a row (Getty Images)Which clubs can seal a European place this weekend?
Whichever club finishes in fifth place is guaranteed a spot in next season’s Europa League. As mentioned above, that is currently Spurs and they are four points ahead of Newcastle in sixth. As things stand, Newcastle would get a place in the Conference League because the Carabao Cup winners were Liverpool, who have already booked their place in the Champions League.
It isn’t as simple as that, though, because of the FA Cup. If Manchester City beat United in the FA Cup final on May 25, the Europa League place they win would be passed down to sixth place in the Premier League, as they are already in the Champions League next season. That in turn would see the Europa Conference League spot drop down to seventh place, which is currently occupied by Chelsea, who are ahead of United on goal difference.
The race for European places will go until the final weekend of the season, but Spurs could secure some form of European football next season by winning this weekend, with other results also going their way.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Can the relegation battle be decided this weekend?
Yes. Nottingham Forest are in a strong position, while both Luton and Burnley are only clinging on by their fingernails to survival. Forest have 29 points to Luton’s 26 and Burnley’s 24 and they also have by far the best goal difference of the group – it is 11 better than the Hatters’ and 17 superior to the Clarets’.
Simply put, if Forest beat Chelsea on Saturday then the race is all but run. That result would condemn Burnley to join Sheffield United in the Championship, while basically assuring Luton of the same fate, even if they’ve beaten West Ham in the hours beforehand due to their goal difference.
Forest need four points from their two games against Chelsea and Burnley to absolutely guarantee survival. If Luton lose at West Ham and Burnley fail to beat Tottenham in Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs, then Forest will know a draw against Chelsea in their 5.30pm kick-off will secure their status in the top flight.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
