There’s still another month to go but the top and bottom of the Premier League table looks set to be decided this weekend. Liverpool are on the verge of winning their 20th English league title on Sunday when they take on Tottenham, and their fate is in their own hands.
The same can’t be said for 18th-placed Ipswich, as the Tractor Boys drive up to St James’ Park to face a Newcastle side hungry for European football. Ipswich fans will have one eye on the other end of the country during Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs; specifically as Brighton welcome West Ham, as Ipswich need results to go their way in order to keep their hopes of a great escape alive.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are control of their own destiny, as the fight to qualify for the Champions League heats up. Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday has slightly opened things up, with only half of the top eight in action this weekend due to the FA Cup semi-finals.
We already know two of the three sides who’ll be relegated, as lowly Leicester joined bottom dwellers Southampton last week in booking a ticket to the second tier. Leeds and Burnley are returning in their place, as they’re left to scrap it out for the title.
So, put your calculators away and read through all of this weekend’s permutations up and down the Premier League.
Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if they avoid defeat against Tottenham. The Reds welcome Spurs to Anfield on Sunday for a 4:30pm kick-off with the champagne on ice.
A draw or win would be enough for Arne Slot’s side to get their hands on title No.20. “Everybody is looking forward to Sunday but there’s still a job to be done which is one point, that’s what we know and, hopefully, our fans know as well,” Slot declared.
Here’s where it gets complicated. At least five English teams are guaranteed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool have already confirmed their place while Arsenal are on the cusp. Nothing will be decided this weekend as three of the five teams battling it out for third, fourth and fifth place are in the FA Cup semi-finals – Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
Chelsea and Newcastle can take another step towards qualification when they host Everton and Ipswich respectively on Saturday. It’ll get a whole lot more exciting during the rest of the run-in.
Chelsea still have to play Newcastle and Forest (both away from home) before the end of the season. We could be set for a grandstand final day at the City Ground if Chelsea and Forest find themselves in a head-to-face battle.
Who’ll qualify for the Champions League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
But it’s not just the Champions League which clubs are battling for. Up to 11 teams could find themselves in Europe next season, so even finishing in the bottom half could be historic.
Depending on who wins this season’s Champions League (Arsenal), Europa League (Manchester United and Tottenham), Conference League (Chelsea) and FA Cup (Man City, Forest, Villa and Palace) as low as 11th place could claim a European spot.
Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton and Brentford are still in with an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Palace are now mathematically out of contention for Europe’s elite competition.
Ipswich will be relegated on Saturday if one of the following scenarios happens: they fail to beat Newcastle or West Ham avoid defeat against Brighton. Kieran McKenna’s side must win all five of their remaining fixtures to even stand a chance of pipping West Ham on goal difference.
Southampton, currently rock bottom of the table with 11 points after 33 games, still have something to play for. The Saints need one more point to avoid matching the worst-ever tally in Premier League history, as Derby County finished on 11 back in 2008.
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