Key events
And the rest …
Nine out of the 10 games today have something (in theory at least) riding on them, leaving Crystal Palace v Aston Villa as the official deadest rubber, where all that is at stake is Palace’s finishing position – it could be as high as 10th or as low as 14th. Selhurst might be one of the happiest grounds on the final day – those are two sets of fans feeling pretty good with the world at the moment.
Full final-day fixtures
Arsenal v Everton
Brentford v Newcastle
Brighton v Man Utd
Burnley v Nottm Forest
C Palace v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Liverpool v Wolves
Luton v Fulham
Man City v West Ham
Sheff Utd v Spurs
The European race
Tottenham, Newcastle, Manchester United and Chelsea are vying for spots in the Europa and Europa Conference League.
It’s all a bit complicated and compounded by Manchester United’s Wembley date with City in the FA Cup final next weekend. But in short (ish) Spurs need a point at Sheffield United to seal fifth and a Europa League spot. If the Blades spring a big surprise at Bramall Lane, Chelsea can pip them with a win at Stamford Bridge against Bournemouth.
But if the Cherries win in west London then Newcastle can nab sixth with a win down the road at Brentford. Sixth will mean the Europa League if Manchester City win the FA Cup and the Conference League if United are victorious at Wembley.
If Newcastle fail to win, Manchester United can go past them into seventh if they better Newcastle’s result away at Brighton, guaranteeing Erik ten Hag’s side European football next season.
Still following? Good. Now if I tug the bill of my cap like so it means the signal is a fake. However, I can take that off by dusting my hands thusly. And if I want you to bunt, I’ll touch my belt buckle not once, not twice, but thrice …
Preamble
Stop all the clocks. Cut off the telephone. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy overpriced half-time sausage roll. It’s time for Anfield to say goodbye to Jürgen Klopp. Had a few results gone differently down the stretch – Palace (h) and Everton (a) in particular – this big send-off could well have been part of the final-day title mixup. Instead, Liverpool can concentrate on paying homage to the man who brought back the glory days. Gary O’Neil’s Wolves have the chance to play party poopers.
Elsewhere Nottingham Forest need a point against Burnley to be absolutely sure of survival, though in reality it would take a Forest defeat coupled with a Luton win at Fulham and a gigantic goal difference swing, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s team 12 goals better off. And having scored more. So Burnley 6-0 Forest, Luton 7-0 Fulham would make things interesting but otherwise less so …
And of course we’ll be keeping a close eye on events at Manchester City and Arsenal. Though if you want to keep up with exactly what’s happening in those two fixtures you can follow them live with Rob Smyth and Scott Murray.
