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With most of the Premier League issues now settled, the final day of season 2017/18 on Sunday could be a relatively quiet one. There are still loose ends to be tied up and here is what is happening in the key games:
Liverpool and Chelsea battle it out for fourth spot
One of the final issues yet to be sorted in the top-flight is the fourth and final Champions League spot. Liverpool have been in top-four for the majority of the season. However, a downturn in recent form, one win in their last five league games has seen fifth-place Chelsea move to within two points of the Reds on the final day.
The situation is quite simple for the Merseysiders, as a home draw against Brighton will be enough to seal the final Champions League spot. Jurgen Klopp side are favourites to clinch the last spot in Europe’s elite competition.
Chelsea heads into this game on the back of a frustrating 1-1 home draw against Huddersfield last time out. The draw ended a winning run of four matches in the league for Antonio Conte’s men. The result also means that the Blues have to win at Newcastle on Sunday afternoon to stand any chance of fourth spot.
Tottenham can seal third spot with a home win over Leicester in their final Premier League game at Wembley Stadium. If Spurs fail to win and Liverpool record a victory then the Reds clinch the third automatic Champions League spot.
Swansea all-but relegated
Although 18th-place Swansea City and 17th place Southampton are on level points heading into the last day, the Saints have a superior goal difference of nine, which looks highly unlikely to be overturned on the last day.
Swansea have what looks like a highly winnable game at home to relegated Stoke City. However, the Swans have failed to record a single win in their last eight top-flight matches, while suffering defeats in their last four league outings. The Welsh side’s struggles this season have mainly been down to a lack of firepower, as Carlos Carvalhal’s team have scored just 27 league goals, the fewest of any top-flight team.
Southampton meanwhile hosts champions Manchester City at St Marys, as Pep Guardiola’s side look to reach the 100-point mark in the top-flight. Due to the Saints massive superior goal difference, they should be pretty relaxed heading into the final day, as Mark Hughes looks to have saved them from the drop. A recent four-match unbeaten run in the top-flight has been a big factor in the team’s likely survival.
Au Revoir Arsene Wenger
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will manage the Gunners for the last time on Sunday at Huddersfield’s John Smiths Stadium.
The home side has secured their top-flight lives, despite scoring just 28 league goals this season in the top-flight. A run of just one victory in their last nine league outings has made things nervous for the Terriers in recent weeks. However, fantastic draws at Manchester City and Chelsea in their last two outings have helped secured their top-flight position.
The Gunners head into this game without an away victory or point in 2018 after losing seven straight matches on their travels in the English top-flight. The visitors poor run of form has contributed to the team from north London once again missing out on the Champions League for a second straight season.
Who will seal the fourth Champions League spot?
