Premier League permutations: What Arsenal must do to win the title instead of Man City, who are ready for European football and relegation battle as the final day of the season approaches
One of the closest title races the Premier League has ever seen will come to an end this Sunday, May 19.
Manchester City’s victory at Tottenham on Tuesday means Pep Guardiola and Co are on course to win their fourth consecutive league title, knowing that a victory on Sunday will once again guarantee the trophy.
Guardiola’s side meet West Ham at the Etihad, while their title rivals take on Everton.
Arsenal will be hiding in the shadows, praying and hoping they can win at the Emirates and capitalize on a City mistake.
This is only the 10th time in the history of the league that the title will be decided on the last day. However, that’s not the only thing teams will be playing for next Sunday as places for European football are up for grabs, as well as the final relegation position.
Here’s everything you need to know about the title race, European places and the relegation battle.
Man City only needs a victory this Sunday against West Ham to clinch their fourth consecutive league title.
Arsenal are not out of the race though, as a win for them and a defeat or draw for City could see them lift the trophy.
City added to their quest for a fourth successive game after their 2-0 victory over Spurs on Tuesday.
What do Manchester City need to win the title?
Pep Guardiola’s men only needed to beat West Ham at the Etihad on Sunday for the Manchester side to become the first team in English football history to win four consecutive top-flight titles.
They will also win the title if Arsenal fail to record a victory against Everton at the Etihad, whether they win, lose or draw.
Erling Haaland (left) scored twice to put City in control on the final day of the season
What do Arsenal need to win the championship?
Unlike their title rivals, the Gunners’ fate is not in their hands.
Although Arteta’s men will need to get the job done on Sunday and beat Everton, they also need City to lose to West Ham to make the title theirs.
Anything other than an Arsenal victory would see them hand the title to Manchester City.
Unless…
Arsenal could still win their first titles in 20 years, but it’s out of their hands
Mikel Arteta’s men could lift the trophy if City lose or draw against West Ham and Arsenal beat Everton
Could the title be decided on goal difference?
Yes, this year’s exciting title race could be so decided that goal difference could come into play.
For this scenario to play out, Arsenal would need to win against Everton, with City only managing a draw in their match against West Ham.
This year’s champions could be decided by goal difference if Arsenal win and City draw on the final day of the season.
Who has the best goal difference?
Heading into the final game of the season, Arsenal’s goal difference is currently only one better than City’s.
Has the Premier League title already been decided on goal difference?
Yes, the 2011/12 Premier League title was decided on goal difference as Manchester’s rivals City and United battled it out to claim the crown.
In case you forgot the result, let me remind you – Aguerooooo.
The last time the league was decided on goal difference was in the 2011-12 season.
Who can still claim a European place?
Although Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all cemented their Champions League places for next year, places in next year’s Europa League and Conference League are still up for grabs.
Although Spurs squandered their chances of playing Champions League football next year after their 2-0 defeat to City.
The Lilywhites can still secure a top-five finish before Sunday if Newcastle and Chelsea both lose their midweek matches on Wednesday, May 15.
However, if both teams manage to win their respective matches on Wednesday, the race for Europe will continue until the final day.
A team to remember: Manchester United can also qualify for the Europa League even if they manage to finish eighth, as they can enter the competition by winning the FA Cup.
However, it will not be an easy task since Ten Hag’s men will find themselves facing Manchester City. If the Red Devils lose the final, the Europa League place will be allocated to seventh position.
Tottenham look most likely to finish 5th despite losing 2-0 to Man City
Newcastle are also on course to finish in European position on Sunday
Pochettino’s Chelsea are also in the final day race to secure European football
Manchester United can qualify for Europe if they win their FA Cup final against City
Who will qualify for Europe as it is?
If Manchester United wins the FA Cup final, the English teams in Europe will look like this:
- Champions League: (1st) Man City, (2nd) Arsenal, (3rd) Liverpool, (4th) Aston Villa
- Europa League: (5th) Tottenham, Man Utd (FA Cup winners)
- UEFA Conference League: (6th) Newcastle
If Manchester United loses the FA Cup final, the English teams playing in Europe next year will be:
- Champions League: (1st) Man City, (2nd) Arsenal, (3rd) Liverpool, (4th) Aston Villa
- Europa League: (5th) Tottenham, (6th) Newcastle
- UEFA Conference League: (7th)Chelsea
Who will be relegated?
Two of the three teams who will qualify for the Championship next season have already been confirmed.
Luton appear to be the third and final team to be relegated this season.
Burnley and Sheffield United have already been relegated and a win on Sunday would make no difference
Sheffield United and Burnley will play second-tier football next season regardless of their result on Sunday.
The third and final relegation team looks like Luton Town as the Kenilworth Road side are expected to win their final game against Fulham and hope a miracle can occur which sees Burnley beat Nottingham Forest 12-0 to overturn a 12-point difference goals.
