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Everything is still to play for as a scintillating Premier League season reaches its climax. Here's how things could play out.https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/everything-is-still-to-play-for-as-a-scintillating-premier-league-season-reaches-its-climax-hereaposs-how-things-could-play-out-/slidelist/91597750.cms2022-05-16T17:30:53+05:30

Everything is still to play for as a scintillating Premier League season reaches its climax. Here's how things could play out.

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Barnaby LaneMay 16, 2022, 17:30 IST

Everything is still to play for as a scintillating Premier League season reaches its climax. Here's how things could play out. — Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola.Getty/Laurence Griffith
The English Premier League is heading into its final weekend of the season.
The title is still up for grabs and one team is also yet to be relegated.
The English Premier League is heading into its final weekend of the season.
On Sunday, all 20 of the division's teams will kick-off at the same time to bring to an end what has been a campaign full of thrills, spills, and upsets.
And with the destination of the title still not decided, European places still up for grabs, and one team still to be relegated, the day promises to be full of excitement.
Here's how things could play out.

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The title race goes to the last day

The title race goes to the last day — Mo Salah.Getty/Simon Stacpoole
Manchester City and Liverpool have been going toe-to-toe all season and heading into the final weekend, either team could still win the title.
City leads the way by four points and play Aston Villa at its home stadium, the Etihad, in its final game, where a win will see it clinch the league.
However, anything less than a win, and the door is open for Liverpool to overtake Pep Guardiola's side.
The Reds have two games remaining, first taking on Southampton on Tuesday before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Though victories for Jurgen Klopp's team are certainly not guaranteed, Liverpool's recent form — eight wins in its last nine games including an FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea — suggest it can get the job done, meaning the pressure is on City to win.
Adding to the drama is the fact that Villa is managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
The iconic midfielder never won a Premier League title during his 17 seasons at Anfield, but if his Villa side can stop City winning Sunday, he could effectively hand his former team the title.

Champions League

Champions League — Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.Getty/Michael Steele
With Manchester City and Liverpool already securing Champions League places next season, three teams – Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal – remain in the race for the league's last two automatic qualification places.
Chelsea are in pole position, sitting third in the table with two games to play — first at home to Leicester City and then away to already relegated Watford. Get just one point from those two games and Thomas Tuchel's side will be guaranteed a spot in European soccer's premier competition next term.
Working on the assumption Chelsea will qualify, Arsenal can secure the other place by winning its final two matches against Newcastle United and Everton. Both promise to be tough games, however, and anything less than two wins and the situation changes.
Should Arsenal fail to beat both Newcastle and Everton, Spurs can clinch the final Champions League place by beating league whipping boys Norwich City on Sunday.

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Europa League and Conference League

Europa League and Conference League — Ronaldo playing in the Europa Conference League next season is an interesting proposition.Getty/Simon Stacpoole
Here is where things get complicated.
Under normal circumstances, the team which finishes fifth in the Premier League claim a spot in next season's Europa League, as does the winner of the FA Cup, while whichever team wins the Carabao Cup is awarded a place in the Europa Conference League.
But with Liverpool guaranteed Champions League football next year and having already won both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, its places in the Europa League and the Europa Conference League will be handed down to the sixth and seventh placed finishers in the Premier League.
One of Chelsea, Spurs, or Arsenal will claim fifth spot and one of the two Europa League spots, but the other is still up for grabs.
Sixth placed Manchester United can secure that spot by winning against Crystal Palace on Sunday, but fail to do so, and West Ham United can steal the place and demote United to the Conference League with a win over Brighton.

Relegation

Relegation — Leeds look the most likely to be relegated with Norwich and Watford.Getty/Laurence Griffiths
A bit like the battle for Europe, the fight to stay in the Premier League next season is complex heading into Sunday.
Norwich and Watford have both already been relegated, meaning only one other team can go down.
17th placed Leeds United look the most likely. If Jesse March's side fails to beat Brentford in its last game, 18th placed Burnley will need just one point from two remaining games to secure safety and demote Leeds.
If Leeds win, 16th placed Everton can secure safety by winning just one of its two games or drawing both, but Burnley would then have to win both of its remaining games to stay up.
It really is all to play for.

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