The race for the Premier League title is done and dusted after Man City won their third trophy in four seasons.
Even the relegation battle is over with Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United all going down.
Photo via Premier League
But there is still plenty to play for heading into the final day of the season this Sunday (May 23rd).
The Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Conference League places are all at stake, with seven clubs all in the running for these European spots.
So ahead of ‘Super Sunday’ kicking off this weekend, lets take a look at which teams are in contention for which tournaments…and what they need to do to get there.
Champions League
Photo via Reuters
The Premiership’s top four teams qualify for Europe’s premier club competition. Currently, only Man City (champions) and Man United (runners-up) are guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.
Third and fourth place is currently a battle between Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester…with only one point separating the three clubs.
Europa League
Photo via Eurosport
The EPL’s fifth-placed team and the FA Cup winners will qualify for Europe’s second-tier tournament.
This means Leicester, who won the FA Cup and can finish no lower than fifth in the league this season, are already guaranteed a Europa League place (provided they don’t finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League instead)
Because of this, England’s second Europa League slot will now go to the next-highest ranked side – which is currently West Ham (6th).
Conference League
This is UEFA’s new third-tier tournament, that aims to give more clubs the chance to play in Europe.
Photo via UEFA
England gets one spot – reserved for whoever wins the League Cup.
But since this season’s League Cup winner is Man City (who are already in the Champions League)…their place will go to the next-highest ranked side that that has not qualified for a UEFA competition. In the case of this season – this will be whoever finishes seventh in the EPL.
Depending on what happens on the final day, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton and even Arsenal could find themselves in contention for a spot in the Conference League.
Key fixtures in the race to Europe
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
It is simple for the Blues…beat Villa, and they are guaranteed third place.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
A win for the Reds will ensure they finish within the top four. Anything else (depending on the other results) and the former European champions will play in next season’s Europa League.
Leicester City vs Tottenham
To finish in the top four, the Foxes need to beat Spurs and hope that Liverpool or Chelsea fail to win.
As for Tottenham, they need to win and hope that West Ham lose in order to make it into the Europa League.
Spurs will also sneak into the Conference League if other results go their way, and they stay in seventh.
West Ham vs Southampton
This one is also a little more clear cut compared to the other matches. The Hammers need to avoid defeat to remain in sixth and earn a place in the Europa League.
Man City vs Everton
The Toffees still have a mathematical chance of making the Europa League, but it will not be easy. The need to beat City… and hope that West Ham lose and Tottenham fail to win. Even then, it could come down to goal difference to determine the final places.
Arsenal vs Brighton
The Conference League offers hope for the Gunners to avoid a first season without European football in 25 years.
In order to do that, they must beat Brighton and hope that Tottenham and Everton don’t win their matches.
All matches will kick off simultaneously at 11pm this Sunday. You can catch the action LIVE across Astro’s sports channels.
By: Nicholas Darren John
