Less income, less spending, less quality... crashing out of top four is unthinkable for either United or Chelsea

ANYTHING can happen – and I mean ANYTHING – on the final day of the Premier League season.

I know because I was part of a Liverpool team that finished fourth in their last game of the campaign… in a two-horse race.

I wasn’t actually playing. I’d managed to get myself sent off against Everton and so missed the last three games of the season.

But, even so, we went into the final day needing a win at

Sheffield Wednesday to guarantee second and an automatic place in the Champions League.

Somehow, we only drew… even though their keeper Kevin

Pressman was injured, and the sub keeper they brought on, Matt

Clarke, got himself sent off for handling the ball outside his box. Yep, you read that right, we only drew against 10 men with a striker in goal.

It was Andy Booth, for the record. And he saved with his legs in the very last minute, when Steve McManaman was through on goal.

Which is my slightly awkward way of saying, don’t go thinking it will all be straightforward today, with United winning at a canter against Leicester and Chelsea strolling to the victory everyone expects when they face Wolves.

Don’t be thinking it will follow an obvious plan at the bottom, either.

In fact, if you’re looking for a bet, then I’d suggest that all three of the clubs still involved in the relegation fight will LOSE. Which would mean Villa stay up by default.

Back to the top for the minute, though, and Liverpool’s failure in that 1996-97 season to qualify for the Champions League had massive ramifications for the club.

We missed out on millions for not getting there… and it ultimately cost Roy Evans his job.

One game. One final day. And long-term implications. You look now at Chelsea and the money they have committed to spending, when the transfer window opens, suggests they are gambling big on next season.

That’s a huge risk because no one can confidently predict what the hell with happen to football in the next year because of the pandemic. Clubs could lose hundreds of millions if the absence of fans continues.

But splashing out hundreds of millions in times of uncertainty is a massive risk.

Chelsea could soon have some fabulous players, but they might end up slogging around the killing fields of Thursday night Europa League football if they lose to Wolves and United fail to beat Leicester.

Then look at United. If they lose to Leicester and Chelsea avoid defeat, it would mean they would have qualified for the Champions League just twice in seven years.

Think of that. Five of the last seven years without the massive European money the top tier delivers – and demands.

Basically, if you don’t get regular Champions League cash, then you are fighting a losing battle.

Less income, less spending, less quality.

Chelsea are gambling their future on one big result. Spend millions now and, if there’s a second wave of coronavirus, well, they are in trouble.

Lower than that there is plenty at stake. Tottenham could easily lose out on even a Europa League place if results (and the FA Cup final) go against them. They are a billion in debt. And no European income?

I think back to the end of that 1996-97 season and I wonder how costly my red card proved to be. I’d have backed myself to score against Andy Booth with my eyes closed.

Because of that draw, there were big changes at the club, the end of era, with John Barnes leaving. Stan Collymore went too.

I can see the same happening to one of the big clubs who miss out on the European money this time around.

AT the bottom of the table, I’m predicting it will be the same as you were – and for a very good reason. You know that old cliche, the table doesn’t lie. Well, it came about for a reason. You can’t claim to be unlucky over 38 games. No chance. You’re at the bottom because you haven’t won enough games. I can see all three of the teams still fighting against relegation losing their final game – because that’s what they’ve done all season. Which would see Villa survive. With 34 points. It will be fascinating, though, because the final day always throws up something out of the ordinary. For a start, it will depend on what Everton team turns up. If they’ve got their flipflops on, then Bournemouth will win and could be safe if other results go their way. I think I’d like to see Dean Smith (above) and Villa stay up for the simple reason they’ve been entertaining and a good-value story. As a manager, I’d also probably side with Nigel Pearson and hope that Watford’s crass decision to sack him when they were above the relegation zone proves unwise. It’s nonsensical. When he was appointed, they were seven points adrift at the bottom. He was sacked after he got them out of the bottom three. He’s also beaten Liverpool and Manchester United, so knows how to defeat the big clubs. And their final two games were City and Arsenal today. I can’t find myself arguing too much with those who say they hope Watford go down. Unless there’s something we don’t know about, it was stupid and they could pay a massive financial penalty.

Ole and Lamps are sweating on results of today’s games