Who will seal a top-four slot in last-day shootout?
Today’s final fixtures
Aston Villa v CHELSEA LIVERPOOL v Crystal Palace
LEICESTER CITY v Tottenham What do each team need? CHELSEA
Beat Aston Villa and Chelsea are guaranteed to finish in the top four. A draw would also be enough as long as Liverpool and Leicester don’t both win.
Even a defeat for Chelsea could still see them make it as long as either Liverpool or Leicester lose. If Liverpool win and Leicester draw, or they both draw, it’s down to goal difference and will depend on the scoreline at Villa Park. If Liverpool draw and Leicester win, Chelsea drop out with a defeat.
If all else fails and Chelsea win the Champions League final, they qualify for next year’s tournament.
LIVERPOOL
As long as Liverpool match or better Leicester’s result then Jurgen Klopp’s side should secure their place in the top four, a prospect that looked in tatters a few weeks ago.
If both teams win, Leicester would need to batter Spurs to overturn Liverpool’s goal-difference advantage of plus four. A draw will also suffice if Leicester fail to win or Chelsea lose.
LEICESTER CITY
Leicester missed out on the top four last season on the final day. After spending longer in the Champions League places this season than any other team, it could be deja vu for Brendan Rodgers.
A win at the King Power Stadium will be enough if Liverpool or Chelsea fail to win. If the Reds win, the Foxes would need to overturn Liverpool’s goal difference, which is unlikely. A draw will only be enough if Liverpool lose or Chelsea lose by three or more. Leicester can lose and qualify but it would need Liverpool to lose so heavily to Crystal Palace that their goal difference becomes worse than Leicester’s. Again, unlikely.
Who makes the Europa
League and Europa Conference?
Leicester’s top-five finish means their Europa League place for winning the FA Cup will go to a team lower in the table. Fifth and sixth will qualify for the Europa League.
West Ham need a point to secure sixth, though Everton — albeit with a massive goal swing — and Spurs can still make it.
Seventh place will qualify for the new Europa Conference League. The Carabao Cup winners should have earned that honour but, as Manchester City have already qualified for the Champions League, it will go to seventh place.
Tottenham hold that spot as it stands but either they, West Ham, Everton or Arsenal could still end up there.