The Post

Leicester, Utd set up showdown

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The race to secure the final two Champions League qualificat­ion spots from the English Premier League is going to the last day of the season.

And two of the three teams still in contention will be going head-to-head.

Leicester and Manchester United both won yesterday to ensure their meeting in the final round of matches on July 26 will have plenty riding on it – notably tens of millions of dollars in potential Champions League prize money next season.

Leicester’s 2-0 home victory over Sheffield United was followed hours later by a 2-0 win for United at Crystal Palace.

It left the two teams tied on points with two games remaining, with fourth-placed Leicester only ahead by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Before their final-day showdown at the King Power Stadium, Leicester play away to Tottenham on Sunday (Monday, NZT) and United host West Ham on Thursday.

If Leicester and United both win those games, they realistica­lly could find themselves in third and fourth place, respective­ly, because Chelsea – currently one point ahead of them in third place – are away to champions Liverpool in their next-to-last game on Thursday.

Aston Villa’s hopes of staying up received a big blow when they conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 at Everton.

Theo Walcott scored in the 87th minute for Everton to keep Villa in next-to-last place, tied on points with 18th-placed Bournemout­h.

Southampto­n and Brighton drew 1-1 in the other match. That result means Brighton are almost sure of another season in the Premier League.

Danny Ings scored his 20th goal in the league to earn Southampto­n a point but Brighton, who went ahead though Neal Maupay, were celebratin­g at the final whistle.

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