Fights for Europe, relegation in Premier League final day

After 370 games, seven managerial sackings – including three at Watford – and countless VAR rows, a prolonged Premier League season is coming to an end with plenty still to be resolved.

Some 50 weeks after Liverpool launched the top-flight season in England with a 4-1 win over newly-promoted Norwich at Anfield on August 9, 2019, the final round of games take place today.

The Reds might have got their hands on the Premier League trophy but there is much to be decided with regards to qualification for Europe and relegation.

Then there is the Golden Boot – as well as the Golden Glove – to be won. And which highly decorated midfielder will be waving an emotional farewell to the Premier League?

With supporters unable to attend games because of the coronavirus pandemic, that is not going to happen this season.

But fans of Bournemouth, Watford and Aston Villa are preparing for a nerve-shredding day as their clubs look to avoid joining Norwich in the Championship.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 17, 2020 West Ham United’s Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Watford at The London Stadium, in east London. – West Ham have signed Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek from Slavia Prague on a permanent basis, the Premier League club announced on Friday, July 24. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP)

Villa, who start the day outside of the bottom three on goal difference, visit a West Ham side who are now safe, 18th-placed Watford goes to FA Cup finalists Arsenal, while 19th-placed Bournemouth is at mid-table Everton.

With champions Liverpool and Manchester City have booked their places in next season’s Champions League, Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester United are battling it out for the final two group-stage spots.

United, who are third, will guarantee a top-four finish if they avoid defeat at fifth-placed Leicester. FA Cup finalists Chelsea, who are one point clear of Leicester, just need a point against sixth-placed Wolves to secure a place. Leicester will guarantee a spot in the top four by beating Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Wolves will qualify for the Europa League for a second successive season if they win at Chelsea.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United was six points off the top four after a 2-0 home defeat by Burnley on 22 January.

They go into the final day with an 88 per cent chance of making the Champions League, according to Gracenote, as do Chelsea. Leicester’s chances are rated at 70 per cent.