The final weekend of the 2020-21 Premier League season is upon us, with all eyes on the battle for European qualification.
Three into two doesn’t go in the top-four race
Despite sitting third for nearly the whole campaign, Leicester City have dropped out of the top four going into the final day and now must win against Tottenham.
Even with a victory, the Foxes need one of Chelsea or Liverpool to also drop points if they want to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2016.
The Blues are in the driving seat having beaten the fifth-placed side during the week but will need to overcome a confident Aston Villa side this weekend.
Dean Smith’s team are fresh off the back of defeating Spurs 2-1 away from home, so will be full of confidence going into their final game of the season.
For Liverpool, they simply have to win against Crystal Palace if they want to achieve a top-four spot – something which seemed highly unlikely just a few months ago.
It will be Palace – and former Reds – manager Roy Hodgson’s final game as he looks to take a backseat from coaching, and he will be hoping it doesn’t end like the two teams’ last encounter where he was on the wrong end of 7-0 thrashing.
West Ham look to secure Europa League football
In the Europa League picture, West Ham currently sit sixth and are in pole position to claim the one of the last European spots.
The Hammers face Southampton on Sunday and just need to avoid defeat to confirm a top-six finish.
Where it gets interesting is the teams fighting for seventh place.
Following Leicester’s FA Cup win, the team who finishes seventh will also qualify for the Europa League.
Spurs currently occupy that position but would need to beat the Foxes to stay there.
Behind them are Everton, who travel to this season’s champions, Manchester City needing a win and for those above the to drop points.
The same goes for Arsenal, who could miraculously qualify for Europe despite their dreadful campaign if they beat Brighton.
The Seagulls have a good record against the Gunners though, having only lost once in their last six encounters.
It’s also possible for Leeds to reach the top seven, but they would need a big change in goal difference as well as three points over the already relegated West Brom.
The Baggies recently announced that manager Sam Allardyce will leave following the game.
End of an era at Wolves on Sunday
Nuno Espirito Santo has also met the same fate at Wolves, with the club confirming that they have agreed the Portuguese coach will leave following the end of the current campaign.
He will look to go out in style when his side take on second place Manchester United at Molineux Stadium.
Likewise, Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom will be rounding off his dismal time in charge when the Blades host Burnley before dropping out of the topflight.
Elsewhere, Fulham will look to bow out with a win over Newcastle as the Cottagers head back to the Championship for another season in the second tier.
