The 2023/24 English Premier League comes to a close on Sunday when all 20 teams compete in the 38th and final game of the season at 4pm. While for many sides the final game means little in terms of their standings, for others it could determine whether the entire ten-month campaign was a success or failure. This is due to many positions yet to be decided, with one relegation spot, places in European football, and, most importantly, the league title all still to be played for.
In this article, we will look at these positions and what still needs to be decided on the final day:
Relegation
Sheffield United and Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League has already been confirmed heading into the last game, but the third place in the drop zone is yet to be determined. Luton Town currently occupy 18th place, but just three points separate them from Nottingham Forest in 17th, meaning a victory for Luton and a loss for Forest could see the Hatters remain in the division.
Forest hold a major advantage in the battle for safety due to their higher goal difference of -19 compared to Luton’s -31, leaving Luton not only needing to make up three points but also requiring a 12-goal swing to stay in the top flight. This certainly leaves Luton as the favorites to go down. With them playing Fulham and Nottingham Forest facing already-relegated Burnley, we believe Luton will be the third and final side to drop out of the division.
European Places
Three teams are still in the race for European football next season: Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Chelsea. Manchester United are at a major disadvantage due to their -3 goal difference, while Newcastle have 21 and Chelsea 13, making it most realistic for Man United to finish in the top seven by bettering their results.
Man United play Brighton on the final day, a side they have failed to beat in their last four league meetings. Newcastle face Brentford and Chelsea play Bournemouth. Chelsea may still be in the fight for European football, but they could also move into fifth on the final day if they win their game and Tottenham lose, as they trail Spurs by just three points.
However, with Spurs playing bottom-placed Sheffield United, we cannot see this happening. Newcastle have crumbled under pressure in the past, and we believe this may happen again with a defeat to Brentford, especially given their poor away record this season. We also believe Man United will be victorious over Brighton, leading us to think that Manchester United will finish the season in the top seven and qualify for European football.
Premier League Title
Finally, and most importantly, the Premier League title is still up for grabs on the final day of this campaign. Liverpool have fallen away from the title race with a string of poor results in recent weeks, but Manchester City and Arsenal have pushed each other to the very last day, with either team still able to end the season as champions.
City currently sit in first place and lead Arsenal by two points, but with Arsenal holding a superior goal difference, a victory for Pep Guardiola’s side is needed to ensure they claim their history-making fourth successive Premier League trophy.
Arsenal must win their final game against Everton to have any chance of lifting the trophy, while City would also be required to drop points for this to happen. We can see this one going down to the final minutes of the respective games, but we believe that Man City will eventually triumph and lift yet another Premier League title.
Bet on the most markets in Nigeria for the EPL final day at Bet9ja!
1 Comment
by Alexsilver
EPL ain’t for Arsenal, not this yr at least