What will happen on the final day of the 2023/24 Premier League season?
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The Premier League has entered the final weekend of the campaign with the two teams at the top of the table vying for the title with it all hinging on one last game.
It has been another enthralling season and millions of people all around the world will tune in as leaders Manchester City host West Ham and challengers Arsenal face Everton.
At the other end of the table Luton Town are not yet mathematically relegated heading into their final fixture on Sunday but will need a near miracle as they need to beat Fulham, hope Nottingham Forest lose at Burnley all with a 12-goal swing.
Fans and football bettors everywhere will be assessing the odds before making their final selections of the season.
Arsenal vs Everton
Sadly, for the Gunners the title race is out of their hands with Manchester City in top spot but Mikel Arteta and his side at least know that they have to beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium to have a chance of clinching the trophy.
Arsenal have been in stunning form this campaign and will be confident against the Toffees. The two clubs have faced each on the final day in North London five times since the formation of the Premier League and the Gunners have won each time with a number of goals.
Everton though, will be aiming to affect the title race again this season having ultimately ended Liverpool’s hopes of finishing first by defeating their rivals 2-0 in the Merseyside derby last month.
Brentford vs Newcastle
Newcastle still want to mix it with the big boys at the top end of the table and so European qualification is essential as part of that journey.
The Magpies will be eager to get a result to cement their place in the top six with a place in the Europa League or Conference League on offer.
Brentford, meanwhile, have endured their most difficult campaign in the Premier League, playing much of the season without talisman Ivan Toney and so Thomas Frank will be urging his team to give the fans something to shout about.
Brighton vs Manchester United
United have endured another disappointing bordering on disastrous campaign under Erik ten Hag and poor form at the end of the season has allowed Chelsea to catch them up in the battle for European football.
However, whether everything is riding on a game or it’s just pride, winning is the only expectation for a club the size of United and so the fans who travel down to the south coast will be expecting nothing but three points.
Brighton, meanwhile, have had to balance matches on the continent with their domestic schedule and so stuttered somewhat in recent months, falling into mid-table.
Considering where the club was two decades ago, it’s still a fine achievement though some were expecting a greater challenge from Roberto De Zerbi and his men.
Burnley vs Nottingham Forest
Only weeks ago, this game could have been a straight shootout for survival but is now Nottingham Forest’s chance to get over the line and secure Premier League safety after Burnley’s relegation was confirmed with a week of the campaign to go.
A draw will be enough to seal another season of top-flight football for Forest. The visitors here can even afford a defeat against the Clarets, so long as there isn’t a 12-goal swing between themselves and Luton. Highly unlikely but survival won’t be confirmed until the final whistle.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
After a season stuck in mid-table, Chelsea have hit peak form at the perfect time and are now in the hunt for Europe. Thanks in the main to the brilliant displays and goals of Cole Palmer, the Blues and manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to sign off in style and look ahead to a better campaign next time around.
Bournemouth, who have achieved their greatest Premier League points total this season and rewarded coach Andoni Iraola with a contract extension, will be looking for one more big victory to put the icing on the cake of a fine campaign with striker Dominic Solanke among the division’s top scorers.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa head to Crystal Palace as the two teams enjoying really good spells meet at Selhurst Park.
The Villans have qualified for the European Cup, now the Champions League, for the first time in four decades after a sensational season under Unai Emery has seen them finish in the top four while the Eagles are also looking forward having enjoyed some great performances and results since Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson.
Liverpool vs Wolves
From the home side’s point of view, the game will be less about the result and more about thanking Jurgen Klopp for the great teams he has built at Liverpool with the German leaving Anfield after a successful nine years.
Having fallen at the final hurdle in the title race, it is not the dream ending he or supporters had hoped for though Klopp will go down in history as a Reds great and will be given a huge final farewell.
Opponents Wolves will be out to ruin the day though and finish a decent campaign under Gary O’Neil with a win.
Luton vs Fulham
Luton, who are all but down, will have to come flying out the traps and hope, somehow, that some early goals could really rattle Forest into collapsing at Burnley.
Sadly for the Hatters it is their only hope and so a return to the Championship is extremely likely. Fulham will be looking to put in a professional performance after another solid if unspectacular campaign.
Man City vs West Ham
Manchester City’s win at Tottenham saw them take a giant step towards a record-breaking fourth straight title and a victory at home to West Ham will see Erling Haaland and co. lift the trophy.
Having won 3-1 the last time the sides met, City will be hoping for an exact repeat. The Hammers have sealed a top ten finish regardless and will be thankful their season is tied up before facing the might of Guardiola’s side.
Sheffield United vs Tottenham
There will be no final-day party atmosphere at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United host Tottenham.
While the Blades’ relegation was confirmed weeks ago with the team only managing to pick up 16 points all season, Spurs have endured a woeful end to the campaign, missing out on Champions League qualification after losing to City on Tuesday evening.
It’s fair to say both clubs will be eager to put this one behind them and look forward to the next campaign.