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What is still to be decided on the final day of the Premier League season?

:Headline: What is still to be decided on the final day of the Premier League season?:
Sports Mole takes a look at what is still to be decided on the final day of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Sports Mole

A spectacular season of Premier League football will draw to a close at around 6pm on Sunday evening, but numerous teams still have a lot left to fight for on matchday 38.

COVID-19 reared its ugly head once more, but there was plenty to cheer all across the country during a season full of twists and turns, and players cannot rest on their laurels just yet.

Some sides have already achieved their aims for the season, some have been condemned to a disappointing fate, and others retain hope of a final-day miracle.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at what is still to be decided on the final day of the 2021-22 Premier League season.


TITLE RACE

The formula for Manchester City last weekend was simple. Beat West Ham United and they would head into the final day of the season holding a three-point buffer over Liverpool, as well as potentially clinching the title early.

Being held to a 2-2 draw by the Hammers saw their hopes of glory transfer onto Southampton's shoulders, but Jurgen Klopp's men came back from behind to overcome the Saints 2-1 and ensure that the race for the crown would come right down to the final 90 minutes.

Liverpool can only focus on their task at hand against Wolverhampton Wanderers as they sit just one point behind the reigning champions in the table, while Man City welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium.

Victory for Pep Guardiola's men will render Liverpool's result inconsequential, but anything else will open the door for the Reds to storm to the top with a win over Wolves, as a draw will surely not be enough given their goal difference of +66 compared to the Citizens' +72.

The stars have certainly aligned for Steven Gerrard, who leads his Villa side out onto the Etihad turf with the goal of helping former club Liverpool seal a second Premier League title, and such a set of circumstances would only increase his legendary standing with the club.


TOP-FOUR HOPEFULS

At one stage, no fewer than five teams were involved in the battle for fourth spot, but Wolves soon drifted away while West Ham's Europa League commitments damaged their domestic fortunes.

Manchester United's wafer-thin Champions League hopes were dashed by Brighton & Hove Albion in a day that no Red Devils fan needs to be reminded of, and then there were two.

There was a time when Arsenal supporters could not begin to envisage Tottenham Hotspur finishing above them in the table, but that scenario has happened more often than not in recent years, and chances are it will happen again this season.

Fourth spot was still out of Spurs' hands after their 3-0 North London derby win, but their victory over Burnley and Arsenal's humiliating loss to Newcastle United sees the Lilywhites sit two clear of the Gunners in fourth.

With Spurs also possessing a goal difference of +24 compared to Arsenal's measly +9, Antonio Conte's side realistically need just a point against basement side Norwich City at Carrow Road to confirm their place in the Champions League.

Arsenal will be thankful that Everton have already secured their survival ahead of their final-day Emirates clash - where nothing less than a win and a Canaries miracle will do for them - and Tottenham fans are not counting their chickens just yet.


SIXES AND SEVENS

Incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not be leading the Red Devils into the Champions League next term, and Sunday's game with Crystal Palace could determine what tier of European football the 20-time English champions find themselves.

The ex-Ajax coach will reportedly be in the stands to watch sixth-placed United take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and the Manchester club currently hold a two-point lead over West Ham in sixth, which would give them the consolation prize of Europa League football.

Three points for Man United will guarantee their spot in the top six, but should Palace prevail in front of their own supporters, West Ham could condemn the Red Devils to Europa Conference League football while they surge into the secondary competition with a positive result away to Brighton.

Furthermore, a draw for Man United and victory for West Ham would work heavily in the Hammers' favour, with the Red Devils' goal difference standing at +1 while David Moyes's side have fared far better in that regard with +11.


RELEGATION DOGFIGHT

Scenes of jubilation at Goodison Park were marred by Vieira's confrontation with an Everton supporter following a pitch invasion - sparking even more controversy surrounding stadium security - but Frank Lampard was firmly behind the well-behaved fans revelling in the moment.

Coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 in Thursday's enthralling affair ensured that Everton would retain their top-flight status for the 2022-23 season, leaving two sides scrapping for survival at the bottom.

Burnley did at least manage to glean a point at Villa Park, although Wout Weghorst will still be reliving his dreadful miss from three yards out (taking nothing away from Tyrone Mings's sensational block), and that point has lifted Mike Jackson's men above Leeds United on goal difference.

The Clarets face a far from simple task against Newcastle at Turf Moor, but should they match or better Leeds' result away to Brentford, Burnley's Premier League stint will continue for another 12 months - barring a phenomenal swing in goal difference.

Jesse Marsch has Leeds in with a fighting chance of avoiding the drop but has not been able to consistently weave his magic, as both sets of fans prepare for a sickening wait to see who will join Norwich and Watford back down in the Championship.


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Read more about Steven Gerrard Antonio Conte Pep Guardiola Jurgen Klopp Erik ten Hag Patrick Vieira David Moyes Frank Lampard Wout Weghorst Tyrone Mings Mike Jackson Jesse Marsch Football
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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
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