Premier League permutations: Battles for survival and Europe going into the final week of the season

The Premier League title was won by Manchester City last weekend after Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but there is still plenty to decide heading into the final weekend of the season.

Leicester City had a big chance to climb out of the relegation zone after their 0-0 draw against Newcastle last night. It means Dean Smith’s side will be involved in a relegation scandal with Everton and Leeds on the final day of the season.

After last night’s draw against the Foxes, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle secured a place in the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 season.

The last place in the Champions League could be taken on Thursday, if Manchester United takes at least a point against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. Meanwhile, the spots for the Europa League and the Europa Conference League are still up for grabs.

Before the last midweek games of the season before this weekend’s finale, Mail Sport walks you through all the permutations.

COMPETE FOR THE TOP FOUR

Manchester United against Liverpool

After Newcastle’s draw against Leicester last night, Eddie Howe’s side secured a place in the Champions League next season.

Now Liverpool hopes that Manchester United will lose both of their remaining two games. Jurgen Klopp’s side have it all going on after their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend.

The Red Devils currently have one game against Liverpool. Erik ten Hag’s team will meet Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday.

If Ten Hag’s team takes a point on Thursday evening, then Liverpool’s top-four dreams will come to an end.

If United fail to beat Chelsea, the final place in the Champions League will be decided on Sunday.

Ten Hag’s men face Fulham at Old Trafford, while Liverpool face already relegated Southampton.

If United lose their next two games, Klopp’s side will need just three points to sneak into the top four in the final game of the season.

Remaining games

Thursday, May 25

Manchester United against Chelsea

Sunday May 28

Manchester United against Fulham

Southampton v Liverpool

BATTLE FOR THE EUROPE LEAGUE

Brighton v Aston Villa

Not much of a fight as Aston Villa’s chances of finishing in the top six look even worse than Liverpool’s hopes of getting out of the Europa League.

But Aston Villa could theoretically overtake Brighton in sixth if they beat the Seagulls on Sunday.

However, Brighton still have a game in hand and could finish sixth by a point against Man City on Wednesday.

Brighton also have a +16 goals lead over Aston Villa meaning it almost takes a miracle for the Midlands idea to take the lead on the final day.

Emery will hope that Man City haven’t partied too hard and given the Seagulls a thrashing in their mid-week clash, although they’re still likely to need a huge win on Sunday to make it to the Europa League.

Remaining games

Wednesday, May 24

Brighton v Manchester City

Sunday May 28

Aston Villa v Brighton

BATTLE FOR THE EUROPE CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Aston Villa v Tottenham v Brentford

Aston Villa’s real battle seems to be to hold onto the final European spot as they currently occupy the one and only Europa Conference League position.

However, only two points separate them, Tottenham and Brentford sitting in ninth place going into the final day of the season.

All three sides face tough games on the final day of the season and the order from seventh to ninth could change drastically by the end of Sunday’s game.

While Aston Villa host Brighton, Tottenham face relegation in the battle against Leeds and Brentford host newly crowned champions Man City.

The most interesting of the three games could be Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Leeds, who need nothing less than a win to secure their Premier League survival.

Brentford will play against what could be a much changed Man City team as Pep Guardiola’s side will face the FA Cup final with Manchester United and the Champions League final against Inter Milan.

However, City’s win over Chelsea with a much-changed starting eleven is a clear indication that it will be a tough test for the Bees, no matter who eliminates Guardiola.

Villa, meanwhile, will hope that City thrash Brighton to keep their extremely meager Europa League hopes alive. But their European hopes could also benefit if Brighton finish sixth with a point against the champions, meaning they have nothing to fight for against Villa.

When it comes to goal difference, Brentford’s +11 tally gives them an advantage over Aston Villa and Tottenham, who have only +4.

Remaining games

Sunday May 28

Aston Villa v Brighton

Brentford against Manchester City

Leeds vs Tottenham

BATTLE FOR RELEGATION

After Leicester’s result against Newcastle, the Foxes need all three points to avoid relegation this weekend.

Last night’s draw put them level with Leeds on 31 points – two behind Everton.

Heading into the final game of the season, Smith hopes his side can beat West Ham, as Everton and Leeds both lose their games against Bournemouth and Tottenham respectively.

Leeds need a miracle this weekend, with relegation to the Championship looking likely. The club has to beat Spurs Elland Road on Sunday and hope Everton lose.

Sam Allardyce’s side could also take a win if Everton draw, although they must beat Spurs by three goals and hope Leicester fail to get the results they need.

Following last night’s result between Newcastle and Everton, Toffees fans head into the final game of the season outside the drop zone.

Therefore, a win against Bournemouth will be enough to keep them in the division.

Should Everton draw on Sunday, it could leave them susceptible to a drop in goal difference.

A draw for Everton could be enough to keep them in the division if the Foxes lose on Sunday. Leicester have a +6 goal difference advantage over Everton meaning they currently have the advantage if they finish level on points with the Toffees.

Remaining games

Sunday May 28

Everton v Bournemouth

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leicester v West Ham