What’s at Stake on Super Sunday

As we enter the final matchday in what’s been a wildly unprecedented season, many spots are still up for grabs.

Although Liverpool clinched the title decades ago, European positions are still up for grabs, while a trio of teams will battle for survival at the bottom of the table.

Here, we outline which teams still have something to fight for on Super Sunday and the outcomes from each of the possible scenarios.

Premier League Champions

Liverpool. They officially lifted the trophy on Wednesday and unofficially lifted it about 6 months ago. Nothing to see here.

Top 4 (Champions League) Finish

Now, this could be interesting. Liverpool and Manchester City have secured 1^st and 2^nd places respectively, but Manchester United, Chelsea, and Leicester City will all continue to finish in the top four.

After Manchester City won their appeal to have their two-year European competition ban due to financial fair play regulations rescinded last week, it was confirmed that one of these three teams would be left out of the Champions League picture.

As things stand, Chelsea and Manchester United sit on 63 points with Manchester United holding a commanding lead in the goal differential column, while Leicester City sit on 62 points.

Prior to the restart, Leicester City sat comfortably in third place, 5 points of Chelsea and 8 points ahead of United. However, the Foxes have won just 2 of their past 8 Premier League matches and now find themselves on the outside looking in.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have looked impressive. The Red Devils have a goal differential of +22 since the restart, largely due to the emerging prowess of their front three of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial. They could have all but secured a top 4 finish had they beaten West Ham on Wednesday, but a draw against the Hammers means that United will likely need to get a result on Sunday.

Chelsea have been up and down since the restart, beating Manchester City, while also losing to Sheffield United and West Ham. They will have a tough matchup against Wolves on Sunday, with one eye on the game at the King Power Stadium.

Manchester United secure a top 4 finish if they:

• WIN or DRAW at Leicester City
• LOSS against Leicester City AND Chelsea LOSS vs. Wolves

Chelsea secure a top 4 finish if they:

• WIN or DRAW vs. Wolves
• LOSS vs. Wolves AND Leicester City LOSS vs. Manchester United

Leicester City secure a top 4 finish if they:

• WIN vs. Manchester United
• TIE vs. Manchester United AND Chelsea LOSS vs. Wolves

Europa League Places

The teams that can mathematically finish in the top 7 have been finalized. The 5^th-7^th places will fall to the odd team out from the aforementioned battle for Champions League positions, Wolves, and Tottenham.

Either Manchester United, Chelsea, or Leicester City will finish 5^th. This leaves Wolves and Tottenham to battle for 6^th place. Currently, Wolves sit on 59 points, while Spurs sit on 58 points. Jose Mourinho’s side sits ahead of Nuno Esperito’s side by one goal on goal differential.

However, if Arsenal defeat Chelsea in the FA Cup final next weekend, 7^th place won’t be enough to secure a Champions League position. Therefore, teams must play with the assumption that a top six finish will be required to compete in European competition next season.

Wolves, coming off a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, host Chelsea in a game that could bring them to within a point of the Blues. However, Chelsea cannot fall below 5^th place, regardless of how results play out on Sunday.

Tottenham, revitalized by wins over Arsenal and Leicester City in recent weeks, have climbed their way back into Europa League positions. They face a struggling Crystal Palace team in their last game.

Wolves finish 6^th if they:  

• Better or equal Tottenham’s result
• TIE vs. Chelsea AND Tottenham TIE at Crystal Palace
• Tottenham LOSS at Crystal Palace

Tottenham finish 6^th if they:

• Better Wolves’ result

Relegation

Perhaps the most enthralling of all the Super Sunday races is the relegation scrap.

As things stand, Norwich City have been relegated. Two of Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Watford will also be demoted to the Championship, while one of them will live to last another season.

Aston Villa are currently safe on 34 points, holding a one goal advantage over Watford in the goal differential column. Bournemouth are three points below the other two with 31 points.

Aston Villa’s recent resurgence has placed them in a position where they control their own destiny. Netting 7 out of a possible 9 points in their past three games, Dean Smith’s side have clawed themselves outside of the relegation zone, currently sitting in 17^th place.

Bournemouth have really struggled since the restart and in the 2^nd half of the season as a whole. The Cherries have only picked up 4 points since the resumption of play and face the slimmest hopes of survival amongst the three sides.

Watford have been all over the place. After firing Nigel Pearson, their 3^rd managerial dismissal of the season, with just 2 games to go, the Hornets need a result to keep their Premier League dreams alive.

Aston Villa are safe if they:  

• Better Watford’s result
• TIE at West Ham AND Watford TIE

Watford are safe if they:

• Better Aston Villa’s result (unless both they and Aston Villa lose, while Bournemouth win)

Bournemouth are safe if they:

• WIN vs. AND Aston Villa loss at West Ham AND Watford loss at Arsenal