The Premier League title was decided well in advance in favour of Liverpool with Arsenal’s push for the title falling by the wayside far too soon, the three promoted teams from last year were so woeful that there was no relegation race really (Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans will be grateful). So, two of the most thrilling aspects in any Premier League season usually were rendered largely uninteresting.
But there is still a few interesting things to look forward to on the final day of the 2024′-25 season in England’s top flight, with the fight for lucrative European spots still up for grabs. Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest — are bidding for the remaining three Champions League qualification spots alongside already-crowned champions Liverpool, second-place Arsenal and Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur, who enter the last day in a woeful 17th spot having lost 21 times this season.
Having endured their worst season under Pep Guardiola, the latest blow coming in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, City are in third place on 68 points, relatively comfortable in ensuring UCL football for next season. Fourth-place Newcastle, fifth-place Chelsea and sixth-place Villa have 66, and seventh-place Forest have 65.
City are away to Fulham and, because of their superior goal difference (+26) compared to their rivals, know a draw is all but certain to secure a top-five finish. Indeed, Newcastle (+22) and Chelsea (+20) have a much better goal difference than Villa (+9) so are virtually sure of getting into the Champions League with victories.
Chelsea have the toughest match — away to Forest — while Newcastle host Everton and Villa visit Manchester United, who are coming off losing the Europa League final. Forest must beat Chelsea and also need one of Newcastle and Villa to lose or draw their games to secure Champions League qualification. It would be a huge achievement, given Nuno Espirito Santo’s team was fighting relegation last season. A very possible Forest win against Chelsea, who have struggled away from home, could be heartbreak for both teams.
A sixth-place finish guarantees a place in the Europa League.
Man City star Kevin De Bruyne heads the list of players bidding farewell to their teams on the final day. De Bruyne already had a big Etihad Stadium sendoff on Tuesday after the win over Bournemouth but this will be the last game in his 10-year career with City.
Elsewhere, Alexander-Arnold’s goodbye to Liverpool hasn’t been so celebrated by some Reds fans unhappy at him leaving his boyhood team on a free transfer. His last game for Liverpool is against Crystal Palace at Anfield, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Friday he hasn’t decided if Alexander-Arnold will start. He was also critical of the defender’s attitude in training. There was mixed reception from the Anfield faithful when he came on as a sub against Arsenal. Others heading into the final games for their clubs include Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen (Man United), Jorginho and Kieran Tierney (Arsenal), Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton) and Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham).
On the managerial front, there’s still plenty of speculation about the future of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou despite leading the team to the Europa League title. What he says — or how he behaves — after the home game against Brighton will be telling. It could also be Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge of relegated Leicester.
Liverpool’s players will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy after closing their title-winning campaign against Palace, the FA Cup winner — a dress rehearsal of sorts for the season-opening Community Shield in August.
Mohamed Salah, who has 28 goals and 18 assists this season, heads to Anfield with a couple of records in sight. He is one goal or assist away from the Premier League’s single-season goal contribution record of 47 — held jointly by now-retired strikers Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole — and two assists short of the record for most assists in a Premier League season, held by De Bruyne and Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
(With AP inputs)
