Football
Dale JohnsonMark Ogden 5y

Premier League sprint to the finish: What's left to play for

The Premier League season is set for a frantic conclusion with the battle for the title and the top four set to go down to the wire.

With permutations updated after each game, we run through what is left to play for and ESPN FC senior writer Mark Ogden offers his thoughts and predictions. 

Jump to: Title race | UCL qualification | Relegation

Premier League table
SPI odds for the Premier League season

RACE FOR THE TITLE

1.  MAN CITY  (95 points from 37 games)

Still to play: Brighton (a)

Vincent Kompany's unbelievable strike against Leicester was enough to put City top of the table with one game to go. Only Brighton stand between Pep Guardiola and back-to-back Premier League titles.

Ogden: Manchester City's 1-0 win against Leicester on Monday has left them with a simple equation to win the Premier League -- beat Brighton on Sunday and the title is in the bag, regardless of what Liverpool do against Wolves. But City have to win, otherwise a Liverpool win will deny them the title.

2.  LIVERPOOL (94 points from 37 games)

Still to play: Wolves (h)

Liverpool were on the brink against Newcastle until they found a late, late winner. But they will still need a favour from Brighton if they are to win the title. They have a Champions League final to prepare for on June 1, but would surely want the domestic title more.

Ogden: Saturday's late win at Newcastle ensures that the title can still be won at home to Wolves on Sunday if Manchester City drop points. A win will take Liverpool to 97 points yet that still might not be enough.


RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The top four in the Champions League will qualify direct to the group stage, with fifth and sixth into the Europa League. Wolves will be in the UEL if Man City win the FA Cup, or a place will go to Watford instead if they lift the trophy.

3.  CHELSEA (71 points from 37 games)

Maurizio Sarri's men looked to be outsiders a few weeks ago, but secured their place in the Champions League with a game to spare. They could also yet end Arsenal's remaining Champions League hopes when the two sides meet in the Europa League final on May 29.

4.  TOTTENHAM (70 points from 37 games)

Still to play: Everton (h)

They still need a point to be mathematically certain of the Champions League, but their goal difference is eight better than Arsenal's so the Gunners need a miracle. Spurs are also on a high after their dramatic win over Ajax which sealed a Champions League final place against Liverpool.

Ogden: Despite a dismal recent run of results, including successive league defeats, Spurs will secure a top-four spot with a point at home to Everton on the final day. And with an eight-goal advantage over Arsenal, only a heavy defeat and big Gunners win at Burnley will deny Mauricio Pochettino's team.

5.  ARSENAL (67 points from 37 games)

Still to play: Burnley (a)

Arsenal's away form has been their Achilles heel with only two wins on the road in five months, going back to Nov. 25. Any kind of decent recent away record and a place in the Champions League would already be theirs. But now their home for has crumbled too with a defeat to Palace and draw against Brighton effectively ending their top-four hopes. They must win at Burnley and hope Spurs lose at home to Everton as well as securing an eight-goal swing. They could still qualify by winning the Europa League, where they face Chelsea in the final.

Ogden: Arsenal's best hope of Champions League qualification now rests with winning the Europa League following a costly 1-1 draw at home to Brighton. Unai Emery's team must win at Burnley, hope Spurs lose at home to Everton and then overturn an eight-goal goal difference deficit at the same time if they are to finish fourth.

6.  MAN UNITED  (66 points from 37 games)

Still to play: Cardiff (h)

Man United's Champions League hopes were ended by a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield on May 5. They will now play in the Europa League -- and will enter in the second qualifying round should they finish sixth and Watford beat Man City in the FA Cup final. As they have Cardiff on the final day, there is still the chance they might finish fifth above Arsenal.


RELEGATED

18.  CARDIFF (31 points from 37 games)

Cardiff were relegated on May 4.

19.  FULHAM (26 points from 37 games)

Fulham were relegated on April 2.

20.  HUDDERSFIELD (15 points from 37 games)

Huddersfield were relegated on March 30.

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