Premier League permutations: Final day of season set to focus on Arsenal and Tottenham

The battle for Europe is the only issue to be decided

Thursday 16 May 2013 16:48 BST
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Tottenham’s triple player of the year award winner Gareth Bale
Tottenham’s triple player of the year award winner Gareth Bale (AP)

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With the Barclays Premier League title already in Manchester United's hands and the relegation issues also decided, the battle for European football is the only unanswered question ahead of Sunday's final round of games.

United and Manchester City have already wrapped up the top-two places but Chelsea or Arsenal could still finish third.

Here, we take a look at how that battle could work out and also Tottenham's bid to grab fourth off Arsenal, swapping a Europa League spot for a qualification tie to make it into the Champions League.

Final day fixtures (all 1600 kick-off)

Chelsea v Everton - Everton are assured of sixth place but might want to give manager David Moyes a farewell win before he takes over at Manchester United in the summer.

Newcastle v Arsenal - Newcastle are finally free of the threat of relegation following Wigan's demotion on Tuesday but have one last chance to give their fans something to cheer about.

Tottenham v Sunderland - Sunderland, like Newcastle, were also reprieved by Wigan's demise and appear unlikely to upset Spurs' bid to snatch fourth from Arsenal.

If all three win Chelsea take the automatic Champions League qualification spot, Arsenal finish fourth and have to play a qualifier and Tottenham are in the Europa League.

A Chelsea draw could still see them take the automatic spot if Arsenal do not better their result. However, if Chelsea draw 0-0 and Arsenal win 2-1 they will play off for third place as they would be on the same points and have the same goal difference and goals scored totals.

An Arsenal draw would see them finish fourth unless Spurs win.

Spurs need to win, and Arsenal fail to win, if they are to overtake their north London rivals as the Gunners have a far superior goal difference.

PA

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