IT IS a rarity for an EPL season to go down to the wire as Manchester City imperious form at the tail end of the season usually means they have it sewn up. Although they are two points clear of Arsenal at the top, the reigning champions will need to beat West Ham, keen to give outgoing manager David Moyes a proper send-off. The Gunners will need to beat Everton at the Emirates and hope the Hammers can spring a surprise.
Elsewhere, the spotlight will be on iconic Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s final game in charge. FocusM takes a look at all the fixtures in the final weekend of the EPL 2023/24 campaign. (All games will kick off at 11pm)
Arsenal v Everton
Arsenal will need to block out the noise and focus on the task at hand, which is getting the three points. Mikael Arteta’s side will need to ignore the murmurs cascading from the terraces on updates on the Manchester City v West Ham game.
After an extremely difficult season, Everton may relish playing spoilers, and with zero pressure, they could just ruin things for the Gunners, especially if they take the lead. Nerves and pressure can do funny things, especially when a title is at stake.
Brentford v Newcastle
After tasting Champions League football after a two-decade absence, Newcastle supporters will be desperate for some form of European action. The Magpies can seal a spot in the Conference League with a win against Brentford. If Chelsea slips up, there is a prize of a Europa League spot.
However, with Manchester United on their tails, Newcastle will need to ensure they don’t end up dropping out of these coveted places. The game is also the last chance for Ivan Toney to convince Gareth Southgate to include him in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
It has been a season to forget for Manchester United. Despite reaching the FA Cup final, Erik Ten Hag’s days at Old Trafford look numbered. Too many lacklustre performances aligned with disinterested playing staff suggest the Dutchman has lost the dressing room, with new stakeholders rumoured to be interested in hiring England boss Gareth Southgate as replacement.
The opposite dressing room is also mired in uncertainty, with Roberto De Zerbi tipped to leave the Seagulls. Hence, this could be both managers’ last game in charge of their respective clubs.
Burnley v Nottingham Forest
The relegation candidates are pretty much confirmed, with all three promoted clubs making a swift return to the Championship. Luton Town will need to win by a dozen goals or for Nottingham Forest to lose by a similar margin for them to swap places.
Burnley has had a chastening experience after winning promotion with a record 101 points last season, as Vincent Kompany’s men have been found wanting at the highest level. Forest will feel they deserve to survive after facing a points penalty as well as suffering from a number of dubious refereeing and VAR decisions.
Chelsea v Bournemouth
It has been a testing first season at Stamford Bridge for Mauricio Pochettino. Lack of cohesiveness, penalty squabbles, and a young team hampered by injuries mean that it is incredible Chelsea are in the fight for a Europa League spot, especially after their wayward form saw the expensively assembled squad mired in mid-table.
Pochettino will argue that reaching the semis of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup represents decent progress. Sealing European competition for next term will boost his case that he has the foundations to build a decent team.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Job done and dusted. Aston Villa, who secured Champions League football in midweek after fifth placed Spurs failed to win against Manchester City. Older Villa fans will recall the side’s heroics in lifting Old Big Ears in 1982 after beating the mighty Bayern Munich and it will be the first time back among Europe’s elite since those halcyon days.
Much credit will go to manager Unai Emery who has transformed Villa’s fortunes since taking over from Steven Gerrard. Losing in the semis of the Conference Cup was a bitter pill to swallow, but most Villa fans will agree that a fourth-place finish is plenty to celebrate.
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderes
A failed quadruple bid may have soured the ending for Jurgen Klopp but there is absolutely no denying that he has revitalised the Anfield outfit. In eight-and-a-half years in charge of the Merseyside club, Klopp has won every trophy on offer. That he did not win more was down to fine margins, and he leaves the club in far better shape than when he arrived.
It will be an emotional afternoon as the Kop bids farewell to a living legend who truly understood the ethos of not just the club but the City of Liverpool as well.
Luton Town v Fulham
To survive the drop, Luton need a 12-goal swing in their favour. Realistically, this will be their last hurrah in the top flight this year. Supporters know the players have given their all but the gap between the Championship and Premier League can be daunting.
Money alone will not guarantee survival, as Burnley found to their cost, but the Luton board will have a better understanding of what is required if and when they get promoted again. The visitors can expect a raucous atmosphere at Kenilworth Road as supporters drum up the noise one more time.
Manchester City v West Ham United
The reigning champions have won eight games on the trot and will seal their fourth consecutive title with a win against the Hammers. It will be David Moyes last game in charge of West Ham and he will relish adding a title-depriving upset to his legacy.
The home team looked primed and ready to finish the job with Eerling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri all looking sharp and ready to collect yet another winner’s medal. Win this and the upcoming FA Cup final against the Red Devils, City fans will feel the pain of that European cup semi-loss to Real Madrid subside a little.
Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspurs
Finishing fifth in his maiden campaign can be considered a decent return for Ange Postecoglou but having led the table in the early part of the season, expectations among the Spurs faithful were raised.
However, with Postecoglou faced with strengthening his squad in the summer, a place in the Europa League will help the Australian coach attract players after Spurs missed out on a spot last season. They should make light work of Sheffield United who are considered among the worst teams to ever grace the top flight, having been rooted at the bottom for most of the season. – May 18, 2024
