For several teams, gameweek 38 will be a formality. Liverpool and Aston Villa might have let go of their title hopes, but they've secured third and fourth place, respectively, and are set for the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United and Burnley are preparing for their return to the Championship next season, and mid-table West Ham United are locked in ninth place with no room for movement. However, there are still plenty of stories waiting to unfold. Here’s what’s left to be decided on the final weekend of the Premier League 2023-2024 season.
Who Will Be Crowned Champions?
Many Premier League fans, especially those supporting Arsenal, might consider the title race a done deal, but Mikel Arteta's Gunners are still mathematically in the running to end their 20-year title drought.Throughout the season, Arsenal's lead always came with an asterisk due to Manchester City's game in hand. And indeed, City's midweek victory over Tottenham Hotspur—some of whose fans were quite content with the loss—has put the champions two points clear at the top.
Pep Guardiola's team now only needs to beat an out-of-form West Ham this weekend to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title, a historic achievement. However, if City draws or loses, Arsenal could snatch the title with a home win over Everton, thanks to their slightly better goal difference.
Should City stumble and Arsenal win, the Gunners will lift the trophy. But any slip-up against Everton, and the City fans—known for their Poznan celebrations, not to be confused with a small group of Tottenham supporters—will be celebrating yet another title.
Battle For European Football Next Season
A single point at home against relegated Sheffield United will secure Tottenham a spot in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United are battling for European places alongside Newcastle United.
The rejuvenated Chelsea only need a point against Bournemouth to finish sixth, which currently secures Europa Conference League football. Manchester United and Newcastle, both tied on 57 points, are vying for position after the Red Devils' midweek win over the Magpies.
Both teams have favorable away matches in their finales—Man United against struggling Brighton and Newcastle at Brentford. Thanks to their superior goal difference, Eddie Howe's Newcastle just need to match or better Man United's result to clinch seventh place.
However, in that scenario, Newcastle would anxiously watch the FA Cup final. If Man United beats Manchester City at Wembley, they would move to the Europa League, the sixth-placed team would drop to the Conference League, and the seventh-placed team would miss out on European football altogether.
A Spot In The Top Half Of The Table
It might not be the most prestigious scenario, but an intriguing four-way battle for the final top-half spot will unfold on Sunday afternoon. Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Wolverhampton Wanderers all have a shot at finishing 10th.Brighton and Bournemouth are tied at 48 points, with the Seagulls' superior goal difference currently placing them in 10th. Palace and Wolves, both sitting at 46 points with 37 games played, are also in the mix.
Brighton controls their own destiny for the 10th spot, but all four teams face challenging fixtures in gameweek 38. Brighton takes on Manchester United, while Bournemouth visits an in-form Chelsea.
Crystal Palace will host Champions League-bound Aston Villa, and Wolves travel to Anfield for Jurgen Klopp's final game, so it's entirely possible that all four teams could finish the season in their current positions and with their current points.
Battle For Survival
Following Luton's defeat to West Ham last weekend, Nottingham Forest's late collapse against Chelsea denied them the chance to secure their Premier League status with a game to spare. Despite this, Forest holds a three-point advantage over Rob Edwards's team with only one match left.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side will secure safety if they either win or draw against Burnley at Turf Moor. Moreover, the result of their match will become irrelevant if Luton fails to secure all three points at home against Fulham.
Even if Luton manages to win and Forest loses on Sunday, Luton would need an improbable 12-goal swing in their favor to avoid relegation—a scenario so far-fetched that even their most optimistic fans would find it hard to believe.
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