Premier League curtain call: What to expect this weekend
The best and worst places to be this weekend as an incredible football season draws to a close
On Sunday, when all that remains to be decided is the European places, the curtain will fall on the most remarkable season since the creation of the Premier League.
Leicester were confirmed as champions almost a fortnight ago, and the relegation picture was settled on Wednesday night.
Best place to be: Stamford Bridge
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Back in August most pundits would have picked this game as the one to watch if you wanted to see the champions in action. Not one of them would have expected it to be Leicester City with the trophy.
The greatest fairytale in modern football will draw to a close at Stamford Bridge with former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri returning to his old haunt as a folk hero.
Chelsea's season went up in smoke so early that the fans are already over it, and with Antonio Conte confirmed as manager for next term they will be happy to bid farewell to this campaign. The Blues have nothing to play for so the fans will be happy to celebrate with Leicester, and that should mean that a good time is had by all down at Stamford Bridge.
Worst place to be: Goodison Park
Relegated Norwich travel to managerless Everton on Sunday for a meaningless game that few people will have any interest in. Neither side have anything to play for, except pride.
The mood in the stands will be sombre. The Toffees will already be saying farewell to several stalwarts. Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar will all leave the club after this match and they may also fear for the future of players like Romelu Lukaku.
The football is unlikely to cheer anyone up. Everton have one win in ten matches and Norwich have won only three of 19 games since the turn of year.
Most tense atmosphere: Old Trafford
Man United's defeat at West Ham on Tuesday was a killer blow for Louis van Gaal. It means that instead of celebrating the Champions League qualification with victory over Bournemouth, he will be praying for a miracle in South Wales.
If United are to finish in the top four, they need Swansea to beat Manchester City while they win at home. It means many in the crowd will have their ear to the radio following events elsewhere and discontent is unlikely to be far from the surface at Old Trafford.
It has been a dispiriting season for United. Many are hoping that this will be Van Gaal's Old Trafford farewell, but he is unlikely to get much of a send off. Some in the crowd may actually be hoping that City finish fourth if it hastens the manager's departure.
Bournemouth on the other hand will not give a hoot, as they are secure for another season. The away end is the place to be.
Most 'difficult climate': Emirates Stadium
Reports that Arsene Wenger has been offered a contract extension at Arsenal will have put the cat among the pigeons at the Emirates ahead of the Gunners final game of the season against relegated Aston Villa.
It has been a difficult campaign for the Gunners, who blew their title chance, failed to convince in Europe, surrendered the FA Cup yet once again finished in the top four. Does that constitute success or failure? It depends who you ask, as the fan base is now hopelessly split between those who trust in Wenger and those who want him to leave.
If things go awry against Villa it could turn very ugly very quickly. But if Newcastle beat Spurs, and the Gunners leapfrog their neighbours and go second on the final day of the season, their fans might suddenly remember how to enjoy themselves.
Villa, as usual, will just be making up the numbers.
The theatre of broken dreams: St James' Park
Mike Ashley may decide to give this game a miss. The atmosphere at St James' Park on Sunday in the wake of Newcastle's relegation to the Championship is likely to be febrile at the very least.
There will no shortage of emotion in the stands and much of it is likely to be conflicting. The Geordie faithful never fail to get behind their team, although they have been exasperated by their performances this season. They will also be desperate to show some love to manager Rafa Benitez in the hope that he will decide to stick with them next season.
But above all the Toon Army will be determined to make sure Ashley and the Newcastle board appreciate the depth of their anger after relegation. It promises to be some show.
The away fans will have a contribution to make as well. It has been a brilliant season for Tottenham, even if the title has eluded them. But with only a point needed to secure second place the travelling support will have plenty to shout about.
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