Premier League: Millions left to play for on final day

Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal will do battle on the final day of the season for the remaining two Champions League berths, but aside from their tussle little else appears to be at stake.

Chelsea were confirmed as Premier League winners last week, with Spurs guaranteed second place. Everton have secured Europa League football with their seventh-placed finish, while Hull became the third club to be relegated – along with Sunderland and Middlesbrough – on Sunday after they were thrashed by Crystal Palace.

But the amount of money on offer to clubs is now so great that a change in their position in the table can be worth millions. This means that almost everyone still has something to play for.

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Champions League

In the battle for Champions League, Man City need only a point at Watford to qualify. Even if they lose, it would require both their rivals to win and Arsenal to overturn a goal difference deficit of five to leapfrog them.

But if Man City are as good as safe, the same cannot be said of Liverpool, who are only one point ahead of the Gunners heading into the final weekend.

Victory for Jurgen Klopp's men against Middlesbrough at Anfield would be enough to condemn Arsenal to the Europa League, but the Reds have been flaky at times in front of their own fans and a draw would count for nothing if the Gunners win.

Prize money

The prize for winning the league is £38m, but even bottom club Sunderland will still be paid almost £2m just for taking part.

As the Daily Telegraph explains: "£399m is up for grabs in prize money with each league position worth an incredible £1.9m from the bottom of the table up."

It means that very few clubs have nothing to play for. Only Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester United, Everton and the three relegated clubs know their finishing position in the league.

"A win on the final day, then, could boost a club's transfer kitty considerably before the summer," says The Times. "Five points separate Southampton in eighth, which is worth £24.7m in prize money, and Watford in 16th, worth £9.5m."

The stakes are highest for Leicester and West Ham says the paper, explaining there is an eight-place spread of possible finishes for both clubs with £13.3m at stake.

Those two teams also face last-day thrillers against sides that could finish above or below them. Leicester, who won the title last season, are currently 11th with two games left and end their season at home to Bournemouth, in tenth. West Ham, 12th with 42 points, travel to Burnley who are one of four teams that could leapfrog them on the final day.

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Premier League: What's left to be decided this season?

15 May

After Chelsea were confirmed as Premier League champions on Friday night, beating West Brom 1-0 to claim the title, the weekend action saw several other questions answered.

Relegation:

Sunderland were relegated last month, while Middlesbrough had the last rites read by Chelsea last week. The third and final relegation berth was decided on Sunday.

Swansea beat Sunderland 2-0 on Saturday, so Crystal Palace thumping Hull City 4-0 consigned the Tigers to the Championship.

It means all three of the north-east's major teams have been relegated from the Premier League over the last 18 months and although Newcastle returns next season, their nearest away game will be at Burnley, more than 100 miles away.

Top Four:

Chelsea are the champions and Spurs' victory over Man United secured second spot for the Lilywhites, a result that also knocked the Old Trafford squad out of the race for the top four.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are now battling for third and fourth places. Liverpool have 73 points with one game left; Man City have 72 with two to play, and Arsenal lag behind on 69 points with two to play.

Realistically, Liverpool and City need one more win to secure a top four finish, while Arsenal must triumph in both their remaining fixtures and hope one of their rivals slips up.

Europa League:

Everton in seventh place have qualified for the Europa League thanks to Man United's League Cup win and Chelsea and Arsenal competing for the FA Cup.

They will be joined by whoever of Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal finishes outside the top four.

That leaves Man United, who have already guaranteed themselves a spot in Europe. If they win the Europa League, they will qualify for the Champions League; if they do not, then they will be back in the Europa League next season.