Final Day Fixtures And Possibilities For Next Season

Written by Dan on May 8, 2010

We’re almost there then, the final day of the season with all 10 games played simultaneously – kick off is at 4pm on Sunday.

  • Arsenal (3rd) v Fulham (12th)
  • Aston Villa (6th) v Blackburn (11th)
  • Bolton (14th) v Birmingham (9th)
  • Burnley (19th) v Tottenham (4th)
  • Chelsea (1st) v Wigan (15th)
  • Everton (8th) v Portsmouth (20th)
  • Hull (18th) v Liverpool (7th)
  • Man Utd (2nd) v Stoke (10th)
  • West Ham (17th) v Man City (5th)
  • Wolves (16th) v Sunderland (13th)

It goes without saying that most eyes will be on Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, especially with the bottom three relegated teams already confirmed, it’s the top of the table where all the interest is.

Utd and Chelsea fight for 1st place of course. Arsenal have been dragged into battle with Tottenham for 3rd spot. Fortunately for Arsenal, they host a Fulham side who will more than likely be focused on Wednesday’s Europa League final in Hamburg on Wednesday.

With a path leading directly into the group stage of the Champions League on offer, 3rd place is a prize worth chasing. Not only does the play off place awarded to 4th mean a risk of not actually reaching the competition, but it potentially provides an unwelcome distraction right as the new season starts – the two-legged play-off matches are scheduled for 17th/18th and 24th/25th August.

It’s a similar story with 5th, 6th & 7th places and the Europa League. 7th place will mean joining the competition in the 3rd qualification round and with legs scheduled for 29th July and 5th August that will clearly have an impact on pre-season planning.

The teams that finish 5th and 6th will join the Europa League in the 4th and final qualification round which will take place on 19th & 26th August.

Man City can finish 5th or 6th. Villa can finish in 5th, 6th or 7th and Liverpool could wind up in either 6th or 7th place. Personally, I want 5th, of course I do, but I’ll take finishing above Liverpool.

Below the top 7, there’s literally nothing but pride at stake. Everton will obviously be extremely disappointed to miss out on a European place and will take no comfort from the fact that they cannot be passed for 8th.

Birmingham City are practically guaranteed a top 10 finish and it has to be said, that’s quite an achievement. Credit where it’s due. With Wolves staying up and West Brom rejoining us, it promises to be an interesting season in the midlands next year.

By 6pm on Sunday it will all be over and there will be no more questions left to answer. If I was willing to stick my neck on the block and make a prediction, I’d say that the top 7 will not change. For once each of the 7 teams have their destiny in their own hands and all could and should win their fixtures.

In the end, then, it will come down to who throws it away if there are to be any changes to the order of the top 7. As I’m fond of pointing out, predictions in this game are entirely pointless, so I won’t be putting my neck on that block. Can you see any of the 7 slipping up though?