Going into the final week of the Premier League season, there are three clubs in the race for the last two top-four places, with Liverpool and Manchester City already having secured their place in the competition for next season.
The two places are currently being occupied by Chelsea and Leicester City, although that could change ahead of the final game of the season.
With Chelsea and Man United in FA Cup semi-final action, Leicester had the chance to get a foothold in the race when they took on Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Jose Mourinho’s men came out as 3-0 winners on the day, meaning that with just one game of their season remaining Leicester remain in fourth place, one point behind Chelsea and with only goals scored separating them and Manchester United in fifth place.
Both the Blues and United are in Premier League action this week before the weekend’s final games.
Chelsea face a tough game at Anfield, just minutes after Man United host West Ham.
But what are the permutations ahead of the midweek game in the race for the top four? Here is how things could look at the end of the week.
Chelsea win
If Chelsea win against Liverpool, then they will have secured a place in the Champions League next season, no matter how the other results go, leaving Leicester and Manchester United to battle it out over the last remaining spot at the weekend.
Three points would take them to 66 points, four points ahead of Leicester and at least one ahead of United ahead of the final game.
That means that only United would be able to catch them on the last day, and the lowest the Blues could finish would be fourth.
Chelsea draw, Manchester United win
If Chelsea draw against Liverpool, it would put them onto 64 points, two ahead of Leicester.
If United pick up a win over West Ham in the earlier kick off, the Red Devils would move onto 65 points and therefore go up to third place in the table.
That means that the Blues would need a win over Wolves on the final day in order to ensure a top-four finish. A loss or a point against Wolves could see them miss out on goal difference should Leicester beat United.
3. Manchester United – 65
4. Chelsea – 64
5. Leicester City – 62
Chelsea draw, Manchester United draw
If both Chelsea and Manchester United draw, the gap between the two clubs would be the same, with United going above Leicester into fourth place in the table ahead of the final game.
These results mean that Chelsea couldn’t fall out of the top four on the final day, due to Leicester and Manchester United playing each other, although the result would have an impact on who would join Frank Lampard’s men in the Champions League positions.
3. Chelsea – 64
4. Manchester United – 63
5. Leicester City – 62
Chelsea lose, Manchester United win
If Chelsea fall to defeat against Liverpool and the Red Devils pick up a win against West Ham, then it puts the Blues into a precarious position going into the final game of the season.
United’s win would see them go above Chelsea on 65 points, with only one point separating the Blues and Leicester, who would be in fifth, with the Foxes having a superior goal difference.
A win against Wolves would secure Chelsea’s place in the top four no matter the result at the King Power Stadium, but a loss could leave Lampard’s men in danger of missing out all together should Leicester draw, and a draw could let Leicester in should they beat United.
3. Manchester United – 65
4. Chelsea – 63
5. Leicester City 62
Chelsea lose, Manchester United draw
Due to their superior goal difference, a draw for Manchester United coupled with a loss for Chelsea against Liverpool would see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men leapfrog Leicester and Chelsea into third place.
A win or draw for Chelsea against Wolves would see them secure top four, but a loss means that a draw for both Leicester and United would be enough for them to overtake Lampard’s men, with Brendan Rodgers’ men overtaking them on goal difference.
3. Manchester United – 63
4. Chelsea – 63
5. Leicester City – 62
Chelsea lose, Manchester United lose
Should both Chelsea and Manchester United lose during midweek, then the table will stay at it is ahead of the final game of the season.
A win or draw for Chelsea against Wolves would see them guarantee a top-four finish, leaving Leicester and Manchester United to battle it out for the last remaining spot.
A Leicester win or a draw would see the Foxes qualify alongside Frank Lampard’s men, with a Manchester United win seeing them overtake the Foxes at the final hurdle.
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However, a loss would open the door for Leicester and Manchester United to overtake the Blues with a draw.
3. Chelsea – 63
4. Leicester City – 62
5 – Manchester United – 62
(footballlondon)
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
