So, this is it!
After nine nail-biting months, 37 matches and numerous talking points, the final football games in the most exciting league in the world are about to be played out.
A last chance for 2017-18 live betting, a final chance to consider the betting odds in the most compelling league in the world—until August anyway!
Most of the main places and prizes have been determined, but there’s still a few which will be determined on the last day.
Where will your focus be as the teams reach 3,420 minutes plus stoppages?
WEEK 38 SUNDAY:
Burnley vs Bournemouth
In the words of manager Sean Dyche, ‘Arsenal really turned up’ against his side last weekend.
However, that 5-0 defeat in Arsene Wenger’s home farewell does not detract from a fine season for the Clarets in which they qualified for European football for the first time since the mid-1960s.
Dyche is my choice for manager of the year and deserves all the accolades he receives for guiding this proud club into Europe.
Seventh place is a magnificent achievement, and there should be a party atmosphere at Turf Moor against a club and manager who have also achieved against the odds.
Of course, both used to manage the other side too!
Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion
With reputation fully restored after the embarrassing end to his England tenure, Roy Hodgson can enjoy this occasion.
That it is against the club he managed before taking the England job in 2012 will not make it sweeter, however.
West Brom have finally succumbed to the drop, despite somehow taking their survival bid into the last week against the odds.
Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal
When I think of this fixture, I think of the late, great Herbert Chapman. The man who steered both clubs to championship glory in the 1920s and 30s.
They have both taken very different paths since then. In fact, even then, Huddersfield were much smaller and, ultimately, unable to keep hold of Chapman from the bright lights of a city club.
Now, as Arsenal say farewell to Arsene Wenger—the only manager to be more successful at the club than Chapman—Huddersfield can celebrate securing safety in the top flight.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
The permutations are simple.
Liverpool need to draw to be sure of a place in next season’s Champions League.
Just like their final match of last season, they have a home match against strugglers and should secure at least fourth place.
For Brighton, it is a day to enjoy with survival secured and the pressure off. Chris Hughton and his players also deserve praise in their first top division campaign since 1982/83.
Manchester United vs Watford
A chance for Man Utd to cement the second place, a position that would mark genuine progress after last year’s sixth spot.
Of course, silverware is the main barometer at a club like United so it will be interesting to see what team Jose Mourinho selects ahead of next week’s FA Cup Final.
Watford can enjoy the day, safe in the knowledge they have a fourth straight Premier League campaign to look forward to.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea
That the toppled champions go to St. James’ Park with a chance of returning to the Champions League next season seemed out of reach a few weeks ago.
Yet, a winning run of four successive victories was halted by Huddersfield in midweek and Antonio Conte’s side seems set to miss out for the second time in three seasons.
Newcastle can reflect on a fine season under Rafa Benitez.
However, as he prepares to face one of his former teams, owner Mike Ashley will no doubt be reminded by the home faithful that he needs to be backed financially this summer if the club is to progress.
Southampton vs Manchester City
All to play for (in one sense).
Can the Saints stay up (probably) and Mark Hughes become a hero, just two months after taking charge?
Can champions Man City become the first Premier League club to finish the season on a century of points?
One suspects an intriguing afternoon awaits at St Mary’s.
Swansea City vs Stoke City
This could be the venue for a tense afternoon too.
Swansea must win big to have any hope of ensuring Carlos Carvalhal’s place in club folklore.
Failure to get a positive result and they will likely be joining Stoke in the Championship next season.
It’s a hell of an ask to reverse a nine-goal swing, even if results go their way.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City
Spurs say farewell to Wembley where they adapted better than many expected despite a slow start.
However, there is no place quite like home and a return to the new White Hart Lane next season can only help the club, though speculation over Mauricio Pochettino’s future needs to be quashed quickly.
Leicester could do without similar rumours about Claude Puel’s future and could do with some consistency at the top—granted three wins in 13has hardly helped his cause.
West Ham United vs Everton
The reverse fixture in late November came on the day Sam Allardyce was appointed Everton manager.
He promptly sat in the stands and saw his side thrash the Hammers 4-0, helped by a Wayne Rooney hat-trick including one strike from inside his own half.
How former Everton boss David Moyes would love to avenge that scoreline as they round off their campaign.
Moyes has lost all five times he has managed against the Toffees since leaving them in 2013.
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