1
Cherries contemplate what would possibly had been
Bournemouth’s hopes of European soccer have been vanquished after defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday however the Cherries, 11th on 53 issues, may nonetheless reach 9th spot and fit their ultimate end within the Premier League (beneath Eddie Howe in 2016-17, even though that used to be accomplished with most effective 46 issues). A house sport towards relegated Leicester seems to provide the easiest alternative however the last stretch has been tricky for Andoni Iraola’s aspect, with the previous 12 league video games generating most effective two victories. Remarkably, a three-game league shape desk places Leicester in fourth after house wins over Southampton and Ipswich both sides of a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest. Perhaps this gained’t be the walkover maximum predict, and there can be a wistful feeling within the air on the Vitality on Sunday afternoon. No one can deny it’s been a powerful season however what a birthday party it could had been. With Dean Huijsen off to Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez connected closely with the champions, Liverpool, how most of the goodbyes at the conventional end-of-season lap of honour will probably be everlasting? David Tindall
Bournemouth v Leicester, Sunday 4pm (all instances BST)
2
A job for Rodri at Fulham?
It is not likely Manchester City’s season would had been so underwhelming had Rodri no longer suffered that critical knee damage towards Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s aspect have suffered with out the peace of mind equipped by way of the most productive midfielder within the league. No one has been ready to step up in his absence. Opponents have run via City, leaving them in peril of lacking out on Champions League qualification. They want a consequence towards Fulham at the ultimate day and Guardiola has issues in midfield ahead of the commute to Craven Cottage. Mateo Kovacic is suspended after his crimson card towards Bournemouth, so how does Guardiola modify? He used Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in deeper roles within the FA Cup ultimate however that turns out like an flawed answer for a tough away sport. Is this a second for Nico González, quick on Premier League revel in, or the wily however getting older Ilkay Gündogan? Maybe it’s time for Rodri. The Spaniard made a past due cameo off the bench towards Bournemouth, however placing him within the beginning XI now could be a chance given his loss of soccer. Rodri might not be able to begin, however Guardiola might want him to make a large have an effect on off the bench. Jacob Steinberg
Fulham v Manchester City, Sunday 4pm
3
Potter stares down a tricky summer time
A difficult promote of a fit for neutrals, with Ipswich’s relegation lengthy sealed and West Ham’s marketing campaign elevating few cheers as soon as relegation used to be have shyed away from. There is, even though, public affection at stake, specifically for Graham Potter, who has remained one thing of a stranger to Hammers enthusiasts. Four wins in 18 fits since taking rate is the worst go back since Avram Grant took the membership down within the 2010-11 season. Potter’s downbeat character has been reflected by way of passive performances from his staff and his report is now worse than that of Julen Lopetegui, the chief he changed in January. Winning at Manchester United, a consequence that used to make up for an detached season, has equipped no fig leaf. Lose at Ipswich, who’ve gained as soon as at Portman Road within the league all season, and Potter faces a summer time of doubts. Kieran McKenna, regardless of Ipswich’s struggles, keeps the membership hierarchy’s religion and will probably be on the lookout for a favorable send-off down the chute to the Championship. John Brewin
Ipswich v West Ham, Sunday 4pm
4
A birthday party in each nook of Anfield
Few would have predicted Crystal Palace’s seek advice from because the precursor to the 2025 Community Shield again in August, however surprising silverware guarantees all sections of Anfield will probably be in full-on birthday party mode at the ultimate day. Liverpool can rarely deny they have got been at the seashore since wrapping up the identify 4 weeks in the past. They had been merrily promoting the reality in every single place social media, popping in for 2 defeats and a attract between their jollies to Ibiza and Dubai. Wayne Lineker’s new mate, Arne Slot, can rarely bitch on the downturn. It is tricky to consider Oliver Glasner striking out with Gary’s playboy brother and there have been no indicators of a hangover when Crystal Palace surfed an FA Cup-winning wave towards Wolves on Tuesday. The major match comes after the overall whistle, in fact, when Liverpool get to boost the league championship trophy in entrance of their very own supporters for the primary time in 35 years. But what reception awaits Trent Alexander-Arnold this time? Andy Hunter
Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Sunday 4pm
5
United’s new first light nonetheless within the distance
The excellent information for Ruben Amorim is that he keeps Manchester United’s backing regardless of overseeing Wednesday’s pathetic 1-0 Europa League ultimate defeat to Tottenham. The unhealthy tidings are those: his staff won’t but have hit all-time low as Sunday’s guests, Aston Villa, are a powerful proposition who arrive firmly in quest of a Champions League position. A 19th league defeat of the season, and an ignominious end in 17th position, are very a lot conceivable. Given the membership’s dismal switch marketplace report over a decade or extra, the beleaguered Portuguese trainer might be about to undergo an extended summer time. The darkest hour is supposedly ahead of first light however it’s going to most effective be 3am at Old Trafford. Jamie Jackson
Manchester United v Aston Villa, Sunday 4pm
6
Pickford fired up by way of Black Cat loyalties
Might Jordan Pickford turn out a one-man human barrier blocking off Newcastle’s path to the Champions League? Much as he loves lifestyles at Everton, the England goalkeeper will all the time adore Sunderland, the membership he supported as a boy and the place he started his occupation. Newcastle enthusiasts mechanically barrack Sunderland outdated boys however their dislike of Pickford no longer most effective elevates such contention to a brand new stage, however ceaselessly turns out to deliver the most productive out in a keeper boasting high-calibre footwork his Newcastle counterpart Nick Pope should envy. Should Pickford’s saves ship Eddie Howe’s aspect to the Europa League subsequent season, he’s going to enjoy being the toast of Wearside. If Everton’s outfielders might not be slightly as motivated, David Moyes has formed an stubborn aspect and Howe will probably be hoping that Alexander Isak overcomes groin hassle in time to begin. If so, it can be a case of Sweden striker v England goalkeeper. Louise Taylor
Newcastle v Everton, Sunday 4pm
after publication promotion
7
Chelsea face check of nerve at Forest
Only a win on the City Ground will do for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. Sunday is way more vital to membership and supervisor than subsequent Wednesday’s Conference League ultimate towards Real Betis in Wroclaw. Nottingham Forest are nonetheless combating for a Champions League spot and the City Ground will probably be baying for blood, which can ask critical questions of a visiting unit that wilted beneath identical stipulations at Newcastle. The Chelsea possession can ill-afford to be absent from the Champions League for 3 successive seasons, it doesn’t matter what different continental baubles may well be accrued, and regardless of their presence in the summertime’s Fifa Club World Cup bonanza. Forest can nonetheless make it into the highest 5 and don’t have anything to lose. That, and the looming, every now and then provocative presence of the landlord, Evangelos Marinakis, makes them a prospect to concern for any shrinking violets. JB
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea, Sunday 4pm
St Mary’s hosts probably the most meaningless of the entire weekend’s meaningless video games. Southampton will end backside regardless, and barring a fantastic drubbing that damages Arsenal’s internet purpose distinction, Mikel Arteta’s aspect have the runners-up slot within the bag. The giant speaking level for Saints enthusiasts is the upcoming appointment of Will Still as supervisor, who might be in situ by way of Sunday. The very talked-about 32-year-old trainer has a keenness for top urgent, clever working and rapid transitions, none of which were in nice proof this season, even though Still will have to be capable to get a greater track out of Southampton’s gamers than Ivan Juric and his extra uncompromising “death metal” soccer. An trip towards the second-best staff in England gives an invaluable audition for many who fancy getting caught right into a promotion problem subsequent time period after this wasted season. Tom Davies
Southampton v Arsenal, Sunday 4pm
9
Brighton will have to prosper at Spurs birthday party
Expect an air of cognitive dissonance on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday as Spurs mark their possible lowest end of the Premier League generation with a post-Europa League birthday party. Festivities will inevitably be accompanied by way of hypothesis that this would possibly nonetheless be Ange Postecoglou’s final fit in rate. That is probably not influenced by way of the outcome and function right here, which don’t very much subject. Brighton, against this, nonetheless entertain hopes of becoming a member of Spurs in European festival subsequent season. Some extent right here will protected 8th position for Fabian Hürzeler’s aspect, which would possibly protected a Conference League position relying on a convoluted aggregate of different effects, together with subsequent Wednesday’s Conference League ultimate between Chelsea and Betis. Brighton have been superb towards Liverpool on Monday and can arrive in north London in excellent shape and spirits. As we now have noticed this week, they’re merely a greater staff than Spurs and will have to wrap up that top-eight position right here. TD
Tottenham v Brighton, Sunday 4pm
10
Wolves have discovered chew however what subsequent?
After 19 video games of this Premier League season, Wolves have been in a dangerous place. They had controlled most effective 16 issues and have been some degree and a spot above the drop zone. But for the reason that midway mark their transformation has been notable. Talk of relegation vanished a very long time in the past. The second-half-of-the-season desk presentations Wolves in a rather wholesome 13th. They have totted up the similar selection of wins as Arsenal and Nottingham Forest (8) and their issues tally (25) in that duration is on a par with mid-table aspects like Fulham and Bournemouth. The choice to usher in Vítor Pereira after the 2-1 house loss to Ipswich in December has been absolutely justified and throughout March and April they secured a membership report six Premier League wins a row. The staff has wobbled since however victory over Brentford on Sunday will whole a adequate marketing campaign. What occurs subsequent is unsure, even though. Can Wolves grow to be a staff excellent sufficient to problem for a European spot or will subsequent season turn out sticky once more, with their big name attacker Matheus Cunha set to transport on and different prize property, corresponding to Rayan Aït-Nouri, connected with strikes away? DT
Wolves v Brentford, Sunday 4pm