Game of the weekend: Newcastle vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 7 a.m. EST)
Only one of two games on the schedule in which both teams have something on the line, and it’s the same thing. That would mean finishing in the top five for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Newcastle suffered a minor hiccup last week, drawing away to Brighton. However, while a win here does not guarantee a top-five spot, it will put them very close.
Chelsea has used a nice bend in the schedule to put together a five-game unbeaten streak, though they did draw at home with Ipswich. Newcastle won’t be as bleary-eyed as Liverpool was last week, though.
Now that Romeo Lavia has reattached all of his limbs, how he performs against Newcastle’s midfield at St. James’s Park will be the key factor in how this game unfolds. If Chelsea loses here, it could get very itchy for them, as they finish the season at Nottingham Forest in what appears to be a winner-take-all game.
The rest…
Fulham v. Everton (Saturday, 10 a.m. EST)
It’s now the end-of-season fair, and everyone is enjoying the rare sunshine in England and remembering what a slice of heaven a cold beer on a warm day is. Everton will focus on their final game at Goodison Park next week.
Fulham could still finish eighth, securing a Europa Conference spot if Manchester City wins the FA Cup. However, losing three of their last four games does not bode well for them.
Ipswich vs. Brentford (Saturday, 10 a.m. EST)
Brentford are one point behind eighth place, should that matter, and they are much hotter than Fulham, having won three in a row and not lost in five. Ipswich’s main concern is finding players who are appealing enough to other Premier League teams in order to avoid another season in the Championship. But, hey, whoever fails to accomplish that may appear on “Welcome To Wrexham!”
Southampton vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 10 a.m. EST)
City hasn’t officially secured a top-five spot yet, but a comfortable win here would suffice. Southampton still needs one point to avoid tying for the worst Premier League season ever. This would clearly be the funniest place to get it, but the world isn’t particularly interested in our comedy tastes right now.
Wolves vs. Brighton (Saturday, 10 a.m. EST)
Brighton is only a point behind eighth place and has a relatively easy schedule to try and secure it. Or so it appears on paper, but Wolves have found joy in life and have continued to win and play well even after ensuring their safety.
They could have gotten something out of their trip to Manchester City last week and were a little disappointed not to. Unlike others, the opportunity to be devilish little imps has been enough for Wolves to show up and annoy opponents for the past month or so. We should all take great pride in our work.
Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. EST)
The only other match in which both teams have something at stake. Bournemouth is currently ranked eighth, and while they have not lost in five games, there have been some disappointing results. They couldn’t defeat a 10-man Crystal Palace and couldn’t hold out against a 10-man Manchester United.
Those four points lost with an extra man would have put them out of contention for eighth place and given them the opportunity to tie Villa for seventh here. Unfortunately, a team cannot wish their way higher up the table. Villa are still in contention for a top-five finish.
They’ll need to run the table and get help, but after that they’ll face both Europa League finalists, who will undoubtedly be unconcerned about their league games. This is far and away their most difficult remaining game.
Manchester United vs. West Ham United (Sunday, 9:15 a.m. EST)
United secured their place in the Europa League final yesterday, so they’ll be cleaning the booze stains from their shirts for this game. “Booze stains” is a fairly accurate description of West Ham as a whole.
Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester (Sunday, 9:15 a.m. EST)
Forest’s goal is to match or better Chelsea’s next two results, with the final game of the season being a make-or-break event. Having Leicester and West Ham in the lead-up should make it a simple task, and they should have more vibes and juice for this one because Leicester is their local rival. Leicester has the vibe and energy of an office that has just been told it’s their last day.
Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace (Sunday, 9:15 a.m. EST)
Palace’s entire raison d’être is the following week and the FA Cup final. They’ll spend 90 minutes here hoping not to get hurt. Tottenham’s entire raison d’etre is the Europa League Final in 10 days. They’ll spend 90 minutes trying not to get hurt, but you won’t notice much difference from any other Spurs Premier League game.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. EST)
Wow, did this one lose its starch? Arsenal will have to give Liverpool a Guard of Honor through gritted teeth (does Arsenal do anything without gritted teeth?), and they will do so days after being eliminated from the Champions League by PSG. Liverpool can at least empathize with that.
Liverpool will most likely be more motivated to play than they were last week, as they do not want to disappoint at home. Arsenal could be level on points with City by the time this game starts, and another loss could mean they finish the weekend with Newcastle one point behind them and Forest only three, meaning their top five spot isn’t guaranteed.
It will remain a party atmosphere at Anfield. We’ll have to wait and see if Arsenal is the partner dragged into it because they don’t know anyone and would rather be watching television.
