Premier League permutations: How Arsenal can nab Europa Conference League ahead of Tottenham on final day of season

THE Premier League’s final day is all about the race for Europe, with seven teams still jostling for position.

Manchester City and Manchester United have already secured the top two places, but nothing else is certain going into Sunday’s last round of fixtures.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester are competing for two Champions League positions, West Ham, Spurs and Everton could still secure Europa League football – while Arsenal are also in the hunt for a place in the inaugural Europa Conference League.

So with each team having just one game left to secure their fate, let’s take a look at all the various permutations.

RACE FOR TOP FOUR

Chelsea are currently in the driving seat after their 2-1 win over Leicester on Tuesday night, sitting third on 67 points – with a +23 goal difference.

Liverpool then overtook the Foxes with their 3-0 victory over Burnley last night, taking them to 66 points, with a +24 goal difference.

Leicester have the same points tally as Liverpool, although their +20 goal difference is four inferior of the Reds’.

Theoretically Brendan Rodgers’ side could still overtake Jurgen Klopp’s even if both teams were to win, but it would take a dramatic swing in goal difference.

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For example, if Liverpool were to beat Crystal Palace 1-0, Leicester would need to beat Spurs 6-0 to pip the Reds.

Chelsea, meanwhile, know that a win at Aston Villa guarantees them third place, although any other result would leave them open to being overtaken by Liverpool and Leicester.

And if the Blues were to lose to Dean Smith’s side, Liverpool would only need a draw to overtake them, courtesy of their superior goal difference – although Leicester can only move ahead of Chelsea with a win.

EUROPA LEAGUE DREAMS

The Europa League can be seen as the maligned lesser sibling of the Champions League at times, but after the addition of the Europa Conference League, may seem a more attractive option this year.

Whoever misses out on the top four between Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester is guaranteed to finish fifth.

But sixth place is still up for grabs.

West Ham are firmly in the driving seat, after their 3-1 victory at West Brom last night moved them onto 62 points – three ahead of Tottenham in seventh.

So as long as David Moyes’ side avoid defeat against Southampton at the London Stadium, they will come sixth and qualify for the Europa League.

If they lose, however, Spurs could still overtake them with any win over Leicester, courtesy of a nine superior goal difference.

Theoretically, Everton could still come sixth should West Ham lose and Tottenham fail to win, but they would require a nine-goal swing – with the Hammers possessing an eight better goal difference and a far superior goals scored record.

So if West Ham were to lose 3-0 to Southampton, Everton would then still need to beat Man City 6-0 at the Etihad to overtake them…

SEVENTH HEAVEN

Seventh place this year will seal a position in the intriguing new Europa Conference League for next season.

Taking place in the same Thursday night slot as the Europa League, the Conference League will offer a chance for clubs in smaller football nations to get more of a taste of the big time.

Should West Ham falter in one of the scenarios above, they would fall to seventh, entering the new competition.

But should Moyes’ boys win, it will be between Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal.

The Toffees are level on 59 points with Spurs, with both facing tricky away assignments against Man City and Leicester respectively.

But just a point back are the Gunners, who have a far more favourable looking task against Brighton at the Emirates.

If all three win, then Spurs will clinch seventh place.

But if Spurs lose, Everton could overtake them with a draw – although the Toffees would still need to take all three points against City if Arsenal were to beat the Seagulls.

If neither Tottenham or Everton can produce three points, then all Arsenal have to do is win their game to somehow sneak into Europe.

Leeds United can theoretically still come seventh, if all three sides above them were to lose, and they were to beat West Brom at Elland Road.

But Spurs possess a 15 better goal difference, so even if Leeds were to beat West Brom 7-0, they would require Ryan Mason’s side to lose 8-0 at Leicester.

The Lilywhites have been bad, Leeds fans, but unfortunately for you not that bad…

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk