How will the final Premier League table look?

The battle for the Premier League, fourth place AND survival are on a knife-edge. ADAM SHERGOLD risks upsetting fans everywhere and predicts the final 38 results and table of a gripping season

  • There’s plenty more still to be decided at both ends of the Premier League
  • Liverpool and Manchester City know they cannot afford any slip-ups in title race
  • Arsenal are in the box seat to claim fourth ahead of their rivals Tottenham
  • At the bottom, Norwich are already down and Watford are on the brink
  • But Burnley, Leeds and Everton are all fighting for their lives just above them
  • Sportsmail takes out the crystal ball to predict the results of each game to come 

The Premier League season is rushing headlong towards its conclusion and there’s EVERYTHING still to play for. 

Whether it’s Manchester City and Liverpool going head-to-head for the title, Arsenal and Tottenham duelling it out to finish fourth or Everton, Leeds United and Burnley scrapping desperately to avoid relegation, so much remains at stake.

With that in mind, Sportsmail has dusted off its crystal ball and predicted the result of each of the remaining matches to see who finishes where on May 22.

Manchester City are the reigning Premier League champions but can they defend the title?

How the top half of the Premier League table currently looks ahead of the run-in

The bottom half of the Premier League table as we enter the final stretch of the campaign

SATURDAY MAY 7

Brentford vs Southampton – A meeting of two teams in the lower half of the table but comfortably clear of relegation. The Bees have been in the better form in recent weeks, so expect them to edge this one. 2-1 to Brentford.

Burnley vs Aston Villa – Burnley’s caretaker coach Michael Jackson has worked miracles since the shock sacking of Sean Dyche, winning three and drawing one of their four games to haul them out of the bottom three. This is another favourable fixture against a Villa side who are mid-table and have little left to play for. Expect another valiant Burnley win to keep their momentum going. 1-0 to Burnley.

Burnley celebrate Josh Brownhill’s dramatic winner against Watford on Saturday afternoon

Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Thomas Tuchel has spoken about his fears Chelsea will slide out of the Champions League places amid the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s sale. But Wolves find themselves in dreadful form as their season fizzles out, so you can’t see beyond an easy home win. 3-0 to Chelsea.

Crystal Palace vs Watford – This could well be the day Watford succumb to a relegation that has looked increasingly inevitable in recent weeks following five consecutive defeats. Palace to put the Hornets out of their misery with a win at Selhurst Park that boosts their chances of finishing in the top half. 2-1 to Palace.

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester United – United have already conceded they have no chance of qualifying for the Champions League and it’s hard to disagree. The Reds continue their hobble towards the end of the season and a place in the Europa League with a laboured point against a tough-to-beat Brighton side. 1-1 draw.

Manchester United have seen their top four chances fade away during a disappointing season

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur – Saturday night, primetime and a match that means so much. Liverpool, already a point behind leaders Manchester City, simply cannot afford to drop any points while Spurs find themselves in a similar position as they chase down Arsenal in fourth. Expect a full-bloodied contest but Klopp’s team, as they usually do, to find a way to get the three points and return top of the table. 2-1 to Liverpool.

SUNDAY MAY 8

Arsenal vs Leeds United – That result on the Saturday night hands Arsenal the advantage in the top four chase but they find themselves up against a Leeds team who just can’t get away from relegation danger. It’s nip and tuck at the Emirates but Mikel Arteta’s get the three points they need. 2-1 to Arsenal.

Arsenal applaud their fans following their important 2-1 win at West Ham on Sunday afternoon

Leicester City vs Everton – At the same time, Everton are trying to get themselves out of the mire away to Leicester, who have played Roma in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final just three days before. Despite some tired legs, Everton’s form on the road is very poor and so it ends with honours even, meaning the Toffees bunch up closer to Leeds. 0-0 draw.

Norwich City vs West Ham United – Norwich are long since relegated and playing only for pride. West Ham come to Norfolk off the back of their Europa League semi-final return with Eintracht Frankfurt. The Hammers are leggy but have enough energy in the tank and the superior quality to get all three points to keep their top six hopes alive. 3-1 to West Ham.

Manchester City vs Newcastle United – Pep Guardiola’s side once again find themselves playing after Liverpool and have to play catch-up at the top of the standings. While Newcastle are much improved, City are naturally in another class and win the match handsomely to re-establish their slender lead. 4-1 to Man City.

TUESDAY MAY 10

Aston Villa vs Liverpool – Quite the narrative as Steven Gerrard’s Villa are confronted with his former club on a title mission in this rearranged game. Villa give it plenty but Klopp’s Liverpool juggernaut remains unstoppable as they take all three points and the title tussle continues. 2-0 to Liverpool.

Luis Diaz leaps on the back of Naby Keita after scoring Liverpool’s winner at Newcastle 

WEDNESDAY MAY 11

Leeds United vs Chelsea – Another tricky assignment for Leeds but Elland Road is a cauldron and Chelsea, who have one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup final, aren’t at their strongest. Leeds nick a win to give their survival chances a real shot in the arm. 1-0 to Leeds.

Leicester City vs Norwich City – Not a great deal riding on this one but Leicester prove too much for already-down Norwich. 3-1 to Leicester.

Watford vs Everton – A tense night at Vicarage Road for Everton, who kick-off 15 minutes later than Leeds do. With Watford’s fight long since extinguished, Everton finally get an away win to really boost their chances of staying up. 2-0 to Everton.

Everton may have beaten Chelsea but they still have plenty to do in order to stay up

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City – No margin for error for City after Liverpool’s win 24 hours earlier. Luckily, they come up against a supine Wolves side with not a great deal left to play for and steamroller them, boosting the goal difference in the process. 4-0 to Man City.

THURSDAY MAY 12

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal – The big one! It’s already being billed as the fourth-placed decider but the results in the interim mean it’s Tottenham in greater need of the three points. But it’s tight, tetchy and tense, ending up in a score draw that suits Arsenal more. 1-1 draw.

SUNDAY MAY 15

Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley – A quick turnaround for Spurs into a midday kick-off on the Sunday. They put an end to Burnley’s revival and pile the pressure right back on Arsenal in the process with a fairly comfortable win. 2-0 to Tottenham.

Tottenham won’t give up in their pursuit of fourth spot and Champions League football

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace – Not a whole lot at stake here apart from some mid-table jostling. Palace are inconsistent and Villa get back to winning ways after recent setbacks in an entertaining contest. 3-2 to Villa.

Everton vs Brentford – Another nerve-shredding afternoon for all Evertonians at Goodison Park. In-form Brentford prove a tough nut to crack and ultimately Everton have to make do with a point – which may or may not prove crucial in a week’s time. 1-1 draw.

Leeds United vs Brighton and Hove Albion – Following their tough run of games, this is absolutely a must-win for Leeds. However, Brighton aren’t yet on the beach and Leeds have to be satisfied with a point following a very entertaining contest. 2-2 draw.

Leeds United still need to get points on the board if they are to stay in the Premier League

Watford vs Leicester City – Too late of course but Watford finally end their torrid run of defeats by taking a point here against Leicester. 1-1 draw.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Norwich City – The perfect game for Wolves to get their act back together after some poor results. 3-1 to Wolves.

West Ham United vs Manchester City – The Super Sunday slot sees City with the opportunity to pull four points clear of Liverpool, who play Chelsea in the FA Cup final the day before, against a Hammers side who could have all their attention focused on the Europa League final on the 18th. Either way, you’d expect City to have enough class to overcome the hurdle and keep themselves in the title box seat. 2-1 to Man City.

West Ham have dropped back in their chase for the top four but can still win the Europa League

MONDAY MAY 16

Newcastle United vs Arsenal – A long Monday night journey for the Gunners and a tricky assignment they really need to win to keep their heads in front of Tottenham. Eddie Howe has revived Newcastle, however, and as they chase a top-half finish, it’s two dropped points for the Gunners as we enter the final week. 1-1 draw.

TUESDAY MAY 17

Southampton vs Liverpool – The ball back in Liverpool’s court as they play their game in hand at Southampton. Despite the pile-up of games, Klopp’s men are the heavy favourites against a Saints side who blow hot and cold. In the end it’s a comfortable night for the title chasers and ensures we go down to the wire. 3-0 to Liverpool.

THURSDAY MAY 19

Everton vs Crystal Palace – The game in hand for Frank Lampard’s men, pushed right to the final week of the season. Goodison Park is a rollercoaster of emotion and it proves too much for a Palace side with little really to play for. Everton take full advantage of the spare game with three points. 2-0 to Everton.

Aston Villa vs Burnley – Meanwhile over at Villa Park, Burnley are under similar strain. In the end, the Clarets have to accept a battling point following another fraught 90 minutes. 0-0 draw.

Chelsea vs Leicester City – All done and dusted for Chelsea as they easily overcome Leicester to book another season of Champions League football. 3-0 to Chelsea.

Chelsea should still have enough in the tank to finish in the top four – and also play in the FA Cup final against Liverpool

SUNDAY MAY 22

Arsenal vs Everton – Onto the final afternoon and this game will capture the imagination with plenty riding on it. Arsenal prove the stronger against an Everton side who have little choice but to scrap for their lives. The result secures the Gunners’ return to Champions League football at the expense of their north London rivals. 2-1 to Arsenal.

Brentford vs Leeds United – Despite news of Everton’s defeat filtering across London, there’s heartbreak for Leeds as a draw with Brentford proves insufficient to keep them in the Premier League. 1-1 draw.

Brighton and Hove Albion vs West Ham United – An exciting finish to the season on the south coast as four goals are shared. It means West Ham end up seventh in the table and Brighton achieve a top half finish. 2-2 draw.

Burnley vs Newcastle United – It’s delight for Burnley as they complete their miracle escape from relegation on an afternoon of unbearable tension at Turf Moor. They scrape past Newcastle, who have little left to play for, to spark jubilant scenes. 1-0 to Burnley.

Will Burnley be able to complete their miracle escape from relegation on the final day?

Chelsea vs Watford – A nice comfortable way for Chelsea to end the season as they rack up the goals against doomed Watford. 4-0 to Chelsea.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United – Ralf Rangnick’s interim tenure ends on a winning note at Selhurst Park as United end up in sixth position and various players wave goodbye. 2-1 to Man United.

Leicester City vs Southampton – Honours even at the King Power but the Saints end up a little too close to the bottom three in the final reckoning for comfort. 1-1 draw.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Liverpool come into the afternoon needing to win their game and pray that City slip-up against Villa with former captain Gerrard doing them a massive favour. Liverpool fulfil their side of the bargain with a straightforward win at Anfield. 3-0 to Liverpool

Will it be Liverpool or Manchester City who comes out on top in the Premier League title race

Manchester City vs Aston Villa – But it isn’t enough! City have been in such a situation plenty of times and use that experience to get themselves over the line to win another Premier League title. In the end, their goal difference is identical to Liverpool’s on +73 with just one point splitting the two teams. 2-0 to Man City.

Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur – An easy afternoon’s work for Spurs as Norwich wave bye to the Premier League once again but they’ll have to settle for Europa League football. 3-0 to Tottenham.




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