Premier League predictions: Gameweek 38
For one last afternoon in the 2023/24 season, Premier League teams will take to the turf up and down England on Sunday on the final day of the campaign.
It’s been another term filled with incredible drama, incomprehensible referee decisions and liquid football, with the title set to be decided as Manchester City attempt to preserve their two-point lead over rivals Arsenal.
The final European qualification spots still need to be decided, while one last team will suffer relegation to the Championship.
With plenty at stake, here’s how 90min sees Sunday’s fixtures playing out.
Plenty of eyes will be on the title race, with leaders Manchester City and second-place Arsenal both playing in home fixtures. The Cityzens take on West Ham United while the Gunners entertain Everton.
Pep Guardiola just needs to oversee a routine victory against the Hammers to secure a fourth Premier League title on the trot, though the former Barcelona boss has admitted he fears a day of chaos at the Etihad Stadium. When all is said and done, however, City are likely to have eased past an Irons side running on empty at the end of the campaign.
That would make Arsenal’s clash with Everton somewhat academic, but all ten games are played concurrently, and Mikel Arteta will be purely focused on beating his former Everton team. They should pick up all three points, even if Sean Dyche threatens to make things tense.
It’s bound to be an emotional day at Anfield when Liverpool host Wolves. Manager Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his final match on Merseyside before leaving this summer and there’s bound to be some tension in the air as the Reds aim to send the legendary gaffer off into the sunset. A late winner for the hosts would be a fittingly dramatic way to bring the Klopp era to a close, and a dogged Wanderers outfit could make things difficult.
Aston Villa have looked a little weary in recent weeks but held a comfortable enough cushion over Tottenham Hotspur to secure Champions League football. Their trip to Crystal Palace could be an entertaining one, with Oliver Glasner getting some great performances out of the Eagles during his brief time in charge.
Tottenham‘s top-four charge took a nosedive after they won at Villa in March, managing just three league victories. However, they simply must end the campaign on a high by securing fifth place, especially considering they face Sheffield United who have recouped just 16 points in 2023/24.
Chelsea‘s late surge means they sit only three points behind Spurs before their meeting with Bournemouth. Both Mauricio Pochettino and Andoni Iraola have struggled at points this season but there should be little pressure at Stamford Bridge and a high-scoring encounter could ensue.
Brentford can’t move up any higher than 15th but could land a blow to Newcastle United‘s European hopes at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Magpies are seventh and must avoid suffering a worse result than Manchester United to secure continental football next term.
Manchester United can still reach the Europa League via the FA Cup but will hope to round off a difficult second campaign under Erik ten Hag with victory at Brighton, who will be saying goodbye to manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Down at the bottom, there is one final relegation place to be decided.
Nottingham Forest made things trickier for themselves with a points deduction but are nailed on to avoid the drop, even if there is still a mathematical chance of them going down. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side take on Burnley, who are already relegated and have leaked goals all season.
However, if Forest were to lose, that would open the door ever so slightly for Luton Town. The Hatters can only hope they thump Fulham and their rivals taste a heavy defeat, but they will almost certainly join Burnley and Sheffield United in returning to the Championship after a sole season.
16:00 | Arsenal vs Everton | 2-0 |
16:00 | Brentford vs Newcastle | 2-2 |
16:00 | Brighton vs Man Utd | 1-3 |
16:00 | Burnley vs Nottingham Forest | 2-3 |
16:00 | Chelsea vs Bournemouth | 4-2 |
16:00 | Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa | 2-2 |
16:00 | Liverpool vs Wolves | 2-1 |
16:00 | Luton Town vs Fulham | 2-1 |
16:00 | Man City vs West Ham | 3-0 |
16:00 | Sheffield Utd vs Tottenham 1-2 |