This weekend we’ll see the conclusion of another Premier League season.
The 2020/21 campaign wasn’t as hectic as last year, but that doesn’t mean it was boring by any stretch of the imagination.
We seen Manchester City flex their dominance on route to the title, Liverpool underwhelmed while defending their championship status, and the newly promoted Leeds United impressed their way to a top ten finish.
With the title heading back to Manchester, and Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham all relegated, it’s not shaping up to be the most exhilarating final day.
However, we do have the small matter of Champions League and Europa League football to sort out for next season.
So, let’s take a gander at what we can look forward to on the final day of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
Sunday, 23rd of May 2021
Manchester City vs Everton
Venue – Etihad Stadium
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 4/11 Draw 15/4 Away 6/1
* All odds are accurate at time of writing and are provided by a popular Irish bookmaker.
Watch On – Sky Sports Premier League
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The day Manchester City fans have been waiting for, to see their club lift their fifth Premier League title.
The league table doesn’t lie, but City have been phenomenal to watch this season.
While the budget at their disposal is astronomical, Pep Guardiola has found a system and squad that works for his Manchester City side, and has finally replaced the likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero. With the latter playing his last league game for the club this weekend, after a season peppered with limited game-time.
They face an Everton side with an outsider chance of squeezing into the last Europa League spot.
The Toffees currently find themselves in 8th, level on points with Tottenham, who sit one place above them.
Due to their inferior goal difference, Everton will need to better the North London sides result to get into the Europa League or Europa Conference League next season.
A win in this one would also equal a long-standing club record at Everton. It would be their 12th victory away from home, something they haven’t done since they won the First Division in 1985.
The champions will be without the suspended Joao Cancelo. It’s reported that Sergio Aguero, Kyle Walker, Iikay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling are carrying knocks. With the Champions League final just over the horizon, we could see plenty of City players rested here.
Everton are playing with their usual full strength.
Prediction – City win to cap off a stellar season.
Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Venue – King Power Stadium
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home EVS Draw 14/5 Away 11/5
Watch On – Sky Sports Football
Somewhat surprisingly, Leicester no longer have control over their Champions League destiny.
With a win here and favourable results elsewhere, they could leapfrog both Chelsea and Liverpool, but that final Champions League spot is no longer theirs to lose. This is due to a defeat to Chelsea in their last outing, and a recent shock loss to Newcastle.
The Foxes have already beaten Tottenham earlier in the season. A win here would be the first time they’ve done the league double over them since the 1998/99 season.
Tottenham are another side hoping for a result to go their way in other games. They’re three points off the final Europa League spot, currently occupied by West Ham.
Anything short of a win could kill their chances of a place in next seasons Europa League competition and could see them finish as low as 9th.
Their away record in the league for 2021 has been abysmal, with Spurs only winning three games on the road in that time. This is something the new manager next season will have to improve on if a return to Champions League football is on the cards.
Leicester will be without Johnny Evans, Harvey Barnes, and James Justin with injuries.
Spurs defenders Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga are struggling with injuries too. This is also expected to be the last game of talisman, Harry Kane.
Prediction – Scored draw.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Venue – Anfield
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 1/7 Draw 7/1 Away 14/1
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
It’s safe to say the slump of Liverpool is safely behind them.
They’re unbeaten in their last nine league games, and really kicked themselves into gear at the right time. The Scousers are sitting pretty in the top four, while that position isn’t completely safe, Champions League football is in their own hands.
For Crystal Palace they’ll be looking to give their manager Roy Hodgson the perfect send-off.
The 73-year-old will wrap up his 45-year career, poignantly managing his boyhood club Crystal Palace one last time, against one of his former clubs.
Unfortunately for him, Palace haven’t beaten Liverpool in their last seven league meetings. They’ve also only one once in their last five away games, symbolising their patchy record throughout this season.
Liverpool still has a lengthy injury list including Virgil Van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip, Ozan Kobak, Joe Gomez, Naby Keita, Ben Davies and Diogo Jota.
Palace have also been unlucky in that aspect, with Eberechi Eze, Connor Wickham, Nathan Ferguson, Mamadou Sakho and James McArthur all missing. Both Christian Benteke and Luka Milivojevic are questionable.
Prediction – Comfortable Liverpool win.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Venue – Villa Park
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 11/2 Draw 7/2 Away 4/9
Watch On – Sky Sports Action
Aston Villa are one of the sides with absolutely zero to play for.
They’re guaranteed an 11th place finish, no matter what happens, they’re another side that has struggled for consistency this season, which has hampered their hopes of a top ten finish.
Albeit this season has been a vast improvement on their relegation fight in 2019/20, leaving manager Dean Smith with plenty to work with come August.
Like Liverpool, the Champions League spot they find themselves in, is Chelsea’s to lose. A win in this match would put it beyond any doubt, something that is much deserved for potential Manager of the Season, Thomas Tuchel.
A massive win against Leicester during the week would’ve gave them a massive shot of confidence. The Blues have also gone unbeaten in their last 12 away games in all competitions.
Villa are without Matty Cash, Ross Barkley and Mahmoud Trezeguet. While Chelsea midfielders N’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz will be subject to late fitness tests but could be rested for the upcoming Champions League final.
Prediction – Chelsea win.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United
Venue – Molineux
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 7/5 Draw 13/5 Away 17/10
Watch On – BT Sport
Wolves have underwhelmed many this season.
They find themselves in 12th place, and will finish in the top 15, no matter how this game pans out. While they were never in relegation danger, it’s a far cry from their 7th place finish last season.
The Midlands side have only won once in their last five league games. Wolves had badly missed the goals of Raul Jimenez this season and will be delighted to hear he will be returning from his horrendous head injury.
Manchester United have been confirmed as this season’s runners-up. Plus, with the Europa League final coming up, they’ll feel like they’ve bigger fish to fry.
It’s been a limp ending to the league campaign for United, who’ve only one once in their last five outings.
However, if they avoid defeat in this one, United will go unbeaten away from home all season. Something that has only been managed three times since the inception of the Football League in 1888.
As mentioned, Wolves are still missing main man, Raul Jimenez. The likes of Jonny, Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence are out of action too.
United are without club captain Harry Maguire. Dan James, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Fred are also carrying minor knocks, and may be rested with the Europa League final still to play.
Prediction – Hard to see past a dull draw.
West Ham United vs Southampton
Venue – London Stadium
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 7/10 Draw 14/5 Away 15/4
Watch On – Sky One
West Ham are in pole position for a coveted Europa League spot, and their highest league position since the 1998/99 season. This can all be possible once they avoid a third consecutive home defeat in the league.
Despite the recent hiccups, the Hammers have a fantastic home record overall, only losing on five occasions, the third best home run in the league this season.
Southampton are part of that multi team scramble for a top 15 finish.
The Saints have lost their previous four league away games. Plus, they’ve conceded the most goals and earned the joint-lowest points in 2021.
Manuel Lanzini, Arthur Masuaku and Lukasz Fabianski are all likely to be missing for West Ham. While Che Adams and Oriol Romeu are 50/50 for Southampton but Will Smallbone and Ryan Bertrand are certain to be out.
Prediction – West Ham to finish on a high.
Arsenal vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Venue – Emirates Stadium
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 4/7 Draw 10/3 Away 4/1
Watch On – Sky Sports Arena
The Gunners are finishing strong on a four-game unbeaten run, but the best they can hope for is to finish in 7th, getting themselves into the Europa Conference League.
2020/21 has been another disappointing season for Arsenal, with their home record being a real sore point for supporters.
They’ve lost at home nine times, their worst league record since the 1929/30 campaign. Saying that, they did pick up a comprehensive 3-1 win over West Brom during their last game at the Emirates, something they’ll be aiming to emulate here.
Brighton have been battling relegation for most of the season but could finish as high as 14th with a win against Arsenal, which would be their highest Premier League finish ever.
They’re coming off a shocking win over champions Manchester City. Despite going 2-0 down, the Seagulls came back to win the encounter, 3-2.
Defenders Hector Bellerin and David Luiz are out with injuries for Arsenal. While goalkeeper Matty Ryan is ineligible to play against his parent club while out on loan.
Brighton will miss key players like Neal Maupay, Joel Veltman, Solly March, Danny Welbeck, Davy Propper and Tariq Lamptey.
Prediction – Arsenal win.
Leeds United vs West Brom Albion
Venue – Elland Road
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 2/5 Draw 4/1 Away 5/1
Watch On – BT Sport
We’re getting into the games where sides have virtually nothing to play for.
Both clubs were promoted together ahead of this season and have had vastly different Premier League experiences this time around.
Leeds have cemented themselves in the top half of the table. Mathematically speaking, they may still find themselves in the Europa Conference League spot, but it’s almost impossible at this rate.
They’ve been great entertainment upon their return to the top-flight, which has resulted in questionable consistency. But that is seemingly improving, as Leeds have now won three games on the bounce.
On the flip side, Sam Allardyce couldn’t work his magic and save West Brom from relegation, resulting in him stepping down after this game.
They’re winless in their last six league games, three of those coming away from home.
Defensively, they’ve been awful this season, conceding the most goals of any team in the league.
Prediction – High scoring Leeds victory.
Fulham vs Newcastle United
Venue – Craven Cottage
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 21/20 Draw 27/10 Away 11/5
Watch On – Sky Sports Mix
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Winless in their last nine league games, Fulham are set for another spell in the Championship next season.
They picked up a commendable point against Manchester United in their last outing, showing they still have a decent side, and have the ability on their day. However, their poor defensive record and home record, destined them to the second tier of English football.
Credit to Steve Bruce, his Newcastle side looked in serious relegation danger throughout stages of the season.
They can finish anywhere between 12th and 17th, which is always a shame to see from a club like Newcastle. With their stadium, facilities and fanbase, they’re always a club you feel isn’t reaching their full potential
Who knows, they could nail down Joe Willock to a permanent deal during the summer to try change their fortune. The 21-year-old English midfielder has been fantastic since signing on loan from Arsenal in January, scoring seven goals.
Antonee Robinson, Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo will be missing for Fulham. While Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harrison Reed are struggling with minor injuries and could miss out.
Callum Wilson, Karl Darlow, Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles won’t appear for Newcastle. While Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Martin Dubravka are reported as having slight knocks, but could still play.
Prediction – Draw.
Sheffield United vs Burnley
Venue – Bramall Lane
Kick Off – 4.00 pm
Odds – Home 9/5 Draw 5/2 Away 13/10
Watch On – BT Sport
Sheffield United are the side propping up the league table and have been for quite a while.
The Blades have been blunted this season, finishing up with the lowest scoring tally by some margin.
Striker David McGoldrick is the club’s top scorer in the league this season, with seven goals. While Billy Sharp has chipped in with his fair share, the likes of Rhian Brewster, Ollie Burke and Oli McBurnie just haven’t produced when needed this season.
Burnley have also failed to impress throughout 2020 and 2021.
They currently find themselves on a two-match skid, conceding seven goals in the process.
The Burnley faithful will be longing for their top ten successes of last season. You feel a relegation dogfight is beneath them, considering the experienced Premier League squad and manager at their disposal.
Prediction – Honours even.