Teams: no Salah for Liverpool
And no Van Dijk either, which may make more of a difference.
liverpool Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Thiago, Jota, Mane, Diaz.
wolves Sa, Gomes, Coady, Boly, Ait Nouri, Moutinho, Neves, Dendoncker, Otto, Neto, Jimenez
A little correspondence! “All you have to do is send an e-mail,” explains Joe Mahoney. “to question this choice of lasagna peak. Was it your intention to find the least appetizing photo on the Internet? If so, well done. The shiny, film-like skin on its surface appears to act similarly to shiny, colorful frog skin; a clear warning signal for all to stay far, far away. I will pass on your compliments to the photo department.
Wait, we have one fifth two-horse race. The Golden Boot! Mo Salah leads with 22 league goals but Son Heung-Min blows his neck with 21. Salah might not start today, with just six sleeps until the Champions League final. And even if he does, Wolves – despite being in terrible shape – may be less obliging than Norwich. Third-placed Cristiano Ronaldo is out today with a hip flexor injury so will end up with the bronze boot unless Harry Kane scores a hat-trick at Carrow Road.
Preamble: four two-horse races
Afternoon everyone and welcome to the lunatic asylum. The final day of the Premier League season is traditionally a time of late twists, loving goodbyes, squeaky bums and silly results (Sir Alex Ferguson managed to combine it all by ending his career with a 5-5 draw in West Brom). Today we may see a little less madness and a little more courage, because the encounter list has made us proud. There are four two-horse races left to stage, and none of the clubs involved face each other – so eight of the ten games starting at 4 p.m. have something to do.
These races in their entirety:
The title of champion. He practically belongs to Pep Guardiola, and it’s up to him to lose. If City beat Villa, they retain the Premier League trophy. But Liverpool, who face Wolves, are just a point behind them – and they came from 11 points behind on January 19. Both teams are at home today which is more reassuring for Jurgen Klopp than for Pep.
The last place in the Champions League. Leonard Cohen saw it coming: it happens like that, the fourth, the fifth. Spurs visit poor Norwich blind, needing only a point, so they can almost afford to be Spursy. Or even to order the lasagna. Arsenal, who have returned to their red card habit, cannot afford to be Arsey. They entertain Everton, who are poor travelers and have nothing to play for after saving their skins in this midweek melodrama – but they have bizarrely become Mikel Arteta’s bogey side, with wins in the last three meetings championship between the teams.
The European wooden spoon. Not content with competing to see who is Manchester United’s least successful manager after Fergie, Ralf Rangnick and David Moyes are also battling for the dubious honor of qualifying for the Europa Conference League. United, who visit Crystal Palace, are two points clear but trailing on goal difference so they need a win to be sure of making the Europa League, which is pretty much their level these days. . West Ham, who go to Brighton, seem by far the better side without having league results to show. They may have something in their eyes saying goodbye to Mark Noble.
The last place of relegation. Norwich and Watford are doomed, Everton are safe which leaves Burnley and Leeds. Both are on 35 points, with Burnley well ahead on goal difference and in much better form after enjoying the rebound without a coach. They have 10 points from the last six games, twice as many as Leeds. Burnley are home to Newcastle, whose newfound excellence is rarely seen on the road. Leeds visit Brentford, who have been superb since signing Christian Eriksen. It’s a lot easier to see Burnley get something than Leeds, but the final day has little to do with logic.
The closest thing to a dead rubber is at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea, who can only finish a distant third, host Watford, who are 19th and cannot be moved unless Norwich beat Spurs by a margin. one way or another. The final game is Leicester against Southampton, where nothing but pride and prize money is at stake. Ninth-placed Leicester may well overtake Wolves, although they could possibly be caught by Brighton. Southampton are 15th and will stay there unless Everton improve their result.
If you prefer to follow one of the two biggest games, join Rob Smyth for City-Villa or Simon Burnton for Liverpool-Wolves. If you’re up for all the fun of the fair and the unfair, stay here.