FOOTBALL NEWS
22/05/2015 14:24, Report by Nick Moore
Premier League preview: Final day of the season
Another season of Premier League football comes to an end on Sunday, with the final make-up of the top-four places, Europa League qualification and the all-important relegation battle being resolved.
Most eyes will be on the United game and how it affects the bottom of the table. Should Hull City upset the Reds at the KC Stadium, Newcastle will need points in order to escape the drop.
John Carver’s Magpies are at home to West Ham and have lost nine of their last ten games. Placed 17th, should Hull win and they fail to beat the Hammers, Newcastle will go down. An inferior goal difference means a draw is not good enough for the Toon should the Tigers get three points.
There is a very slim chance United could finish third ahead of Arsenal by comfortably beating Hull and Arsene Wenger’s side losing at home to West Brom, but an unlikely eight-goal swing is required to overtake the Gunners. Fifth and sixth-placed sides qualify for the Europa League. Sixth-placed Spurs, a point behind Liverpool, travel to Everton and can move up a position if they win, and the Merseysiders – away at Stoke – lose.
Manchester City, who can't be caught in second, host seventh-placed Southampton. The Saints, fresh from thrashing Aston Villa 6-1, are two points behind Liverpool. Superior goal difference means they only need a better result than Spurs to gain Europa League football (a win, a Liverpool loss, and a Spurs draw would put them fifth).
Champions Chelsea are at home to Sunderland, who secured their league future with a point against Arsenal midweek. Aston Villa, who narrowly avoided the drop under Tim Sherwood, host Burnley, while Crystal Palace, who rallied mid-season under Alan Pardew to reach mid-table, host Swansea City. Leicester City, who had a late surge to stay up, welcome relegated QPR.
Champions Chelsea are at home to Sunderland, who secured their league future with a point against Arsenal midweek. Aston Villa, who narrowly avoided the drop under Tim Sherwood, host Burnley, while Crystal Palace, who rallied mid-season under Alan Pardew to reach mid-table, host Swansea City. Leicester City, who had a late surge to stay up, welcome relegated QPR.
