Premier League Matchday 38 preview – CopyBet
Premier League Matchday 38 preview – CopyBet
Liverpool have won the Premier League title and the relegation places have long been settled, but the battle for European spots has reached what should prove a thrilling finale.
Remarkably, ten English sides could be playing European football next season - Crystal Palace booked their ticket through winning the FA Cup, while Tottenham won the Europa League on Wednesday night.
Chelsea have a Conference League final coming up next Wednesday. It is possible that eighth place in the Premier League will be enough to secure European football, so Brighton and Brentford still have hope.
Tip 1: Manchester City's season has not gone to plan, but Champions League football should still be secured for next term if they can safely negotiate their trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday.
A point will almost certainly be enough for City to guarantee a Champions League spot - it is essential they avoid defeat - so Pep Guardiola seems likely to deploy a more defensive formation than usual.
No team in the league is arguably better equipped for playing possession football than City, so expect long spells of the visitors retaining the ball without risking too much going forward. The chances of there being only one goal or fewer in this game appear to be seriously underrated by the market.
Tip 2: In contrast to events at Craven Cottage, the final game of the season at the City Ground could be an entertaining affair. Nottingham Forest are desperate to revive their hopes of a Champions League place by beating Chelsea. Only victory will do for the Tricky Trees.
Chelsea have a Conference League final against Real Betis coming next Wednesday night, but Champions League football is the main aim for the Blues.
Enzo Maresca will be fully aware that a point from the City Ground is probably not going to be enough to deliver a place in Europe's premier competition. With both Forest and Chelsea attacking from the off, goals should flow. Four goals or more looks a juicy price.
Tip 3: Punters happy to play at odds-on will be sniffing around Aston Villa as they head to Old Trafford hunting a Champions League place. The fortunes of these two clubs have changed wildly over recent years, with Manchester United suffering an almighty fall from grace.
Old Trafford is awash with anguish after United's 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday and Ruben Amorim has a serious challenge in lifting his beleaguered players and fans for Sunday's Premier League finale.
Villa almost certainly have to win in Manchester to have a chance of Champions League football - and they should be backed to do so.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change. No guarantees of outcomes.
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Joe is an experienced sports journalist, who is a regular writer both online and in print. He specialises in golf and tennis, but also has excellent football knowledge.