The Premier League season is heading into the final round on Sunday, May 25, and there is still so much to play for, even though Liverpool have won the title, and we already know the three relegated teams.
With three UEFA Champions League slots up for grabs and five teams in the frame, Matchday 38 of the 2024/25 season could be one of the most exciting grand finales in recent memory.
Read on as we look at what is left to play for when the final matchday of the season comes, analysing the key games to look out for.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Arsenal were contending for the Premier League title at one point this season, but injuries and inconsistency derailed their campaign.
The Gunners had staggered into the race for a Champions League place.
However, after ending their three-match winless streak (D2, L1) with a 1-0 win against Newcastle United, the final-day clash with Southampton will be more about maintaining their place as runners-up.
The onus is now on Manchester City (68 points), Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa (all on 66 points) to battle it out for the remaining places.
A fixture against already-relegated Southampton seems like a straightforward assignment for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta. However, stranger things have happened.
The Saints held a frustrated Man City to a draw and famously did the same to Arsenal during the run-in for the Premier League title two seasons ago.
Arsenal must bring their A-game against this Southampton team to wrap up the season on a high. The South Coast club has nothing to lose and will set up to frustrate them.
The Gunners should ideally have enough to get past them. Anything less would sour this already underwhelming season.
Fulham vs Manchester City
Speaking of anti-climactic campaigns, Man City will be desperate to turn the page on the 2024/25 season after failing to live up to expectations, but must first navigate a tricky game against Fulham.
The Citizens have the upper hand in the game. Man City have won their last 14 Premier League games against Fulham. The Cottagers sit comfortably in mid-table with nothing but pride to fight for.
City manager Pep Guardiola knows that a draw in London will be enough to seal a place in the Champions League, but will urge his side to still go for broke.
Manchester City tickets will be in high demand on Seatsnet.com, with the Cityzens looking to preserve a tradition that has stood for 15 years.
They have not missed out on the Champions League since 2010 and will be desperate to keep it so at Craven Cottage, setting the stage for an epic encounter.
Fulham and Man City always deliver a spectacle. They have recorded 15 goals in their last three league meetings, so match-going fans will expect another exciting contest at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle United vs Everton
A Champions League place next season will cement the 2024/25 season as Newcastle’s most memorable campaign in modern history following their League Cup success.
Currently fourth at the time of writing, Newcastle have their destiny in their hand and can decide their fate with a win over Everton.
That will be easier said than done against a troublesome Everton. The Toffees can be a thorn in the flesh, and Newcastle must be wary.
Newcastle have not won any of their last three league games against Everton. The Toffees won once in that run.
They played out draws in their two most recent face-offs, including the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has only managed three wins over David Moyes in ten matches. The Scotsman won twice, and they have played a stalemate five times.
However, Newcastle are in fine form after beating Chelsea.
They have won eight of their last ten matches (D1, L1) and will back themselves to edge past Everton, although they’d head into the game on the back of a narrow defeat against Arsenal.
Newcastle cannot afford any slip-ups with so much at stake. History may not be on their side, but form and firepower are. They need to make it count.
Manchester Utd vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa sit in sixth place at the time of writing after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Villa Park to bolster their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Up next is a Manchester United team fresh off a loss to Chelsea that extended their winless run to eight games and continental heartbreak after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa must secure three points at Old Trafford to give themselves a fighting chance.
The Villains have momentum after securing three wins on the trot. They have lost only one of their last nine league games.
However, Villa have been struggling for wins against Man Utd. Villa are winless in their last four fixtures against Man Utd (L3, D1).
The last time Villa secured a win at Old Trafford was in 2021 when a rare goal from Kortney Hause sealed a 1-0 victory.
It is worth noting that United are vulnerable, and there is no better time to turn that abysmal recent record against the Reds around than now. They are there for the taking if Villa can capitalise.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Nottingham Forest and Chelsea still have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League at the time of writing, making this tie potentially the most crucial game of matchday 38.
Forest defied all expectations with their rise to second place on the league table, but they have been gradually crashing back to earth, and now the Tricky Trees sit in seventh place.
The home side must arrest this rot and find a way to get past Chelsea on the final day, or the season could end on a flat note.
As for Chelsea, after spending the gross domestic product of at least three small Oceania nations on transfers, they are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three years.
The Blues are desperate for a result against Forest, but their away record is miserable and suggests they will struggle. They have won only one of their last five away games.
Chelsea may take confidence from beating Forest at the City Ground last season. But their recent records are even. Chelsea and Forest have won one of their five meetings (D3).
