Leicester City’s amazing surge toward the
title has provided more than enough to captivate this season, even if it
has deprived the Premier League of a dramatic final-day battle. Having
sealed the championship with two games to spare, there will be no Sergio Agüero moment
in 2016, at least at the top of the table. At the bottom, too, matters
have already been decided. Sunderland’s victory over Everton on
Wednesday completed their latest great escape and ensured that Newcastle
United and Norwich City will be joining Aston Villa in the Championship
next season.
That does not, though, mean that there will be
no excitement on Sunday. Most notably, the huge prize of the final
Champions League place will be at stake. Here’s a rundown of all 10
matches, which kick off simultaneously at 10 a.m. EDT on Sunday, and
where to find them on your TV.
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa (Syfy)
There
is no getting away from the fact that the season has been one of
immense disappointment for Arsenal. Still, the club can give their fans
something to smile about if they can overcome the two-point gap to
second-placed Tottenham and prevent their local rivals from finishing
above them in the league for the first time in 21 years. Against the
worst team in the Premier League by some distance this season, and
having twice fought back to claim a point against Manchester City last week, Arsene Wenger’s side should at least fulfill their part of the equation
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Chelsea vs. Leicester City (CNBC)
The
dethroned champions will be compelled to form a guard of honor for the
newly crowned kings at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Perhaps that humbling
experience will shake Chelsea into a performance, after showing only
flashes of their true quality since their season effectively ended
months ago. Leicester, meanwhile, showed in brushing Everton aside 3-1
last week that they can still take care of business despite being in the
midst of jubilant title celebrations.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City
Everton vs. Norwich City (Esquire)
It
could hardly have been made more obvious in recent weeks that the
Everton players had lost all confidence in manager Roberto Martinez.
After a run of just six points from 10 games, a 3-0 loss to Sunderland
on Wednesday proved the final straw with Martinez promptly given his
marching orders the following day. Taking on a Norwich side whose
relegation was confirmed on Wednesday, it is unlikely to be a cheerful
occasion at Goodison Park.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Norwich
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth (NBCSN)
Manchester
United had a Champions League place in their grasp, just needing to win
their last two games to sneak into the top four. But a dramatic 3-2 loss to West Ham
on Tuesday leaves Louis van Gaal’s side needing to beat Bournemouth and
then hope that Manchester City lose against Swansea. Against a
Bournemouth side that have lost five of their last seven matches since
their survival was effectively secured, United will expect to at least
get their job done.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Bournemouth
Newcastle United vs. Tottenham (USA)
A
couple of weeks ago it appeared that this could be a titanic tussle
between a Newcastle side fighting to avoid the drop and a Tottenham team
hunting the title. Instead, both teams have already fallen short of
their goals. Failure to beat Aston Villa last week meant Newcastle being
handed a second relegation in eight seasons, while Tottenham have
fallen away badly at the end of the season. Spurs, though, still need a
point to ensure second place and a finish above Arsenal.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Southampton vs. Crystal Palace (E!)
Southampton
can still claim a Europa League spot if they record a victory and West
Ham fail to win, a prize that manager Ronald Koeman is keen to ensure.
Koeman’s side have also been one of the form teams in the closing weeks
of the season, winning six of their last eight matches. They will be
favorites to beat a Crystal Palace side likely to have one eye on next
week’s FA Cup final.
Prediction: Southampton 3-1 Crystal Palace
Stoke City vs. West Ham United (Bravo)
There
must be some frustration at West Ham that a 4-1 defeat to Swansea last
week meant the victory over Manchester United, as emotional as it was on
the final match day at Upton Park,
could do nothing for their now dashed Champions League hopes. They will
now close out the season against a Stoke team that is ending the season
in woeful form, yet Slaven Bilic’s side men will face a challenge to
lift themselves after all that went into beating Manchester United.
Prediction: Stoke 1-1 West Ham
Swansea City vs. Manchester City (NBC)
Having
looked to have blown their Champions League ambitions, Manchester City
will have breathed a massive sigh of relief at Manchester United’s
result in midweek. Still, they are not out of the woods yet. Swansea are
ending the season in impressive fashion and could ensure a top-half
finish with a win, fully justifying the two-year contract given to coach
Francesco Guidolin this week. Manchester City will have to snap
Swansea’s four match winning run at the Liberty Stadium in order to
ensure fourth place.
Watford vs. Sunderland (Oxygen)
Sunderland
confirmed their latest great escape ins style by thumping Everton 3-0
in midweek. It is a case of job done for Sam Allardyce and it is easy to
imagine his side taking their foot off the gas on the final day. Still,
Watford appear to have done just that several weeks ago, having lost
four of their last five matches. This may not be the most intense of
contests.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 Sunderland
West Brom vs. Liverpool (MSNBC)
Intensity
may be in short supply at the Hawthorns, too. For Liverpool, the match
comes just three days before taking on Sevilla in the Europa League
final. It would be no surprise were Jurgen Klopp to rest all 11 of the
players he plans to use in Basel. West Brom, meanwhile, are one of a
number of sides that have coasted since ensuring their Premier League
survival, taking just three points form their last eight matches. Still,
the prize of upsetting Liverpool may be enough to motivate Tony Pulis’
men.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Liverpool
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