Nail-biting would be an understatement as both the Serie A and the Premier League head into the final game week of the season to determine who reigns supreme in both leagues.
After Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday night, just one point separates defending champions Manchester City and Quadruple chasers Liverpool with the latter hosting Wolves at Anfield and City welcoming Gerrard’s Aston Villa at the Etihad in what promises to be a mouthwatering season finale. After being bundled out by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, City were left with only the league title to fight for while Klopp’s army are hunting for their third trophy this season and just their second league title in 30 years.
However, Jurgen Klopp downplayed their prospects of snatching the league from Manchester City but insisted that they will fight to the end. “We’ve never given up. We’ll give it a try, It’s our home game, last home game of season. The atmosphere will be outstanding. We’ll try to use it. We have to do our job. Football is a tricky game sometimes. Aston Villa play on Thursday and then Sunday,” he said. His counterpart Pep Guardiola remains optimistic amid the pressure going into the final day. “It will not be easy. there will be a lot of emotions. We have to train calm and arrive fresh. I assure you something: it will be sold out in the Etihad Stadium and we’ll do the best performance possible to win the game and win the title,” he said.
All Premier League matches will kick off at 1800Hrs on Sunday with everything to fight for from the Championship to the top four race and the relegation battle. Manchester City have to match Liverpool’s result against Wolves to win the title.
SERIE A SCUDETTO BATTLE
After years of Juventus dominance, a draw will be enough to hand AC Milan their first Scudetto in 11 years at the expense of city rivals and defending champions Inter Milan.
AC Milan travel to Sassoulo on the final day as Inter Milan host Sampdoria at the Sansiro on Sunday 1900Hrs in what promises to be a grandstand finale. Milan lost to Sassoulo while Inter Milan drew 2-2 with Sampdoria in the reverse fixtures this season thus predicting how tough of a battle the title decider is promising to be in the final game week of the season.
Considered as underdogs by pundits at the beginning of the season, rejuvenated Milan are on the drivers seat and on the brink of securing just their third league title since the turn of the century having won the Scudetto in 2004 and 2011. Inter Milan on the other side hope to overcome Sampdoria and Milan to slip up for them to reclaim the league title. However, for AC Milan any positive result is enough to win the title.
RACE FOR PL TOP FOUR
Another intriguing battle is the race for European football next season as the Gunners gunned down by Newcastle on Monday fight it out with Tottenham Hotspurs who currently sit fourth, two points ahead of Arsenal with one game to go. Arsenal’s lack of consistency might just have costed them a place in the coveted UEFA Champions League football after losing two games in a row just weeks after dismantling Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham and Leeds United consecutively.
The gunners who are staring at six years without Champions League football can only do their best against Everton and hope that relegated Norwich can pull a surprise against Spurs who need just a draw on the final day to seal a Champions league spot.
THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
Everton, Leeds United and Burnley are on the opposite end of the table battling for survival with one more team set to join Norwich and Watford in the Championship next season. Interestingly, all the three teams have been on an upward trajectory in recent weeks with crucial wins. However, Everton have tough games on paper against Crystal Palace and Arsenal in comparison to their opponents who have relatively easier final day fixtures.
The toffees are currently 16th having played 36 games, just two points ahead of Burnley in 18th who also have two games remaining. Leeds are sandwiched in between on 35 points having played one more game than both sides.
Amidst the final day drama and fights in the title race, the final UCL spot and the relegation battle just who will have the last laugh?
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