The Premier League limps into its final day today with little to be decided: the identity or the top two and the bottom three are known, meaning that the only true thing to play for is Champions League qualification.
'Three into two won't go' scream various headlines today, with Arsenal hovering on the outer reaches of the top four, Man City and Liverpool ahead of them.
Should both win, both will qualify for next season's Champions League, and Arsenal will be left in the group stages of the Europa League. Should either slip up, an Arsenal win against Everton will be enough to sneak into the top four yet again.
Here are the permutations. Manchester City are guaranteed qualification once they avoid defeat away to Watford. Liverpool are in once they better Arsenal's result. Draw at home to Middlesborough, however, and an Arsenal win at home to Everton will see Klopp's team slide into the Europa League.
There is a slight possibility of Champions League qualification being decided by a play-off, however. If teams finish level on points, goal difference, and goals scored, teams must play-off to decide who finishes ahead of whom. If it's going to be Liverpool v Arsenal, here are the Champions League play-off permutations:
Champions League Play-Off Permutations
Liverpool 0-2 Middlesborough
Arsenal 1-1 Everton
And if it's going to be Manchester City v Arsenal:
Watford 4 - 0 Man City
Arsenal 1 -0 Everton
Should either of those scenarios come into play, the play-off will be played at a neutral ground. There's an interesting twist to that game, however, as revealed by Sunday Times journalist Jonathan Northcroft.
It will be a regular Premier League game, so were the game to end as a draw after 90 minutes...it would go to a replay. And if that were to end as a draw, the replay would then....go to a replay. And so on, until there is a winner.
So if Liverpool, Arsenal, City need a play off...no extra-time or pens. It'd be a normal league game and if draw they play again. And again. pic.twitter.com/QZLETj3q0C
— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) May 21, 2017
Liverpool have evidently not planned in needing the play-off: they are off to Australia for a post-season friendly on Wednesday.
