The 2021/22 Premier League is into its last seven days and nothing has been settled.
Absolutely nothing!
Take a look at the league table as we clean up the 37th round of the campaign and you can see that the title, the top four places, the Europa League race and the relegation scrap can all still take another twist.
Despite drawing away to West Ham, Manchester City are still in the box seat and the Premier League 2022 betting odds reckon the title is on the way to the Etihad, but Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, four points behind, have a game in hand and refuse to be shaken off.
On Monday night Newcastle United gave their home fans a brilliant send-off while putting a huge dent in Arsenal’s Champions League hopes with a well-earned 2-0 win. Mikel Arteta’s side have been in the box seat to take that coveted fourth place, but it seems they may have choked in the home straight as a Ben White own goal and a late second from Bruno Guimaraes left their European dreams in tatters.
Arsenal now trail Antonio Conte’s Spurs by two points and with a much worse goal difference, so while they have a very winnable last game at home to Everton on Sunday, they must hope that somehow relegated Norwich City can beat Tottenham!
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka said that the Gunners did not deserve a Champions League spot after their limp display at St James’ Park and the club’s distraught fans might well believe him. but to lose the place to Spurs will be a bitter pill to swallow.
The Europa League places aren’t entirely settled. Seventh-placed West Ham cannot be caught, but the Hammers could sneak past Manchester United into sixth and that is likely to determine which side is in the 2022/23 Europa League and which is in the Conference League.
This week’s big games
While nothing will be settled, in terms of all the European places, before the final round on Sunday, Chelsea can confirm third place with a win at home to Leicester City on Thursday.
And there are three huge clashes which could determine the outcomes at the top and the very bottom of the leagues.
On Tuesday night Liverpool visit Southampton, needing a win to keep alive their hopes of ambushing Manchester City’s title charge and the Reds are at SBOTOP odds of 1.36 to keep their challenge going.
Klopp’s men have a seven-goal disadvantage on goal difference, and a draw would almost certainly mean the title will be the Sky Blues’, and Pep Guardiola has joked he is hoping for a 4-0 Southampton win. Liverpool fans will hope that key men Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will be fit to play after they were substituted in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
Southampton’s biggest threat comes from the world-class dead-ball delivery of James Ward-Prowse, so the Reds will be careful not to give away unnecessary free-kicks in around the penalty area.
Alongside Chelsea’s clash with Leicester City there are two colossal games on Thursday night which might go a long way towards settling the relegation battle. There could easily be another huge twist and Leeds United fans will be watching the Premier League 2022 updates nervously as Everton host Crystal Palace and Burnley visit Aston Villa.
The Toffees are priced at 1.99 to get the win they desperately need to guarantee their top flight survival, while the Clarets are priced at 1.64 to avoid defeat against Steven Gerrard’s side.
It really is a case of one from three to join Watford and Norwich City in the Championship, and who will drop is anybody’s guess.
Frank Lampard’s Everton probably have the best chance of survival as they sit one point ahead of Leeds and two points ahead of 18th placed Burnley. Should the Toffees beat Crystal Palace then they are safe. But the way they failed to beat doomed Watford last week, and then imploded to lose at home to Brentford on Sunday their fans are understandably nervous, particularly as they play away to Arsenal on the last day.
Should the Toffees win one point or less, then Leeds can overtake them by beating Brentford on the final day.
Burnley also have two bites of the cherry and the best goal difference. The Clarets were unlucky to lose away to Spurs on Sunday and have won three of the last five. Their two final opponents, Aston Villa and Newcastle, have little to play for, but that does not mean that Mike Jackson’s team will get the point, or points, they need easily.
It’s going to be a nail-biting few days…but we love it!
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