This weekend’s fixture against Mauricio Pochettino’s West Bromwich Albion on the last day of the Premier League season is really a dead rubber for both teams, aside from the vote from yesterday over our formation. West Brom are safe from relegation and could climb as high as eleventh, although they are relying on several teams to slip up including Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle United. We require only a point to confirm a top half finish.
However, there are several fixtures which do carry the weight of expectations and could potentially still determine matters.
Tottenham under Jorge Jesus and Stoke City could earn a Europa League place. Tottenham are at home to Watford, who desperately need a win to avoid relegation.
Watford will go down without a positive result, as will Leicester City or Burnley, who meet at the King Power. That’s an absolutely huge game for Sean Dyche and Leicester boss Guus Hiddink.
Having slipped dramatically down the table (they were fourth in January), West Ham United are ninth behind us and they host Crystal Palace, the team just outside the relegation zone. I have to say that I thought Huddersfield were for the drop but they are now in thirteenth having won their last four games. Those four came against the league champions or rivals down at the bottom; Arsenal, Leicester City, West Brom and Crystal Palace. David Wagner has come good just at the right time because I had Huddersfield to go down.
The other big fixture is obviously Chelsea versus Manchester United. Anytime Mourinho goes back to Stamford Bridge it’s a big occasion and no wonder it’s televised. I am stunned however that Leicester/Burnley is not on the screen.
Below is the current league table with all teams having played 37 games. How will it look on Monday after we reach 38?