Liverpool took a huge step towards securing a Champions League qualification spot after they easily beat Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Roberto Firmino, Nat Phillips and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the job done for the Reds, and saw them move into the top four with just one game of the Premier League season remaining.
But the job is not yet completely done for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Leicester still in with a shout of grabbing that final qualification spot.
And there is even an unlikely scenario whereby both Liverpool and Leicester could both qualify at the expense of Chelsea.
Here is a look at the situation going into Sunday’s nail-biting finale…
What do the teams in contention need?
There is no doubt that of the three teams in the running, Chelsea are in the strongest position following their 2-1 win against Leicester on Tuesday.
The Blues sit in third place in the table on 67 points, and know that victory against Aston Villa on the final day would guarantee they finish the season in the same position.
In fact, they could even afford to draw or lose and they would still get a top four spot as long as at least one of Liverpool or Leicester drop points.
The only way Chelsea can miss out now would be if they fail to beat Villa and both Liverpool and Leicester win their final games.
The Reds and the Foxes, on the other hand, are both level on 66 points.
However, crucially, Liverpool have a stronger goal difference of +24 compared to Leicester’s +20.
What this means is that if they beat Crystal Palace on the final day Liverpool would almost certainly be guaranteed Champions League football, unless Leicester thrash Tottenham by a huge margin and Chelsea win.
If Liverpool draw, however, Leicester would sneak in with victory against Spurs, while if the Reds lose Brendan Rodgers’ side would only need a point.
Chelsea have 67 points so a loss would leave them on 67 . If Liverpool draw that would put them on 67 also, but with a better goal difference. If Leicester win they would be on 69. So Leicester would finish 3rd, Liverpool would finish in 4th and Chelsea in 5th.
It could be a dramatic final couple of hours in the three-horse race.
What happens if Chelsea win the Champions League?
If Chelsea finish inside the top four and win the Champions League – or their opponents Man City claim the crown – then the fifth-place side in the Premier League will NOT secure a bonus qualification place.
However, if the Blues were to finish fifth and then go on to win the Champions League, then they would join the other four English clubs in qualifying for next season’s group stages.
COMMENTS