Last round for the Conference League: Brentford must beat Citizens, Aston Villa close to dream

Three clubs for salvation, three others for the Conference League. Sunday’s final round of the Premier League will be very tense, with two small teams seeking historic promotion to the European Cups. Who’s at stake?

All the cup places except the seventh are already secure in the Premier League. The Champions League will be played next season by Arsenal, Newcastle and both Manchester clubs, with a disappointed Liverpool and, unexpectedly, Brighton travelling to the Europa League.

And surprises are born in seventh place too. It’s all in the hands of Aston Villa, who only need to beat Brighton at home to be certain. The Seagulls are on a roll, but on the other hand, they have nothing to play for and the Villans are good at home.

If Aston Villa drew, Tottenham didn’t win and Brentford surprisingly won against Manchester City, Villans and Brentford would meet on points but Bees would have a better score. Brentford have a better goal difference even against Spurs, so on a points tally they will always be the ones celebrating.

Tottenham have a fairly good chance too. They need to win on Leeds soil, who are fighting for survival on the other hand. If they win and Aston Villa don’t beat Brighton, there will be celebrations in north London. That is, if the Conference League is a reason for a club of Tottenham’s calibre to rejoice.

Spurs will celebrate even if they meet the Villans on equal points. That will happen if Aston Villa lose to Brighton and Tottenham draw at Leeds. Spurs actually have the better score in that case.

Besides the already mentioned points tally, Brentford can also celebrate in case of a win against Manchester City, Aston Villa’s loss to Brighton and Tottenham’s loss or draw at Leeds. Either way, the Bees have no choice but to win and wait.

Whoever finishes seventh in the last round will go through to the Conference play-offs. Tottenham would be seeded, for the two remaining teams it would depend on the coefficient of possible opponents, but they are likely to be unseeded.

Source: Premier League