Final Day Preview: Dreams now hanging on hopes but all still to fight for at every end of the standing as teams battle for glory and European tickets while others fight to avoid further disaster

The 2021-22 Premier League season is coming to an end with a lot still undecided after the completion of matchday 37 and a lot of team still await the results of the final day to determine their fate this season.

It has not been a plain sailing season for a good number of the teams but some will still be grateful to remain in the fight, as some had already pounce on the stumble of others.

Some had hoped too much and ended up being heartbroken and at the same time, some became a peacock that panders to the gallery only to be brought down to earth and realize they are not that sophisticated.

The impossibly at a time became possible for some but reality later showed how vulnerable they are and some others did recover from their early season upset to make history, inspite of their stance but it's all about the standard.

Unfortunately happenings hurt some really bad, making what could have been another season where they try and build on what they had achieved in the previous campaign becomes a nightmare season for them.

Furthermore, it is a season of deja vu for some, this cutting across every end of the table but at the end of the fulltime whilstle across the UK on Sunday evening, everything undecided will be, and as anticipated, some will marvel in the wake of others.

Here is the breakdown of the excitement, taking it from the order of importance...

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

After a promising campaign ended in disappointment with semi final elimination in both the UEFA Champions League and the Emirates FA Cup, Pep Guardiola is left with only one competition to avoid a trophyless season and that is the Premier League.

The Citizens leads the chase heading into their final game of the season against Aston Villa at the Ethiad and a win will see them win consecutive league titles, nonetheless results elsewhere.

A one point gap lead over second place Liverpool is a good place to be when playing the final game of the season at home as confessed by Pep Guardiola in the post match interview of their 2-2 draw at West Ham United last weekend.

City have not lost to Villa in nine years, winning eleven and drawing just one in that time, including winning each of their last eight games across all competitions.

In fact, Aston Villa have never beaten Manchester City at the Ethiad in a league game since the takeover in 2008. Their last league win away to Manchester City came in the season before, when John Carew and Shaun Maloney scored in either half to seal a 2-0 win for The Villains.

Villa can also take courage from the fact that they ended their barren run in Manchester earlier this season, when they beat Manchester United at the Old Trafford Stadium for the first time since 2009 thanks to a Kortney Hause late winner in September.

Aston Villa’s position on the log will only change if they get a result against City and they can move four place up to tenth, depending on results elsewhere but with a loss, none of the sides below them can catch up.

City's last league defeat came in February against Tottheham Hotspur and to be on the safe side, Pep Guardiola will be looking forward for a win to see them become Champions again in England and avoid going the season without a silverware.

His counterpart, Steven Gerrard is in a position to help the club he played almost all his career as a professional footballer become the league winners by trying to stop City in their tracks. It will be interesting to see how that goes.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wonderers

Liverpool host Wolves on Sunday needing not only a win but also with a eye on the game between Manchester City and Aston Villa and the hope that the result of the game goes in their favour.

For Wolves, after drawing their last match against Norwich and saw West Ham picked up a draw against Manchester City, their slim hope of making European place finish came crashing.

Whilst they have nothing more to lose, there is still the possibility of Leicester City and Brighton leapfrogging then with wins of their own should Bruno Lage side fall in Anfield.

Liverpool have won each of their last ten league games against Wolves and have never lost a league game to the Molineux landlord since a 1-0 loss at Anfield in December 2010.

Liverpool have picked up more points than any other team in the league since the turn of the year and are unbeaten at Anfield all season in the league. Jürgen Klopp will be looking to protect this record to at least ensure that they played their part in their bid to dethrone City.

Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur

After Arsenal's failure to beat Newcastle United on Monday night, Tottheham Hotspur claim the four position outright ahead of the final match of the season against already relegated Norwich City.

Antonio Conte’s side need only a draw against a side that has won only five league games all season to seal Champions League place and the odds are on their side, as well as Son Hueng-Min’s ambition of equalling Mohamed Salah's goal tally in the race for the top scorer award.

While the Egyptian is expected to miss out for Liverpool after his injury in the Cup final last weekend kept him out of the trip to the Saint Mary's on Tuesday, and he is not expected to be back for Sunday as Liverpool want to have him fresh for the Champions League final.

Norwich has conceded the most goals in the league this campaign and on the other hand, Tottheham has been one of the top three highest scoring teams since Antonio Conte took over in November.

Tottheham won the reverse fixture in London by three goals to nothing and a draw should not be farfetched for a side that is overwhelming favourite to win and clinch the Champions League ticket.

The host are winless in each of their last six games, only managing to end a run of five consecutive losses in the last weekend’s trip to the Molineux while Tottheham have won three of their last four matches whilst unbeaten, a late surge which has seen them in pole position for top four finish.

Arsenal vs Everton

It is a contrasting finish to the season for the two teams has Arsenal a couple of weeks ago are well placed to finish in the top four but they unfortunately surrendered their advantage after consecutive defeats at Spurs and Newcastle United.

For Everton, top-flight status for next season was secured after their inspiring come from behind win against Crystal Palace at the Goodison on Thursday evening and now they have momentum to heap more misery on the Gunners on Sunday.

To make matters worse for Arsenal, they have a poor record against Everton under Mikel Arteta, only managing a win out of four games, losing the other three which were their most recent meetings.

While hoping for almost an impossible result at Carrow Road, they have a much difficult task of beating Everton at the Emirates and the fact that most of their first team players missed the last training sums up their chances of returning to the Champions League since the 2016-17 season.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

A season that started with a lot promise could now still see United finish in seventh, which will be their lowest in the Premier League era and the man which the chance to ensure this unfortunate end is the same man who led them to this worst finish in the 2013-14 season, David Moyes.

A win for West Ham on final day and anything but a win for United will see West Ham move to sixth, and United, under new manager, Erik Ten Hag will be playing in the Europa Conference League next season.

Standing in their way is Crystal Palace, a fixture which has not been one of United's best in recent times having record two wins in each of their last five meetings with Palace also winning twice.

The Selhurst Park has become a tough ground to win for away teams, mostly for the top six teams as the likes of Manchester City, Tottheham Hotspur and Arsenal were well beaten there by Patrick Vieira's side this season.

It's a tough test for the Red devils and one to define their season. United have only three wins in each of their last 13 games and it is not looking good for their chances of a top six finish.

However, they can also hope West Ham fall to Brighton at the AMEX, which will automatically ensure they finish above the Londoners.

Brighton vs West Ham United

West Ham United and David Moyes enjoyed a good run in the Europa League before their semi final loss to eventual Champions, Eintracht Frankfurt and will be looking to return to the competition next season, though it is not in their hands at the moment.

However, they will need to beat Brighton in other to stand any chance of realizing their dream for next season. The record in this tie is not in their favour but they can hope their fight is stronger than that of Brighton's quest for a top ten finish.

West Ham are winless in each of their last nine games against Brighton, drawing each of the last six after ending a run of three consecutive losses. Brighton are also in a good form, losing only to Manchester City of their last eight games, including wins away to Arsenal and Tottenham.

A tough battles awaits at the AMEX and United will surely have their eyes on it.

Burnley vs Newcastle United

Newcastle United this season become the first team to not win in their first fourteen games of the league season and still avoid relegation in top-flight history and are will now set another club record for most points earned in the league in this era.

Burnley need a win to ensure safety from relegation but the visitors have become a shatterer of dreams, earning the reputation as they virtually ended Arsenal's top four hopes in their last match.

The Magpies have improved so much under Eddie Howe and Mike Jackson will be wary of the threat ahead of kickoff at the Turf Moor but even without a win, results elsewhere could favour them and prevent their relegation.

The home side has won two, lost five and draw five in their last twelve meetings with Newcastle United across all competitions but the visitors are unbeaten in each of their last five meetings for contests ending in 90 minutes.

It will be a difficult test for Burnley, a very tough test albeit Newcastle have nothing to lose.

Brentford vs Leeds United

Leeds United have endured a horrible season, one marred by injuries and I'll luck and now they find themselves in a situation where even a win might not be enough to guarantee top-flight status next season.

They travel to the Brentford Community stadium needing at least a point if results elsewhere goes their way and should it not be, a win might as well not be enough.

Brentford on the other hand have enjoyed their first season in the topflight and they could still finish in the top ten at the end of the final matchday but a desperate Leeds stands in their way on Sunday.

United needed a 95th minute equaliser from Patrick Bamford to rescue a point at Elland Road in the reverse fixture back in December, which was their first ever meeting in the topflight.

Leeds United will throw all they have at Brentford, who has been the much better side all season and are currently on a good run, winning seven in their last ten games while Leeds without in their last five.

Leicester City vs Southampton

This is a match where there is nothing to fight for but for their own pride and to finish the season on a high.

The host, Leicester City could still seal eighth place finish with a win of Wolves lose to Liverpool while Southampton will want to avoid being overtaken by an Everton side who only managed to escape relegation during the week.

Leicester City have won two and draw two in their last four meetings without Southampton while Ralph Hasenhuttl side have also managed to stand their ground and earn draws on the last two.

After ending a run of three straight losses, which also saw them exit the Europa Conference League in the semi finals, The Foxes are unbeaten in three games, winning two before holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge Stadium on Thursday.

For Southampton, they have only one win in 12 games.

Chelsea vs Watford

Chelsea host Watford on Sunday with third place already secured while the visitors are already relegated.

Watford could however finish 20th should they fail to win at Chelsea and Norwich City beat Tottenham.

Chelsea have lost only one in their last 12 meetings with Watford and will be looking forward to sending the Hornets back to that Championship in another goal feast encounter.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi