Will the race for the Europa League be a talking point on the final day of the season?
We know that the top four race race will be going to the final day on Sunday with Chelsea. Liverpool and Leicester separated by just one point. But the race for a place in the Europa League also looks set to go to the last day with West Ham, Spurs, Everton and Arsenal all vying for a place in those spots. This got me asking if the Europa League race will be another talking point on the final day of the season.
Tottenham's defeat to Aston Villa along with wins for Arsenal and Everton during the week really blew the race wide open with all those teams separated by just three points. Spurs and Everton in 7th and 8th both have 59 points and Arsenal in 9th have 58 which makes it look really close going into the final day on Sunday. Both Arsenal and Everton looked out of it going into their games in midweek but Spurs' defeat to Villa along with their wins has given both of them a chance of playing in Europe next season. With all those three fighting it out for that final European spot, the race for the Europa League could be another talking point on the final day.
Will Christian Benteke's form be enough for him to sign a new contract?
Christian Benteke has scored in each of his last four games for Crystal Palace which increased his league goal tally to 10. He managed half that amount in the last three seasons combined. With his contract up at the end of the season along with the form he's currently in: Will his current form he enough for him to sign a new contract?
If you look at his time at Palace overall you would probably say that he doesn't deserve a new deal because he hasn't scored enough goals during his time at the club. But with Benteke ending the season in good form and a new manager to come in, he could end up signing a new deal because the new manager could see the Belgian as part of his plans depending on when he arrives at the club. It will of course be up to chairman Steve Parish whether Benteke is offered a new deal as he will be the most senior member of the football club once the season ends. But with the way that Benteke is ending the season he might've just earned himself a new deal.
Could Tyrone Mings partner John Stones at the Euros if Harry Maguire misses out?
Tyrone Mings put in a top performance during Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Spurs in midweek as he looked solid throughout by making vital interventions when his team needed him to. With Harry Maguire likely to miss the Euros with an ankle injury: Could Tyrone Mings partner John Stones at the Euros if Maguire misses out?
John Stones will 100% be England's no.1 centre back in the summer because of the season he has had for Man City and his partner at the back was set to be Harry Maguire. But with Maguire likely to miss the rest of the season including the Europa League final, Gareth Southgate may have a decision to make in terms of who will partner Stones. Mings definitely made a case for himself with his performance on Wednesday has he kept Harry Kane throughout the game and made sure Villa went back to Villa Park with three points by making vital interventions and clearances. If he can put in another performance like that in Villa's final game against Chelsea he could potentially start alongside Stones in the summer.
Are Liverpool in pole position for that final Champions League spot?
Liverpool climbed into the top four in midweek with their 3-0 win over Burnley which moved them above Leicester into 4th but only on goal difference. With the reds having a more winnable final fixture than Chelsea and Leicester: Are they in pole position to qualify for the Champions League?
Jurgen Klopp's team face Crystal Palace at home on Sunday whilst Chelsea travel to Aston Villa and Leicester take on Spurs making their fixture look more winnable than Chelsea's and Leicester's. The reds are arguably in better form than the other two as they're in unbeaten in their last nine and have won their last four which will give them confidence going into their game with Crystal Palace on Sunday. Chelsea's are also in decent form but have wobbled in recent games after defeats to Arsenal and Leicester in both league and cup whilst Leicester have lost twice in their last three games which gave Liverpool the opportunity to put themselves back in contention. With Liverpool ahead of Leicester on goal difference and with a more winnable fixture on the final day, it looks like they could be in pole position to finish in the top four.
Is Nicolas Pepe beginning to turn a corner at Arsenal?
Nicolas Pepe has had a tough time at Arsenal since arriving from Lille for a club record fee of £72 million with consistency and form being two of the main issues. His second season has however been slightly better as he's netted 8 times in the Premier League and 14 times in all competitions which is an improvement on his numbers from last season. After a good performance in the Gunners' 3-1 win at Crystal palace in midweek: Is he beginning to turn a corner at Arsenal?
Pepe's performance against Palace was probably his best in an Arsenal shirt as he caused them problems with his pace and skills along with the two well taken goals he scored on the day. We haven't seen enough of his from him throughout his time at the club which is one of the reasons why he has received a lot of criticism from the media and fans. But his performance in midweek will hopefully give him the confidence to turn his Arsenal career around because of the talented player he is and what he can offer the team going forward. If he can produce that kind of performance on a regular basis next season we could see the Pepe that Arsenal paid £72 million for.
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