Current EPL season is not willing to lose its charm despite entering into the last leg of matches. This season has been more popular for third and fourth places than first and second ones, coz throughout the league; first two positions were secured by United and City while it was a kind of flip flop for the rest two positions in the top four. Third position is important coz its placeholder will automatically be qualified for the Championship league group stage while fourth placeholder will also impart in another Championship qualifying round. Chelsea has been in news for his temporary manager who has announced to finish on the top four, but a third position will be more suited to fulfill his ambitions despite the fact that he is going to leave Blues after this season. At the moment, Chelsea is comfortable at third place while Arsenal is closely following it at fourth place and both of them have one match to play. Interestingly, final matches can not only decide their faith but the faith of each other too, coz as per a calculation, if Chelsea could only draw the last match, and on the other hand, if Arsenal could manage to win its last match by minimum 2-1, it would be a tie situation for both clubs in terms of points, goal difference, and goals scored.
According to EPL rules, “If at the end of the season… the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board,” hence a playoff between these two teams will be played on a neutral ground. This will create even more problems for everybody, coz both these teams have their own predefined schedules after EPL, hence it would be very difficult to snatch a day for the playoff. At the moment, EPL spokesman has only confirmed that “It (possible playoff) would be played at a neutral ground on a date and venue to be determined.”
As per the current lined up schedule, Chelsea has to go to USA to play two friendlies with Manchester City followed by two England’s friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil while the Gunners have to travel to Newcastle post EPL. Let’s hope something interesting at the end of EPL!