MANCHESTER - Tottenham Hotspur hope to turn the tables on bitter rivals Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday by snatching a top-four finish at their expense.
With Manchester United crowned champions, Manchester City guaranteed second spot and all three relegation victims already decided, the focus is on the Champions League places with Chelsea on 72 points, Arsenal on 70 and Spurs on 69.
Third place earns automatic passage to the group stage of Europe's elite club competition, while fourth place means a ticket to the third qualifying round.
Fifth means heartbreak and the Europa League, an all too familiar outcome for Spurs.
Last year Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side snatched third on the last day of the season with Spurs ending up fourth, their misery compounded by the fact they missed out on the Champions League as Chelsea took the final English spot as European champions.
Andre Villas-Boas's side are the chasers and will be hoping for a change in fortunes when they host Sunderland as they could end up in the frustrating position of notching their highest ever Premier League points total of 72 and still missing out.
Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle United, are ready for the challenge and are encouraged by knowing a top-four finish is in their own hands, which looked unlikely at times this season.
Third-placed Chelsea, who won the Europa League by beating Benfica on Wednesday, host Everton and will want to avoid any slip-up because, depending on how results go, there is the possibility of an end-of-season play-off between themselves and Arsenal to determine who finishes third.
If Chelsea draw and Arsenal win at Newcastle by a single goal while scoring two more than Chelsea, the pair would finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would create the need for a first-ever Premier League play-off.
One club that definitely will not be needing a calculator is Manchester United. Having wrapped up the title with four games to spare, they have been able to enjoy the closing stages of the season as they prepare to say goodbye to retiring manager Alex Ferguson.
The Scot's final game in charge after more than 26 years at the club will be a trip to West Bromwich Albion, who had to block sales of tickets for the game on an exchange website because United fans were snapping up seats in the home sections. Manchester City, who sacked boss Roberto Mancini, host Norwich City.
Reading, Queens Park Rangers and FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic have already been consigned to the second tier for next season but will make the most of their final top-flight games against West Ham United, Liverpool and Aston Villa, respectively. Southampton host Stoke City and Fulham travel to Swansea City with all of Sunday's games kicking off at 5pm SA time.
Spurs hope for gunners slip
MANCHESTER - Tottenham Hotspur hope to turn the tables on bitter rivals Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday by snatching a top-four finish at their expense.
With Manchester United crowned champions, Manchester City guaranteed second spot and all three relegation victims already decided, the focus is on the Champions League places with Chelsea on 72 points, Arsenal on 70 and Spurs on 69.
Third place earns automatic passage to the group stage of Europe's elite club competition, while fourth place means a ticket to the third qualifying round.
Fifth means heartbreak and the Europa League, an all too familiar outcome for Spurs.
Last year Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side snatched third on the last day of the season with Spurs ending up fourth, their misery compounded by the fact they missed out on the Champions League as Chelsea took the final English spot as European champions.
Andre Villas-Boas's side are the chasers and will be hoping for a change in fortunes when they host Sunderland as they could end up in the frustrating position of notching their highest ever Premier League points total of 72 and still missing out.
Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle United, are ready for the challenge and are encouraged by knowing a top-four finish is in their own hands, which looked unlikely at times this season.
Third-placed Chelsea, who won the Europa League by beating Benfica on Wednesday, host Everton and will want to avoid any slip-up because, depending on how results go, there is the possibility of an end-of-season play-off between themselves and Arsenal to determine who finishes third.
If Chelsea draw and Arsenal win at Newcastle by a single goal while scoring two more than Chelsea, the pair would finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would create the need for a first-ever Premier League play-off.
One club that definitely will not be needing a calculator is Manchester United. Having wrapped up the title with four games to spare, they have been able to enjoy the closing stages of the season as they prepare to say goodbye to retiring manager Alex Ferguson.
The Scot's final game in charge after more than 26 years at the club will be a trip to West Bromwich Albion, who had to block sales of tickets for the game on an exchange website because United fans were snapping up seats in the home sections. Manchester City, who sacked boss Roberto Mancini, host Norwich City.
Reading, Queens Park Rangers and FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic have already been consigned to the second tier for next season but will make the most of their final top-flight games against West Ham United, Liverpool and Aston Villa, respectively. Southampton host Stoke City and Fulham travel to Swansea City with all of Sunday's games kicking off at 5pm SA time.
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