The 2025/26 Premier League season reaches its final day on Sunday with the battle for European qualification and survival still unresolved across the division.
While Arsenal have already wrapped up the title, several clubs remain locked in tense races for Champions League, Europa League and Conference League spots, while Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United continue their fight to avoid relegation.
With prize money also tied to league position, every result on the closing day could have major financial and sporting consequences.
Relegation battle goes to final day
Tottenham head into their home clash against Everton knowing victory will guarantee survival.
Spurs sit 17th on 38 points, two above West Ham, after their defeat to Chelsea in midweek dragged them deeper into danger. A draw could also be enough because of their superior goal difference over the Hammers.
West Ham must beat Leeds United and hope Everton defeat Spurs to stand any chance of staying up. Even if Spurs draw and West Ham win, the London club’s poor goal difference leaves them facing an uphill task.
For Leeds, already safe from relegation, victory could lift them as high as 11th in their first season back in the top flight.
Burnley and Wolves have already been relegated, but both sides will still battle to avoid finishing bottom of the table when they meet on Sunday.
Champions League race still open
Liverpool, Aston Villa and Bournemouth remain involved in the race for Champions League football heading into the final round of fixtures.
Liverpool host Brentford, needing at least a draw to secure a top-five finish and qualification for Europe’s elite competition. Arne Slot’s side are fourth on 59 points, three ahead of Bournemouth.
Villa, fresh from their Europa League triumph over Freiburg, can secure fourth place if they avoid defeat away to Manchester City.
Bournemouth have already guaranteed European football for the first time in their history after securing at least a Europa League place, but Andoni Iraola’s side could still sneak into the Champions League.
The Cherries face Nottingham Forest and could benefit if Villa finish fifth after already qualifying for the Champions League through their Europa League success. In that scenario, the extra European Performance Spot would pass down to sixth place.
Brighton also remain in contention. Victory over Manchester United would guarantee European qualification and could even lift them into sixth place if Bournemouth fail to beat Forest.
European places up for grabs
The race for Europa League and Conference League football is equally tight.
Chelsea travel to Sunderland with both teams separated by one point. A win for Chelsea would guarantee at least a Conference League place, while Sunderland must win and hope results elsewhere favour them.
Brentford also remain in contention for a first-ever European qualification. Keith Andrews’ side need victory at Liverpool and favourable results involving Chelsea and Brighton to move into the European spots.
Brighton’s superior goal difference means a draw against Manchester United could also be enough for continental football.
Individual records in focus
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could make Premier League history despite his side already securing third place.
Fernandes equalled Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season after setting up Bryan Mbeumo’s winner against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Another assist against Brighton would see the Portugal midfielder hold the record outright. Fernandes has already secured the 2025/26 Golden Playmaker award.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is also close to another milestone. The Norwegian leads the Golden Boot race by five goals ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago and is on course to win the award for the third time in four seasons.
If he succeeds, Haaland will move level with Harry Kane and Alan Shearer for the second-most Golden Boot wins in Premier League history.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya could also set a club record if he keeps a clean sheet against Crystal Palace. Raya is currently tied with David Seaman for the most clean sheets by an Arsenal goalkeeper in a Premier League season with 19.
Final-day stakes across the league
Elsewhere, Fulham and Newcastle United will fight for a top-half finish when they meet at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle can also finish above rivals Sunderland if they win and the Black Cats fail to beat Chelsea.
Crystal Palace, who face Arsenal, are preparing for next week’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano and could still climb to 14th place in Oliver Glasner’s final Premier League game in charge.
Even clubs with little left to play for on paper still have financial incentives attached to league position, with every place in the table carrying millions of pounds in prize money.
With European qualification, survival and individual records all still on the line, the Premier League season is set for a dramatic finish.
ALSO READ: Arsenal win Premier League for first time in 22 years
