JUST WHEN YOU thought this was the most anti-climactic denouement to a Premier League season ever, this occurs to someone.
Premier League chiefs are — you’d expect — hoping the possibility of an unlikely Champions League play-off game doesn’t materialise on Sunday.
That would happen if London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea finish the season level on points, goals difference and goals scored.
As you can see from Sky Sports’ graphic, right, that would happen if the Gunners win their final game in Newcastle 2-1 and Chelsea are held to a scoreless draw at home to Everton.
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Here’s the Premier League rule: ”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.”
People always knock that way of sorting things in Spain. But I think its far more fair that way. The league doesnt come down to who scored the most goals against the 20th team.
Not to mention the excitment. To see how great head to head can be, check out the second last game of La Liga in 06/07!
Chelsea beat Arsenal home and away this season, therefore deserve to finish ahead of them if this still rather unlikely scenario occurs in my opinion.
Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League this season because Shakhtar had a better head to head. Didn’t see anyone complaining about it on here then.
@Aidan
Was it not the results V Juve that knocked Chelsea out?? Scores with Shaktar were 1-2/3-2, one win each.
Anyway The Score writers love puttin up a Chelsea story so the haters can lash into them. Probably Manu and Pool fans themselves. I know Chelsea have spent loadsa money under RA but I bet if ya looked at all the signings that were made by LFC and MUFC in the 70′s 80′s & 90′s and applied inflation I think you might find they spent to buy what they won also. The names Davenport Birtles Brazil Robson Olsen Stapleton spring to mind for Manu, Dalglish Wark Saunders E Hughes etc for the Pool. There’s a project for yous there lads.
Nope Jambiee, Chelsea finished joint with Shakhtar on 10 points, with a better goal difference.
You’re spot on with the results, Chelsea went out on away goals in the head to head. Losing 2-1 away and winning 3-2 at home, Shakhtar had the extra away goal.
Exactly Paul. Lets take Real Madrid and Barca for example. If, by the nature of their football Barca go out and lash 5 or 6 by some crappy team in the relegation zone but fail to beat a Real Madrid team who is steadily winning matches albeit by a lower scoreline in more tactical performances, twice, why should they go ahead of them by virtue of pasting a crappy team by more goals?
With Head to Head it’s all about how you performed against the team your level on points with.
This possible game would decide who goes in automatically to the groups and who is the the final play off round. Technically its not a play off for a champions league place. They’re both in if those results happen. Dont think arsenal would care less as long as they get that 4th spot.
Big difference between 3rd and 4th. 3rd straight into group stages and get a proper pre-season. 4th has to go through qualification and it stretches teams
Newcastle have been thrashed in their last 2 home games and Arsenal are on form so I think they’ll win by a couple of goals but I would fancy Everton to grind out a result at Chelsea. So Arsenal for 3rd place I think.
Wigan’s relegation completely takes the edge off of Sunderland and Newcastle’s ties. Everton have Moyes’ sending off to think about so might pull out a performance.
I think the table will remain as is. Spurs to miss out again.
Hope Wigans relegation means some of the Next Gen Villa stars get a run out on the final day. Grealish, Carruthers, Williams, Burke. Carruthers has exactly the kind of technique and craft desperately missing from ireland under Trap. Only when the auld fella is gone will players of his ilk be given a fair shot.
The pressure is off Newcastle now there safe . It would have been like a pressure cooker there on Sunday if they where playing for safety. Expect a much better performance from Newcastle
A playoff would also be required if Chelsea are involved in a score draw, Arsenal win by a goal AND score exactly two more goals than Chelsea on the day.
I agree that results between the clubs involved should be taken into account when opponents in a four-team Champions League group cannot be separated using the other criteria. Each team only plays six group games & the limited schedule in Europe cannot cope with extra fixtures.
However, a full league programme is based on home & away games against at least 19 other teams. In that case, a playoff between the teams who finish with the exact same number of points, goals scored & goals conceded is a more fair & logical choice.
In any case, the fourth Champions League place is the only issue left unresolved & Sky Sports are going to have to hype that up amongst all the other dead rubbers. As a Gooner, I’d be delighted with the three points at Newcastle. It would be a bonus if The Gunners could finish third, but Arsenal fans won’t mind as long as we go forth.
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Should go down to head to head
People always knock that way of sorting things in Spain. But I think its far more fair that way. The league doesnt come down to who scored the most goals against the 20th team.
Not to mention the excitment. To see how great head to head can be, check out the second last game of La Liga in 06/07!
A team could win most of their games 6-7 nil and would be beaten to the title as they drew against their rivals once and lost the other 1-0
Chelsea beat Arsenal home and away this season, therefore deserve to finish ahead of them if this still rather unlikely scenario occurs in my opinion.
Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League this season because Shakhtar had a better head to head. Didn’t see anyone complaining about it on here then.
@Aidan
Was it not the results V Juve that knocked Chelsea out?? Scores with Shaktar were 1-2/3-2, one win each.
Anyway The Score writers love puttin up a Chelsea story so the haters can lash into them. Probably Manu and Pool fans themselves. I know Chelsea have spent loadsa money under RA but I bet if ya looked at all the signings that were made by LFC and MUFC in the 70′s 80′s & 90′s and applied inflation I think you might find they spent to buy what they won also. The names Davenport Birtles Brazil Robson Olsen Stapleton spring to mind for Manu, Dalglish Wark Saunders E Hughes etc for the Pool. There’s a project for yous there lads.
Nope Jambiee, Chelsea finished joint with Shakhtar on 10 points, with a better goal difference.
You’re spot on with the results, Chelsea went out on away goals in the head to head. Losing 2-1 away and winning 3-2 at home, Shakhtar had the extra away goal.
Can’t agree more with you on the rest Jambiee.
Exactly Paul. Lets take Real Madrid and Barca for example. If, by the nature of their football Barca go out and lash 5 or 6 by some crappy team in the relegation zone but fail to beat a Real Madrid team who is steadily winning matches albeit by a lower scoreline in more tactical performances, twice, why should they go ahead of them by virtue of pasting a crappy team by more goals?
With Head to Head it’s all about how you performed against the team your level on points with.
Hahah, lol, if they were winning games 6 nil then this wouldn’t be a problem cus they would have a far superior goal difference, lol
What? The Spainish league is measured on head to head….
I wasn’t replying to you
I just rang a mate of mine he’s a Garda ask him could he remove 3 points for Chelsea , he told he can only do driving points
This possible game would decide who goes in automatically to the groups and who is the the final play off round. Technically its not a play off for a champions league place. They’re both in if those results happen. Dont think arsenal would care less as long as they get that 4th spot.
Spot on!
Big difference between 3rd and 4th. 3rd straight into group stages and get a proper pre-season. 4th has to go through qualification and it stretches teams
Newcastle have been thrashed in their last 2 home games and Arsenal are on form so I think they’ll win by a couple of goals but I would fancy Everton to grind out a result at Chelsea. So Arsenal for 3rd place I think.
As well as that, if spurs beat Sunderland 17- 0 & Chelsea lose to Everton….:-)
@benny the ball- and Bale to score 12, how many point would 12 goals get in the fantasy football if he was captain??
Oh right this is’nt a realistic discussion, sorry, ill get my coat.
No sense of humour Dave think thats the problem
I can see Arsenal beating Newcastle but cant see Everton drawing against Chelsea, especially with Chelsea at home
Wigan’s relegation completely takes the edge off of Sunderland and Newcastle’s ties. Everton have Moyes’ sending off to think about so might pull out a performance.
I think the table will remain as is. Spurs to miss out again.
Hope Wigans relegation means some of the Next Gen Villa stars get a run out on the final day. Grealish, Carruthers, Williams, Burke. Carruthers has exactly the kind of technique and craft desperately missing from ireland under Trap. Only when the auld fella is gone will players of his ilk be given a fair shot.
I hope your right mate. FOYS!!
Gunners will hockey Newcastle
The pressure is off Newcastle now there safe . It would have been like a pressure cooker there on Sunday if they where playing for safety. Expect a much better performance from Newcastle
I’m going to the Chelsea game on Sunday at least they’ll be playing for a win and won’t be a snoozefest.
A playoff would also be required if Chelsea are involved in a score draw, Arsenal win by a goal AND score exactly two more goals than Chelsea on the day.
I agree that results between the clubs involved should be taken into account when opponents in a four-team Champions League group cannot be separated using the other criteria. Each team only plays six group games & the limited schedule in Europe cannot cope with extra fixtures.
However, a full league programme is based on home & away games against at least 19 other teams. In that case, a playoff between the teams who finish with the exact same number of points, goals scored & goals conceded is a more fair & logical choice.
In any case, the fourth Champions League place is the only issue left unresolved & Sky Sports are going to have to hype that up amongst all the other dead rubbers. As a Gooner, I’d be delighted with the three points at Newcastle. It would be a bonus if The Gunners could finish third, but Arsenal fans won’t mind as long as we go forth.
id say the fa are looing for it! how many millions of tv moneyies will the get! will sell out wembely too! or even better 2 legs
Tottenham out of it
Everton 1-0 Chelsea 8\1, Tottenham 15-0 Sunderland 50000/1
And not to be too greedy!
Bale first goal scorer 5/1
€5 treble please!
If they draw after the playoff and Penalties, they have to have a wrestle
2-1 and 0-0. Double on Betfair.
€5 @ 97.5 = nervous Gav.
Just a note that if chelsea do draw n arsenal do win they both go through unless spurs hit double figure goals.
If Chelsea avoid defeat and Arsenal win it doesn’t matter if Spurs win by a few hundred. Chelsea and Arsenal would be on 73 points with Spurs on 72
If arsenal win they finish above spurs so a playoff would not be needed
Always though the goals against we’re taken into consideration because they list them on the table, the least goals against appear higher