The Premier League title race will go down to the final days after wins for both Arsenal and Manchester City at the weekend.
Mikel Arteta's side beat Bournemouth 3-0 at the Emirates before the reigning champions responded with a 5-1 thumping of Wolves to leave one point between them. City have a game in hand going into the final week, meaning that there will be five Premier League sides capable of having a decisive say in the title race.
They all have their own motivations in their final matches of the campaign, although some are stronger than others. Ahead of the climax of the season, here are what City and Arsenal's opponents have left to play for.
Saturday, May 11, 12.30pm: FULHAM vs City If you were picking a side that had less to play for than anyone else, nobody would grumble with Fulham. Marco Silva's side are 13th in the league, safe from relegation but also too far away from hopes of European qualification.
There is the potential for them to climb four places in the table if they win both of their remaining games (they finish at Luton), and in these PSR-obsessed times the PS3.1m per league place that was handed out last season is certainly attractive. However, that will rely on other teams and Fulham's goalless draw at home to Brentford at the weekend did little to suggest that the West London side are pushing for more.
Sunday, May 12, 4.30pm: UNITED vs Arsenal Having effectively ended Jurgen Klopp's hopes in the FA Cup and Premier League, can United pave the way for City success? Erik ten Hag's side are more than capable of springing a surprise but it would register as that given how much better Arsenal have been in the league this season.
United's inability to avoid injuries is continuing into the final weeks of the season with Harry Maguire the latest defender to be ruled out, but they are in the middle of a dogfight for the European qualification spots as Ten Hag looks to prove he is the man for the job. Ahead of their Monday game at Crystal Palace, United are eighth - outside the limit for either the Europa League or the Conference League.
That trip to Selhurst Park is their game in hand on Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea and they could yet catch all of them and finish fifth but, equally, eighth is a very real possibility with their other matches at home to rivals Newcastle and away to the dangerous Brighton.
In what could end up being Ten Hag's penultimate match at Old Trafford, they won't want to leave the prospect of European qualification resting on their FA Cup final against City.
Tuesday, May 14, 8pm: SPURS vs City Spurs have been in the thick of the top-four race all season but have slumped badly in the final months of the season. They have lost their last four league games in a row, conceding 13 goals in the process, to leave them clinging onto fifth rather than hoping for fourth.
Ange Postecoglou's side can still catch Villa in fourth but even wins in their remaining three games wouldn't be enough if Villa win one of their last two. More realistically, two wins would guarantee fifth spot and four points may well be enough.
Spurs will be looking at their home game with relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday and trip to relegation-confirmed Sheffield United on the final day of the season for their points needed, although City have never scored a Premier League goal at their stadium since it opened in 2019 and the sooner they can box off European qualification the better. As hard as the players will be trying, some of the fans may not be too disappointed with a City win that hurts Arsenal's chances of silverware.
Sunday, May 19, 4pm: Arsenal vs EVERTON, City vs WEST HAM If Arsenal can win at Old Trafford they will have full confidence for their final game of the season at home to Everton. They have won 14 of their 18 league matches at the Emirates this season and Sean Dyche's men have nothing left to prove after confirming their place in next season's Premier League.
Dyche's men are in good form with three wins and a draw from their last four games and Sheffield United are next up before they head to Arsenal; they will be more keen than most for the extra prize money that comes with finishing higher up the table. However, their position is not as critical as it recently was and won't be as significant as Arsenal's.
West Ham are in horrible form, with three defeats and a draw from their last four games that has included shipping five goals to both Chelsea and Crystal Palace. It is threatening to turn sour with no clarity on David Moyes's future with the club reportedly lining up his replacement.
Recent form means they are all but out of the race for European football, even with a home game against Luton to come before the final day. Moyes will want to go out with a bang if the Etihad is to be his last match in charge, although he recently cited the absence of Declan Rice as the reason they have conceded so many goals away from home and Arsenal aren't able to loan him back for the last day.
If the title race goes to the final day, it is difficult to see the lead changing hands unless one of the contenders crumbles under the pressure.
