The English Premier League comes to a climax on Sunday with European qualification up for grabs in a big way, while there’s a cup final in France and a potential champion crowned in Italy.
Paris Saint-Germain v St Etienne
Friday 9:10pm European time - Coupe de France final
Football resumes in France after Ligue 1 was called off months ago, with Paris Saint-Germain and St Etienne to belatedly meet in the Coupe de France decider.
PSG are in preparation mode for the resumption of the UEFA Champions League, so their squad will be fully conditioned in anticipation of that, including Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria. They warmed up with 4-0 and 9-0 friendly wins over Celtic and Le Havre respectively recently. St Etienne finished down in 17th in the league and are the clear underdogs but they are a proud club who are six-time Coupe de France winners.
Sunday 5pm European time - English Premier League
It’s the final day of the Premier League season with fourth-placed Chelsea knowing victory or a draw against sixth-placed Wolverhampton will confirm their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Finishing in the top four would be a significant achievement in manager Frank Lampard’s first season in charge, after their transfer restrictions. Wolves will be out to upset the Blues, and they’ve proven to be tough opposition all campaign. The visitors also have a Europa League spot on the line, sitting one point ahead of seventh-placed Tottenham at this stage.
Leicester City v Manchester United
Sunday 5pm European time - English Premier League
As above, this clash between Leicester City and Manchester United will also determine European qualification, although the prize is huge with the winner clinching a spot in the UEFA Champions League, while the loser will likely have to settle for the Europa League.
Leicester dropped down to fifth during the week and are one point behind both third-placed United and fourth-placed Chelsea. It’s unlikely that a draw will be enough for the Foxes to finish top four, despite having a superior goal difference to the Blues, so they’ll be chasing victory led by Jamie Vardy. United have been in blistering form but stumbled to a 1-1 draw with lowly West Ham in midweek which suggests some nerves with the finish line in sight.
Sunday 5pm European time - English Premier League
Aston Villa are playing for their top flight status when they travel to 15th placed West Ham United, who secured their safety in midweek, on the final day.
The Villans sit 17th on the table, level on points with 18th placed Watford in the drop zone but one goal ahead on goal difference. Watford have a difficult final day assignment away to Arsenal, however the Gunners cannot qualify for Europe through the league and have little to play for. Villa will need to do it without Ahmed Elmohamady who suffered a hamstring injury last week. Expect some heroics from fan favourite Jack Grealish.
Sunday 9:45pm European time - Italian Serie A
Depending on Friday’s AC Milan-Atalanta clash, Juventus could secure a ninth consecutive Serie A title on Sunday when they host 14th placed Sampdoria.
Juventus have stumbled lately, blowing a lead to lose 2-1 to Udinese on Thursday, meaning they’ve only won one of their past five matches. However, the Old Lady are still six points clear at the summit with three matches to play. Juve boss Maurizio Sarri has spoken about how his squad is physically and mentally fatigued, hence their poor run of form, however they’re confident of sealing the deal on home turf. Sampdoria have some form, though, winning three in a row before a 2-1 loss to rivals Genoa in midweek.
