SOCCER
Plenty Of Stories To Follow In Final Weekend For EPL
SALT LAKE CITY – What a final weekend we have for you this week. The EPL has a ton of stories to look out for. Obviously with Liverpool’s comeback victory against Southampton on Tuesday, it ensured the title race between Liverpool and table toppers, Man City, would come down to decision day. In another twist to the story, City will host Aston Villa on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium. Villa are now managed by former Liverpool player, Steven Gerrard. Arguably the best player to ever play for them.
Liverpool will host Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The battle for top four is between Tottenham and Arsenal, with Spurs in the driving seat and they go on the road to already relegated Norwich. Arsenal host Everton. The Toffees were fighting to stay in the league but a massive result on Thursday against Crystal Palace, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and ensuring premier league safety. Can Spurs hold their nerve?
A classic at Carrow Road ⏮ pic.twitter.com/eMU5WNiL1i
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 20, 2022
In the other games that have relegation consequences, Leeds will go on the road to Brentford, and with Brentford safe in their first season in the EPL, you could be forgiven for thinking they might be on their holidays mentally, but their performance in the previous round against Everton would suggest otherwise. Keep an eye on Christian Eriksen, as the Danish playmaker has come back to professional soccer after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Euro’s last year with his national team. He has not only got back to playing after his release from Inter Milan, but changed Brentford’s fortunes and made them a good team in the EPL. Eriksen is by far the story of the season, and I can’t help rooting for him.
Lastly, Burnley. They face newly rich Newcastle. And of the two teams that can possibly go down, Burnley are the only team to host on the last day. The point they got away at Villa on Thursday moved them out of the drop zone and Leeds into the drop zone, purely on goal difference. And all they have to do is match Leeds’ result on Sunday to be safe. Turf Moor stadium can be a tough place to visit, and they’ll need it to be loud and intimidating as they face the Magpies, who under Eddie Howe, and a solid January transfer window, have stormed up the EPL table and easily ensured topflight soccer for next season.
Good afternoon, @MoSalah 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/luT1zv4MKt
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2022
For those keeping an eye on individual accolades, Mohamed Salah leads the goal scoring charts with 22 goals this season, just one ahead of Son Heung-min (21) and four ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (18). In the assist charts Salah once again leads the table with 13 on the season, one ahead of teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold (12) and the three ahead of Jarrod Bowen (10), Mason Mount (10) and another Liverpool teammate, Andy Robertson (10).
For the Goalkeepers and the clean sheet award, it’s an all-Brazilian affair as Alisson Becker and Ederson of Liverpool and Manchester City respectively both have 20 shut outs for the season.
With all games kicking off simultaneously on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. here are the fixtures for the season finale, and where you can catch them.
Where To Watch
Arsenal Vs Everton – CNBC and Peacock
Brentford Vs Leeds United – Peacock
Brighton and Hove Albion Vs West Ham United – Peacock
Burnley Vs Newcastle United – Peacock and NBC Golf
Chelsea Vs Watford – Peacock
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United – Peacock
Leicester City Vs Southampton – Peacock
Liverpool Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Universo and USA
Manchester City Vs Aston Villa – KSL 5, Peacock and Telemundo
Norwich City Vs Tottenham Hotspur – Peacock and Syfy
As the curtain comes down on the season, we must congratulate Fulham on winning the Championship and returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. And AFC Bournemouth return to the EPL as runners up after two seasons away. There will be play off soccer final(s) over the coming week. As the soccer season pinnacle and usually brings the closing curtain down on the season around Europe, next Saturday, May 28th, we have the Champions League final in Paris, as Liverpool take on Real Madrid in a truly fascinating match up.
🔜 @realmadrid’s Next match:
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 20, 2022
But for fans of the English game, there is the Championship playoff final between Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest on May 29th. Fighting for the third and final place for promotion to the Premier League, also known as the hundred-million-pound game, as is the reward to the club via prize money and TV revenue for competing in the EPL for the 2022/23 season.
Until August….Be well.
