What's at stake on the final day of the Premier League?

Arsenal could in theory snatch the runners-up spot from bitter rivals Tottenham with a victory against Aston Villa, if Mauricio Pochettino’s men lose to Newcastle (a draw would be enough for Spurs, given their superior goal difference).

If Arsenal avoid defeat to Villa they will finish third, otherwise it will be fourth if they lose and Manchester City beat Swansea, due to the better goal difference of Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

It’s a shootout between City and Manchester United (and possibly Arsenal). Louis van Gaal’s men need their rivals to lose to Swansea, while they beat Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Now this is where it gets complicated. The first important factor is that as Manchester City will finish in the top five, the Europa League place they earned for winning the Capital One Cup transfers to sixth place. If Manchester United finish in the top six and also win the FA Cup, the same process takes place and seventh place in the league will also qualify.

Let’s take each of the contenders in turn.

Manchester United – Are currently in fifth place and would go into Europe’s second-tier competition if they remain there, finish sixth or win the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

West Ham – If they win at Stoke and United lose or draw, the Hammers will go into the Europa League in fifth. If United lose and West Ham draw, it’ll go down to goal difference. They are two points ahead of Southampton in sixth so a win on the final day will guarantee European football.

Southampton - They must beat Crystal Palace to guarantee at least seventh place, which could give them a place in the Europa League, as outlined above. If Crystal Palace win the FA Cup, or United win it after dropping out of the top six, then Southampton would have to finish ahead of West Ham in sixth.

Liverpool - The only way they could qualify for the Champions League is by winning the Europa League final against Sevilla. However, if they fail to do that, they might qualify again for the second-tier European competition by finishing above Southampton with a win against West Brom. However, if Crystal Palace win the FA Cup, they would have to finish sixth by winning at The Hawthorns and hoping Southampton and West Ham both lose.

There is an outside possibility that West Ham and Liverpool could end up with the same points, goal difference and goals scored, requiring a play-off - as explained here.