Tottenham face decisive day as Europe race and farewells shape EPL finale

LONDON: Tottenham must avoid defeat against Everton on Sunday to make sure of their Premier League place for next season, while the final round of matches will also decide key European qualification spots and mark expected farewells for Mohamed Salah and Pep Guardiola.

A draw would be enough for Spurs to stay up and send West Ham down because Tottenham hold a far better goal difference. However, another home defeat would leave the door open for Nuno Espirito Santo's Hammers if they beat Leeds.

Tottenham have already lost 10 of their 18 home league matches this season. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi considers the Everton game even more significant than last year's Europa League triumph over Manchester United, which ended the club's 17-year wait for a trophy.

Speaking ahead of the match, De Zerbi stressed what is at stake for the club and those connected to it.

There is something more important than the trophy and the bonus.

he said.

There is the future of the club, there is the history of the club, there is the pride of the players, there is the pride of the families of the players.

There is the dignity of every one of us.

European places still up for grabs

The battle for Europe also remains unresolved. Liverpool can secure a top-five finish, and with it Champions League football next season, when they host Brentford. That would offer some relief after a poor title defence.

Liverpool are three points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth and also have a six-goal advantage in goal difference. Bournemouth could still reach the Champions League as well. Sixth place may be enough for a Champions League berth if Liverpool win and move above Aston Villa, who are away to Manchester City, into fifth.

As things stand, the teams finishing sixth and seventh would qualify for the Europa League, while the side in eighth would enter the Conference League.

Brighton can guarantee at least Europa League football with a win over Manchester United. Sunderland, meanwhile, host Chelsea with the chance to qualify for European competition for the first time in more than 50 years.

Salah and Guardiola in focus

Mohamed Salah's future and fitness are among the major talking points before Liverpool's final game. The Egypt international, who has only recently returned from a hamstring injury, criticised Liverpool's displays under Arne Slot after last week's 4-2 loss at Aston Villa.

I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies.

Salah said in a social media post, in comments that referred to the style associated with Slot's predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

Qualifying to next season's Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen.

he added.

Slot now faces a difficult call over whether to start the 33-year-old in what could be his final appearance at Anfield. Liverpool have not won any of the nine league matches in 2026 in which Salah did not start.

At the Etihad, Guardiola is set to receive an emotional farewell after collecting 20 trophies in 10 years in charge of Manchester City, including six Premier League titles and the club's only Champions League crown. After announcing his departure on Friday, the Catalan described his time at City in glowing terms.

It's been the experience of my life.

he said.