Premier League Final Day Predictions: Key Matches and Selections
On a Premier League final day that feels more like a crossroads than a curtain call, every manager is juggling the same equation: pride, fitness, futures. Ben Bloom’s predicted XIs sketch out a Sunday laced with farewells, auditions and the odd act of brinkmanship.
Brighton v Man Utd: Europe on the line, auditions in red
Brighton still have something tangible to chase. A European place sharpens the edges of selection, and the return of Diego Gomez off the bench last weekend may now carry real weight. The Paraguayan is pushing hard to start, a move that would likely nudge Ferdi Kadioglu back into defence and squeeze out either Joel Veltman or Maxim De Cuyper.
Mats Wieffer’s ankle is the big variable. If he’s deemed ready, the midfield picture shifts again. If not, the Pascal Gross–Carlos Baleba partnership, so reliable since James Milner’s injury, stays intact and Milner remains on the outside looking in.
Across the pitch, Manchester United arrive with a different agenda. Michael Carrick has promised to “respect this last game” but also hinted strongly at chances for his youngsters. Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey are in the frame for minutes, Ayden Heaven could be trusted at the back, and the vacancy left by the departing Casemiro – who will not feature – points towards Manuel Ugarte or Mason Mount stepping in.
Benjamin Sesko, still a significant doubt after missing the last two games, casts a shadow over the attack. Amad’s starting place is far from safe, with Patrick Dorgu or Mount both realistic candidates to take his spot. This feels less like a settled XI and more like a live trial.
Burnley v Wolves: Avoiding the basement
Two clubs staring at the bottom of the table and desperate for the season to end meet in a game that still carries a sting: nobody wants to finish 20th.
Mike Jackson has already warned that he will “give people some minutes” and “manipulate the squad a little bit”, which turns Burnley’s line-up into guesswork. The team that pushed Arsenal hard last time out did enough to justify continuity, yet fresh legs are coming. Bashir Humphreys, Josh Laurent, Zeki Amdouni, Marcus Edwards, Quilindschy Hartman and Jacob Bruun Larsen are all queuing up for a start in what could be a heavily tweaked side.
Wolves, improbably chasing the “dizzy heights” of 19th, may be more straightforward. Rob Edwards shifted to a back four in the draw with Fulham and liked what he saw. Those same players suit both a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1, so there is little pressure to tinker.
If he does, Rodrigo Gomes looks the most vulnerable, with Jackson Tchatchoua or Pedro Lima ready to step in on the right. Hugo Bueno could also reclaim the left-back spot. It’s marginal change, not overhaul.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal: Rotation versus rhythm
Crystal Palace are caught between the Premier League’s final whistle and a European final. With Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League showpiece looming, Oliver Glasner admits he changes his mind several times a day “from full rotation, to no rotation, to half rotation”.
One thing is clear: Chris Richards is out with ankle ligament damage and is a major doubt for Wednesday as well. That likely locks the defence in place, unless Jefferson Lerma is dragged backwards into the back line. Higher up the pitch, it’s a minefield. Glasner will be desperate to avoid any injuries, so attacking selection could be cautious, even if he resists a full-scale rest.
Arsenal, already crowned Premier League champions and with a UEFA Champions League final on the horizon, are expected to spin the wheel far more aggressively. This is about rewarding squad players and fine-tuning fitness, not chasing points.
William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and David Raya all trained individually on Thursday and are prime candidates for a breather. That opens the door for youngsters Marli Salmon and Max Dowman to start, with fringe squad members handed rare opportunities from the first whistle. It’s a champions’ lap, but with a very different cast.
Fulham v Newcastle: Searching for a spark
Fulham’s last outing at Wolves underwhelmed, and Marco Silva has little reason to keep faith with that attacking mix. Ryan Sessegnon is back in training but looks an unlikely starter even if he is declared fit enough to return.
Changes further forward are far more probable. Harry Wilson, dropped to the bench last time, is a strong candidate to come back in. Josh King, Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin are all in contention too, as Fulham hunt for a sharper edge in the final third.
Newcastle’s main decision lies at full-back. Kieran Trippier started last weekend, so Eddie Howe must choose whether to stick with that back four or slide Lewis Hall across to right-back and reintroduce Dan Burn on the left. Sandro Tonali, who tweaked his hamstring, is “potentially” available and Howe does not expect it to be “too serious”, but Joe Willock or Jacob Ramsey are ready-made replacements if he is held back.
The front four that performed well against West Ham look safe. There is no obvious tactical need to break them up, even with Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga waiting. Anthony Gordon, absent for five games amid talk of a possible exit, remains a notable omission.
Liverpool v Brentford: Farewells in the air
Anfield could be laced with nostalgia. Arne Slot refused to confirm whether Mohamed Salah will make a final appearance, leaving the stadium braced for either a last glimpse or a quiet goodbye.
Alisson Becker and Alexander Isak have both returned to training but remain uncertain selections, while Jeremie Frimpong is also a doubt. Andrew Robertson, expected to leave in the summer, is a strong candidate for one more start on the left. On the opposite flank, one of Curtis Jones or Joe Gomez is likely to be asked to fill in at right-back.
Salah’s involvement will heavily shape the front line. If he is rested or omitted, Rio Ngumoha has a chance to start a third straight game, a remarkable late-season run for the youngster.
Brentford, by contrast, have no room for sentiment. European qualification is at stake, and Keith Andrews will go with his strongest available XI. Kristoffer Ajer has started the last two matches ahead of Sepp van den Berg, setting up a straight contest for that defensive spot.
Further forward, Kevin Schade’s rest last weekend followed a barren spell, while Vitaly Janelt returned from injury and slotted straight in. An unchanged side looks the likeliest outcome, though Schade could be recalled and Jordan Henderson is ready if Andrews wants one last twist.
Man City v Aston Villa: Pep’s last roll of the dice
All eyes will be on the home dugout. Pep Guardiola’s final game in charge of Manchester City promises exactly what his tenure has always delivered: unpredictability. Expect changes. Plenty of them.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva could both start in what would be their last appearances before leaving the club, lending the afternoon a testimonial feel without sacrificing intensity. Phil Foden, Savinho and Rayan Cherki will all be desperate to feature in Pep’s farewell selection.
Up front, the big question hangs over Erling Haaland. There is a real chance Omar Marmoush comes in, but Guardiola may decide he wants his main striker leading the line one last time. Picking a City XI has never been simple. Doing it now borders on reckless.
Aston Villa arrive as freshly crowned UEFA Europa League winners, and Unai Emery admits the emotional comedown is real. He insists he “will try to be serious” with his selection, yet concedes that “it’s not easy” to refocus so quickly.
Emiliano Martinez is likely to miss out after breaking his finger before the Europa League final. Around him, a raft of squad players should be handed starts as Emery spreads minutes and protects legs, even if the exact configuration remains guesswork.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth: Safe, but not soft
With safety secured, Nottingham Forest can finally exhale. Vitor Pereira says his side can “relax a bit”, and that freedom will extend to selection. There is no appetite to gamble on half-fit players.
Murillo and Ola Aina are still out, but Dan Ndoye could be involved at some stage. Ibrahim Sangare, who returned from the bench last time, is in line to start, while Jair Cunha offers an option to bolster the defence. Up front, Taiwo Awoniyi may be trusted from the start, potentially at the expense of Igor Jesus or Chris Wood.
Bournemouth, unbeaten in 17 and fresh from an impressive draw with Man City, have no reason to disturb a winning formula. Ryan Christie remains suspended, while Justin Kluivert and Lewis Cook both returned from the bench on Tuesday. Throwing either straight into the XI would be a big leap, so the Cherries are expected to stay largely as they are.
Sunderland v Chelsea: Momentum versus muscle
Sunderland’s win over Everton has given Regis Le Bris every reason to keep his hand steady. He is inclined to change very little. A “late decision” will be taken on Omar Aldarete, who went off injured in that victory; if he fails to make it, Luke O’Nien is the obvious deputy.
Chemsdine Talbi is ruled out after suffering an injury from the bench last weekend, which tightens options further. Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg look set for substitute roles again, barring a late rethink.
Chelsea travel with more moving parts. Calum McFarlane has delivered upbeat news on Levi Colwill, Joao Pedro and Reece James, all of whom have trained since the win over Spurs and could be thrust straight back into the starting side if their fitness checks out.
James is the tactical key. He can anchor either defence or midfield, and that choice will dictate whether Malo Gusto or Andrey Santos get the nod. At centre-back, Trevoh Chalobah may replace Wesley Fofana, and both central defensive slots are open to change as Chelsea juggle minutes and manage returns.
Spurs v Everton: Big names, tight margins
Spurs kept faith with the same XI last time out, but Roberto De Zerbi now has significant calls to make. Dominic Solanke is available again, and James Maddison’s increasing minutes put him on the brink of a start.
Djed Spence, cleared despite a jaw issue picked up against Chelsea, adds another wrinkle. The key questions are simple but crucial: how long can Solanke and Maddison realistically last, and does De Zerbi rip up his attacking structure to accommodate them?
Randal Kolo Muani’s place is under direct threat. Spence, Lucas Bergvall or another option could come in if De Zerbi wants to reshape his front line for one last push.
Everton, beaten by Sunderland with an unchanged XI, may still resist wholesale change. David Moyes reports Idrissa Gueye has a “50/50 chance” of involvement despite not having trained with the group before Friday’s press conference.
The same starting side remains entirely plausible, particularly after Merlin Rohl scored their only goal last weekend. If Moyes does alter things, it will likely be at the margins: Dwight McNeil, Tyrique George or Thierno Barry are the obvious candidates to step in.
West Ham v Leeds: Must-win tension
West Ham’s last outing forced Nuno Espirito Santo into a tactical U-turn. He started with a back three against Newcastle, then abandoned it within half an hour for a four-man defence. That switch worked well enough to stick.
The shape looks settled; the personnel do not. At right-back, it’s a straight duel between Kyle Walker-Peters and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Further forward, Nuno must choose whether Pablo or Callum Wilson partners Valentin Castellanos in support. For a must-win game, the margins are everything.
Leeds limp towards the finish line, but with their spirit intact after beating Brighton despite a lengthy injury list. Ilia Gruev, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson remain out, and they are now joined by Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff.
There is at least some relief: Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle are back in training, though their readiness is unclear. Brenden Aaronson should be available despite a dead leg and appears locked in a head-to-head battle with Wilfried Gnonto for the final attacking berth. With options thin, Daniel Farke’s room for manoeuvre is brutally small.
Across the league, the themes repeat: farewells, first chances, and managers weighing tomorrow against today. By Sunday night, some of these selections will look inspired, others indulgent. The table will freeze, the noise will drop, and the only question left will be who used their final 90 minutes best.
