The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
As we approach the final day of what’s been an enthralling Premier League season, there is still plenty to play for, in what’s gearing up to be a dramatic day at the bottom of the league.
The top of the standings are now pretty much all confirmed, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle all securing a berth inside the top-four, while Liverpool and Brighton will finish sixth and seventh respectively.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will now play in the Europa League for the first time since they reached the final of the tournament in the 2015-16 season, while Brighton’s 1-1 draw to Manchester City last weekend confirmed they would also be playing in the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.
The final European spot is still up for grabs though, with Aston Villa (7th), Tottenham (8th) and Brentford (9th) all able to secure a berth in the Europa Conference League, depending on how results go on Sunday.
But it is at the bottom of the table where things are really set to heat up on Sunday with three giants of English football, Everton (17th) Leicester (18th) and Leeds (19th) all in danger of relegation.
A supercomputer has predicted that Leeds have a three per cent chance of staying up this season
The A.I. has also said that Leicester will be relegated this season, giving them an 82 per cent chance of going down
The software has also backed Everton to stay up, giving the Toffees a 20 per cent chance of going down
Each club can mathematically survive the drop, should results go their way on Sunday.
But according to Opta, Leeds only have a three per cent chance of staying up this season, with their AI supercomputer giving Everton a 79.6 per cent chance of staying up, while also backing Leicester to fall out of the top-flight, just two years after they won the FA Cup.
The battle at the bottom
Things could have been looking a lot differently heading into the final round of the Premier League had either Leicester or Everton won last weekend.
The Foxes’ goalless draw against Newcastle may prove to be pivotal in their hopes of staying up and taking a point away at St James’ Park, which has notably become a fortress for the Geordies this season, will be a huge coup for Dean Smith’s side.
That will be a worry for the Toffees, as Leicester could be buoyed in confidence heading into their final game against West Ham, who are now safe from relegation, but have one eye on their Europa Conference League final against Sevilla next Wednesday.
But David Moyes’ side are no push-overs and considering Leicester have only recorded one win in their last 13 matches, with Monday night’s draw against Newcastle being their first clean sheet in 22 Premier League games, the super computer saying there is an 82.8 per cent chance that Leicester will be relegated.
The outlook for Leeds, though, is much more bleak, with the supercomputer suggesting that the Yorkshire side have a 97 per cent probability of relegation after Sam Allardyce’s side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat by West Ham at the weekend.
There is still a chance they could turn things around, as they take on a disarray Tottenham side on Sunday, who have claimed just five points from their last six matches.
According to Opta, the supercomputer has given Everton a 79 per cent chance of survival, while Leicester’s survival probability sitting at 17 per cent, with Leeds at three per cent
Sam Allardyce’s (right) side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat by West Ham last weekend and will play Tottenham on Sunday
Everton defender Yerry Mina (right) rescued a last-gasp equalizer vs Wolves at the weekend to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive. They’ll play Bournemouth at Goodison Park
