Nottingham Forest's historic Uefa Champions League dream is still alive as they brace for a dramatic showdown against Chelsea, while Liverpool will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy.
As the English top-flight season comes to an end on Sunday, Forest and Chelsea are among five clubs chasing the three remaining top five spots, along with Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's Villa travel to face troubled Manchester United, whose misery was compounded by their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham in midweek.
Forest cling to a dream as the final curtain falls
From survival to soaring – Nottingham Forest stand on the cusp of rewriting history. Last season they just about scraped clear of relegation; this weekend, they could be booking flights for the Champions League.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have defied expectations this season, clinging stubbornly to a top-five place. But a late-season wobble has left them needing more than just a final-day flourish – they need favours, too. They must beat Chelsea and hope Newcastle or Aston Villa lose.
“We are enjoying the moment,” said Nuno. “It’s a big match, and these players deserve it.”
Whether they cross the line or not, Forest’s rise has already entered the record books – the first club to double their points total from one Premier League season to the next. From wooden spoon contenders to top-table guests, this is a renaissance few saw coming.
Anfield prepares to party – finally
On Sunday, Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy in front of their fans for the first time since that long-overdue 2020 title – cruelly celebrated in lockdown due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Arne Slot’s side clinched the crown weeks ago, but Crystal Palace's visit offers the grand finale: a trophy lift, a lap of honour, and perhaps a last look at Trent Alexander-Arnold. The academy product appears Real Madrid-bound, his exit wrapped in mixed emotions after last week’s jeers.
“Trent deserves to be part of this moment,” Slot said. “This is for everyone – 35 years of waiting has earned us this day.”
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes a selfie with fans as they celebrate victory over Tottenham that secured the Premier League title at Anfield on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Getty Images -
Andrew Robertson celebrates Liverpool's Premier League title win at Anfield. Getty Images -
Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield. Reuters -
Dominik Szoboszlai and teammates celebrate Liverpool's title win. Reuters -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after scoring his team's fourth goal as Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur looks. Getty Images -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal against Tottenham at Anfield. Liverpool sealed the Premier League title on Sunday. PA -
Mohamed Salah scores Anfield. Getty Images -
Mohamed Salah takes a selfie after scoring. PA -
Liverpool's Luis Diaz, left, celebrates with Andrew Robertson after scoring the first goal against Tottenham at Anfield. AFP -
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, centre, after scoring the second goal against Tottenham. EPA -
Liverpool fans at Anfield in anticipation of the Premier League title win. PA -
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scored the third goal at Anfield. AP -
Luis Diaz scores the opening goal. EPA -
Liverpool fans fly flags at Anfield. EPA -
Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool. Getty Images
The numbers are staggering. Liverpool’s 5-1 dismantling of Tottenham sealed the deal, but Sunday will be about sentiment, send-offs, and soaking up a title that means more than most.
De Bruyne's City swansong
Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City's midfield metronome, architect, and talisman for much of the past decade – will pull on the sky blue shirt one final time this weekend, bringing to a close the most successful chapters in the club's history.
Four league titles, countless assists, and a passing range that bordered on poetic – De Bruyne was Guardiola’s conductor-in-chief.
During his 10 years at City, De Bruyne helped the club win six Premier League titles – including four in a row, an English record, from 2021 to 2024 – as well as five League Cups, two FA cups, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Uefa Champions League – the first in the club's history.
City have replacements, but there is no replica. When the Belgian waves goodbye, a chapter ends – and the Etihad will feel it.
Expect one final act.
Old Trafford gloom – and Villa's golden chance
There’s an air of resignation around Manchester United. No banners, no belief, just the bitter taste of another campaign consigned to the scrapheap.
The 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Tottenham midweek was the final nail. And now United – a club steeped in silverware – could end the season in their lowest league position since 1974.
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Son Heung-Min lifts the Europa League trophy alongside teammates after Tottenham's victory in the final against Manchester United in Bilbao. Getty Images -
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou on the podium after victory in the Europa League final. Getty Images -
Tottenham Hotspur celebrate the end of their 17-year trophy drought. PA -
Manchester United's Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire with teammates after losing the final in Bilbao. Getty Images -
Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, with Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, at the San Mames stadium. Getty Images -
Bruno Fernandes acknowledges Manchester United fans. Getty Images -
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim walks past the Europa League trophy. PA -
Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson scores the winning goal in Bilbao. AFP -
Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson celebrates scoring. Reuters
Enter Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s resurgent side can smell blood. A win at Old Trafford could haul them into the Champions League places – if results elsewhere swing their way.
They’ve only won twice at United in the Premier League era, but this is no longer the fortress of old. Ruben Amorim's side look lost, limp and leaderless.
The only thing harder than predicting United’s mood? Predicting what comes next.
Brighton chase European spot without Pedro
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has made it clear: standards come before stars.
Joao Pedro – the Seagulls’ top scorer – will miss Sunday’s season finale against Tottenham, not due to injury or suspension, but a training ground issue Hurzeler says is “closed” but non-negotiable.
"Principles are principles," he said. "No compromises."
Georginio Rutter remains out with an ankle knock, but the focus is firmly on what’s at stake – a possible European place, with eighth potentially enough to gain entry to next season's Conference League.
For Hurzeler, though, the message is simple: control what you can. “The other results we can’t influence.”
No Pedro, no Rutter – but no excuses either.
