The 2011-12 Barclays Premier League season concludes Sunday morning with 10 games all starting at 10:00. Six of these games have major ramifications that we’ll explain. To keep track of all the action, be sure to bookmark ESPN’s Live Table, which will update as the scores change on Sunday.
There are three races you need to be aware of. First, there is the championship race, where city rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are tied, but City hold a commanding edge in goal difference, the first tiebreaker. Not sure who to root for? Consider that United are kind of like the Yankees and City are kind of like the Mets (if the Mets were purchased a few years ago by an Arab sheik who signed Cliff Lee, Pujols, Prince, Darvish, Beltre and a half-dozen other All-Stars).
Second, there is the race for third and fourth to qualify for a lucrative place the Champions League next year. This year the race is a bit complicated because Chelsea could take the fourth spot if they defeat Bayern Munich in this year’s CL final on May 19. There are currently three teams vying for the two places: Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Finally, at the bottom of the table, there is the relegation battle. Wolves and Blackburn are already gone, while Queens Park Rangers and Bolton are hoping to avoid being the third team down.
Queens Park Rangers at Manchester City
Quite simply, this is the most important game of the day. After a famous victory against United two weeks ago, City are in a position to win its first first-tier title since 1968 with over lowly QPR. Rangers, managed by former City manager Mark Hughes, need a win or a draw to guarantee a second consecutive season in the Premier League.
Manchester United at Sunderland
United need to win and hope City slip up in order to win their 13th title in the 20-year history of the Premier League. There is also a highly, highly unlikely scenario that United could overcome City’s 8-goal advantage in goal difference with a rout.
Arsenal at West Brom
Arsenal can clinch place in the Champions League group stage with a victory against West Brom in the final game for West Brom manager Roy Hodgson before he takes over the England job and leads them to an inevitable shootout loss in the Euro 2012 quarters.
Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs sit a point behind Arsenal and a point ahead of Newcastle. They can clinch at least fourth place with a win and can take third with a win and an Arsenal loss. Unfortunately for Fulham, Clint Dempsey, who recently became the first American to ever score 50 career goals in the Premier League, has been ruled out with an injury.
Newcastle at Everton
Newcastle, just three seasons removed from being relegated, can reach the Champions League for the first time since 2003-04 with a win and an Arsenal loss or a Tottenham loss or draw. Everton, led by U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, have little to play for but the opportunity to finish ahead of city rivals Liverpool, who sit a point behind them.
Stoke at Bolton Wanderers
Bolton sit in the relegation zone two points behind QPR. Assuming that QPR will lose at City, Bolton simply need to beat Stoke to avoid relegation.
Courtyard Ale House is convenient by cab or train from Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Nassau County.
We’re located right across the street from the 40th St./Lowery St. Station on the 7 train. This means we’re just 15 minutes from Grand Central Station, and a few minutes from Courthouse Square, where you can switch from the E, G and M trains to the 7 (headed towards Flushing). You can also easily get to us from the LIRR’s Woodside Station (just 3 stops on the 7 train, headed towards Manhattan). We’re probably easier to get to than many of your favorite Manhattan bars!
