EPL Unfiltered: Week 38
The grand finale. European competition places in play here on this final day of the season. Arsenal and Liverpool are already qualified for Champions league football next season and there are three more places that will also qualify this season. Third through fifth will also get in but the only problem that stands: there are five teams that can technically get in. Read this slowly to fully understand. Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Chelsea are the teams in play for Champions league. Now, sixth place finisher will play in Europa League next season and seventh will play in conference league. But we need to get into some housekeeping before we can get into the final matches this weekend.
First to fifth will play in the Champions league
Sixth will get into Europa and seventh will get Conference league
Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa this year so they automatically qualify for Champions league despite being in 17th. Crystal Palace won the FA cup this year so they automatically qualify for Europa despite being in 12th. If Chelsea win the Conference league on Wednesday, they will qualify for Europa automatically, regardless of their table position. And if Chelsea do win Conference league, whoever finishes in eighth place will qualify for Conference league next season.
If Chelsea do win the conference league, the premier league will have 10 teams playing in Europe next season.
But if they lose, first through seventh will be in with Tottenham and Crystal Palace as the outsiders coming in due to their tournament wins this season.
Now that all of that it settled, let’s get back to this weekend. Ten fixtures all being played at the same time.
Sunday, May 25th, 2025
Wolverhampton v. Brentford | 11:00am EST
This game is only getting a highlight for the sole reason that Brentford could technically still make Europe next season. Brentford needs to win this match and they need Spurs to not still be hungover by the time Sunday rolls around. If Spurs win, Brentford need a win as well and they will be playing in the conference league with a Chelsea win in their final on Wednesday. So, I think that Thomas Frank will have this boys absolutely flying on Sunday for this one. The Bees need to be at their absolute best because the last time these two teams played it was too close for comfort. This game back in October was back and forth in the first half. I mean, at halftime it was 4-2 in favor of Brentford. They combined for 36 shots and 18 of those being a shot on target. Brentford did come away with a 5-3 win but it should have been more. It was honestly a bit surprising that the Bees conceded three during this run for Wolves where they lost five of their opening six in the premier league. I have nothing to say about Wolves, let’s get the Bees into Europe.
Tottenham Hotspur v. Brighton & Hove Albion | 11:00am EST
Ladies and gentlemen, Tottenham Hotspur have won a trophy. I repeat, Tottenham Hotspur have WON a trophy. After 17 years of waiting and being the laughing stock of the Premier league, they have officially surpassed phase nine of Arteta ball from their main city rivals. Can you even imagine being an Arsenal supporter? You have a guy in charge that plays a double defensive mid, three center backs and a teenager at the back, and their only form of attack is through set pieces and counter attacks that follow a low-block possession gain. You’re promised something every season since his hiring and you’re left with nothing but occasional wins and mostly draws against main title rivals. And after the reality sets in after every February passes by, the premier league title slips away to another. And to fully make the bed for the Gunners, their little brother with a second year manager walks into a Europa league final against another premier league big six, and wins it. After guaranteeing that he wins trophies in his second season in his managerial career. Drink that one in you Spurs.
Nottingham Forest v. Chelsea | 11:00am EST
As a top six rival, I am desperate for a Forest win on Sunday. This Chelsea team is very inconsistent and do not deserve to play in the champions league next season. Forest have been right there the entire season and in fact, they even held a spot for what seemed to be the entire season until a recent run of form that caused a drop. Yes, I did say that would happen. But, I will be backing the Forest this weekend. If things go their way, they’ll be in the champions league. If things do not go their way, they will play in the conference league at worst. It is a season to be proud of. Especially after the season that they had a year ago. Think about it. They were just six points from playing in the championship this season. Hats off to Nuno, their manager. Chelsea have the conference league final on Wednesday, so it could be a possibility that they focus on winning that one instead of this one. Worst case scenario for Chelsea, they lose on Sunday and lose on Wednesday, they play in the conference league next season. If they win the conference league final and lose on Sunday, they’ll play in Europa. Question is: Which Chelsea are going to show up on Sunday? 4-0-1 in their last five for the league against a 1-2-2 Forest side that are clinging to life and a dream of European football at the highest level next season. This will be the most dramatic match of the day. Guaranteed.
Manchester United v. Aston Villa | 11:00am EST
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Manchester United lost a cup competition to TOTTENHAM! From 9th to 16th, trust the process. Sign Amorim to a lifetime contract! Cmon Villa, stay focused. Forest will beat Chelsea so the last champions league spot is yours to take. So take it.
Fulham v. Manchester City | 11:00am EST
Very sorry, Fulham. Please sit back and let us put a couple by you. You can’t make Europe so let us potentially pass Arsenal after having our worst season under Pep Guardiola. That would make my day. CITEH CITEH CITEH!
Newcastle United v. Everton | 11:00am EST
My prediction for the Champions league qualifiers are Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa. In that order. A Carabao cup and qualifying for Europe is a great season for Eddie Howe and the boys. Only Everton stand in the way of that one. Newcastle controls their own fate. It’s only Everton, don’t overthink it.
EPL Unfiltered Parlay: Week 38 (+5562)
Brentford ML
Spurs/Brighton o2.5
Nottingham Forest ML
Newcastle Team Total o2.5
Villa ML
Manchester City ML
This is not gambling advice, I’ll just see you guys next season.