If, like me, you’re a bit rubbish at maths, you’ve probably been confusing yourself by poring over the Premier League table in an attempt to work out every possible outcome of Tottenham’s final week.
I figured the best way to surpass that confusion would be to write it down, so that’s what I’ve done below – not only for myself, but for you, reader.
It’s still a bit confusing, but bear with me…
As it stands:
3rd Liverpool: P37, 72 points, +42 GD. Fixtures: Brighton (H)
4th Tottenham: P36, 71 points, +36 GD. Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Leicester (H)
5th Chelsea: P36, 69 points, +27 GD. Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A)
If Spurs beat Newcastle and Leicester…
…they will finish third above both Liverpool and Chelsea. (Spurs could even finish second on goal difference if Manchester United lose both their remaining fixtures.)
If Spurs win one and draw one…
…they will finish above Chelsea unless Chelsea win both their games AND turn around a goal difference swing of at least ten, and they will finish above Liverpool if Liverpool drop points against Brighton.
If Spurs win one and lose one…
…they will be relying on Chelsea dropping points against either Huddersfield OR Newcastle, or Liverpool dropping points against Brighton.
If Spurs draw both games…
…they will be relying on Liverpool losing against Brighton, or Chelsea dropping points against either Huddersfield OR Newcastle (although four points will see Chelsea finish higher if they also turn around a goal difference swing of nine).
If Spurs draw one and lose one…
…they will be relying on Liverpool losing heavily to Brighton, or Chelsea dropping points against Huddersfield OR Newcastle (although three points will see Chelsea finish higher if they also turn around a goal difference swing of eight at most).
If Spurs lose both games…
…they will be relying on Chelsea dropping points against Huddersfield AND Newcastle (although two points will see Chelsea finish higher if Spurs lose heavily).
What I think will happen…
Call me a pessimist AND an optimist: I think Chelsea and Liverpool will win their remaining games, and Tottenham will take four points from six. That would very likely result in a fourth place finish above Chelsea on goal difference and below Liverpool on goal difference.
I’m not sure I’m ready for the final day nerves…
Just get on with it!win the games third is definitely on if the lads play the game they are capable of.
Come on e Spurs!
We will win both….Wba result could be a blessing in disguise…imagine if we had beat Wba and then lose ag Newc and Leicester…
It’s good to know the permutations, but let’s face it, if we can’t win 2 home games against mid-table sides, we don’t deserve CL football end of!
I agree with Steve Smyrk hundred percent COYS
Thanks, but if people cannot work out the points available for each of three teams at this stage of the season, then they probably would not be able to understand your article.
Of course, I am hoping they will win the last two and clinch third.