The finish line at the end of another action-packed, unforgettable Premier League campaign is now in sight.
The 2020/21 campaign, which has proven to be a season not like one we have ever seen before, with players forced to play in empty stadiums for almost all of it, is now just a week away from being officially rubber-stamped into the history books.
Manchester City have already secured their title as 2020/21 Premier League champions, whilst Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United have all slipped through the trapdoor and into the Championship, leaving the race for European football for next season to take the honour of providing the end-of-season drama.
At the time of writing, all 20 clubs have either two or three games left to play before the season reaches its conclusion, meaning every club is almost there in finalising the campaign.
But considering the chequered flag is now being dusted off and getting itself ready to be waved next weekend, an awful lot in the European race is yet to be decided.
For Chelsea, who were beaten 1-0 in the FA Cup final by Leicester City at Wembley yesterday, their fate rests in their own hands, as they know two wins from their two remaining matches would secure a top-four berth and UEFA Champions League football for next season.
However, any slip ups could be pounced upon by West Ham United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur or even Everton, all of whom still have a chance of bagging a top-four berth.
With that said, football.london has taken a close look at Chelsea's remaining Premier League fixtures in comparison to those who are either just above them or chasing them down in the hunt for Champions League football.
Chelsea's fixtures:
May 18: Leicester City (H)
May 23: Aston Villa (A)
Leicester's fixtures:
May 18: Chelsea (A)
May 23: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
West Ham's fixtures:
May 19: West Bromwich Albion (A)
May 23: Southampton (H)
Liverpool's fixtures:
May 16 (today): West Bromwich Albion (A)
May 19: Burnley (A)
May 23: Crystal Palace (H)
Tottenham's fixtures:
May 16 (today): Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
May 19: Aston Villa (H)
May 23: Leicester City (A)
Everton's fixtures:
May 16 (today): Sheffield United (H)
May 19: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
May 23: Manchester City (A)
Current Premier League top ten at the time of publication:
1st: Manchester City - 83pts
2nd: Manchester United - 70pts
3rd: Leicester - 66pts
4th: Chelsea - 64pts
5th: Liverpool - 60pts
6th: West Ham - 59pts
7th: Tottenham - 56pts
8th: Everton - 56pts
9th: Arsenal - 55pts
10th: Leeds United - 53pts
Conclusion:
At the moment, Manchester City and Manchester United are the only two clubs assured of a top-finish finish, meaning the race behind them is going to be interesting to say the very least.
Tuesday evening's encounter between Chelsea and Leicester at Stamford Bridge will be huge in determining the shake-up, with Liverpool, should they win at West Bromwich Albion on this afternoon, moving to within one point and three points of Chelsea and Leicester respectively.
That means that Tuesday's encounter in west London will be pivotal. Should Chelsea win their two remaining matches, they will secure third spot, meaning Leicester would have to win on the final day against Tottenham and hope Liverpool slip up in their last three matches and don't record nine points from the nine on offer, although goal difference could get the Foxes over the line.
Should Chelsea lose both of their remaining matches, Leicester would be guaranteed a top-four finish, leaving Liverpool to potentially take fourth from Chelsea.
Tottenham and West Ham are still mathematically in with a chance of finishing in the top-four, but they would have to win their remaining matches and hope other scenarios went their way.
In conclusion, it is Tuesday evening's clash in west London that could decide it all.
