Liverpool’s top four hopes were made clearer last night after Leicester City were beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s side edged closer to securing their place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-1 win.
Taking the lead through Antonio Rudiger's close-range finish, Jorginho doubled Chelsea’s advantage from the penalty spot before Kelechi Iheanacho netted a late consolation for the visitors.
The win moved Tuchel’s side up to third in the Premier League table, four points ahead of Liverpool and close to sealing a Champions League spot for next season.
That result leaves Liverpool in fifth place, three points adrift of the top four places with two games remaining.
Jurgen Klopp’s side take on Burnley tonight, before welcoming Crystal Palace to Anfield on Sunday where 10,000 fans will be in attendance.
A win over the Clarets tonight would see Liverpool move into the top four ahead of Brendan Rodgers’ side on goal difference.
Twists and turns would still be possible on the final day, but a victory against Palace would be likely to seal the top four deal.
How do you think the race will go? Make your predictions in the comments.
A draw tonight would see the Reds remain in fifth, although they would close the gap between themselves and Leicester to two points.
There are various scenarios for how Liverpool could still claim a Champions League spot on the final day in these circumstances. But it would be reliant on points being dropped above them, as well as a win against Palace.
And a defeat for Klopp’s side would see the Reds head into the final matchday of the season needing Tottenham to beat the Foxes as well as them picking up all three points against Palace.
Remaining fixtures:
Chelsea - Aston Villa (A)
Leicester - Spurs (H)
Liverpool - Burnley (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Should the Reds win tonight, and then both Leicester and Chelsea claim maximum points on Sunday, as stated above, goal difference would decide who finishes fourth.
But with just one goal separating Liverpool and Leicester in the goal difference standings, it may be a close run thing if this is how it pans out.
There is even a glimmer of a chance that the Reds and Foxes finish on the same points, same goal difference and goals scored.
Premier League rules state that in this unlikely scenario, positions would be decided on the head-to-head record between the two teams.
And the record is tight - Liverpool won 3-0 at Anfield in November, Leicester won 3-1 at the King Power in February - but it would be Jurgen Klopp's side who get fourth while Leicester go into the Europa League.
To make things even more interesting, if Leicester hadn't conceded in that home game, then the battle for fourth would have gone to a play-off, the first-time one would have been used in the Premier League.
