Premier League Title Clash Between Manchester City, Arsenal Comes Down to Final Day of the Season: How to Watch

It all comes down to this. A battle that began back in August reaches its culmination on Sunday, May 19, with Manchester City and Arsenal taking the pitch one final time this Premier League season to determine who will take home the coveted title.

Manchester City, winners of the last three Premier League titles and five of the past six, are sitting on 88 points. Arsenal, 20 years removed from their last league title, obtained during their famed unbeaten season of 2003-04, rest on 86 points.

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How can Manchester City win the Premier League?

Phil Foden celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester City at Craven Cottage on May 11, 2024 in London, England. Photo: Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images

City’s task is quite simple: given their points advantage heading into the final matchweek, all they need to do is defeat West Ham United and the title is theirs. West Ham is no pushover, though, sitting in 9^th place on 52 points. But they’ve been on a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde stretch to end the season, drawing against 3^rd-place Liverpool on April 27, only to get thrashed by 7th-place Chelsea 5-0 on May 5, then rebound against likely relegation victims Luton Town 3-1 on May 11. Pep Guardiola’s City side beat them 3-1 back in September and they’ll relish the chance to clinch a fourth consecutive title in front of their home fans.

City will also clinch the title if Arsenal lose or draw against 15^th-place Everton.

How can Arsenal win the Premier League?

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 04, 2024 in London, England. Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images

There are a couple of permutations that could net Arsenal their 14^th top flight league title, but they’re all contingent on beating Everton at the Emirates Sunday. The clubs last clashed on September 17, with Arsenal winning 1-0.

If Arsenal win and Man City lose, then Arsenal will be celebrating as champions.

If Arsenal win and Man City draw against West Ham, the two teams will be tied on total points atop the Premier League standings. However, the Gunners enjoy a +1 goal differential (61 to 60 entering the weekend) over City. That crucial tie-breaker would mean champagne corks will be popping in North London.

But if Arsenal don’t take the full three points against Everton, there’s no hope for them finishing ahead of City.

What else will be decided on the final day of the Premier League season?

There is a mad scramble to decide who will be playing European football next season. The top four finishers in the Premier League have automatic berths in the UEFA Champions League for next season.

Here are the current standings:

1. Manchester City (88 points)
2. Arsenal (86 points)
3. Liverpool (79 points)
4. Aston Villa (68 points)
5. Tottenham (63 points)
6. Chelsea (60 points)
7. Newcastle (57 points)
8. Manchester United (57 points)

Fifth place earns a spot in the Europa League group stage, while 6th place nabs a slot in the Europa Conference League. But there are a couple of wrinkles. The winner of the FA Cup Final is also given a spot in the Europa League. This year’s final will be contested between Manchester City and Manchester United on May 25. Because City will already be in the Champions League, if they win the FA Cup, that Europa League slot moves to the next team in the standings, meaning both the 5th- and 6th-place finishers would be in the Europa League. And that would leave the 7th-place finisher with the Europa Conference League spot.

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If Manchester United win the FA Cup, they would get that second Europa League spot, despite potentially finishing in 8th place in the league. Needless to say, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Newcastle* will be eager to sew up a spot in European football and reap the attendant revenue rewards, so they’ll be hoping to not only win their final game, but also for a Manchester City win in the FA Cup final.

Who will be relegated from the Premier League?

Unfortunately, the bottom three teams in the Premier League get shuttled down to the second-tier Championship division the following season. Sheffield United (20^th place, 16 points) and Burnley (19^th place, 24 points) are guaranteed to lose their Premier League places. Luton Town (18^th place, 26 points) are theoretically still able to save themselves, with 17^th-place Nottingham Forest sitting just three points better at 29 points. If Luton beat Fulham in their final match and Nottingham Forest lose to Burnley, they’d be tied on points. But that’s where goal difference comes into play. Entering play this weekend, Nottingham Forest has a -19 goal difference, while Luton has a -31. Not only would Luton have to win and Forest Lose, but they’d have to win by a huge enough margin to erase that 12-point goal difference. That would be beyond miraculous.

How to watch the final Premier League action?

All the final Premier League matches will take place Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m. EST and be broadcast across NBC’s family of networks, including NBC, USA Network, CNBC, Golf Channel and Peacock.

• Manchester City vs. West Ham United (NBC)
• Arsenal vs. Everton (USA Network)
• Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester United (CNBC)
• Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth (Golf Channel)
• Burnley vs. Nottingham Forest (Peacock)
• Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton (Peacock)
• Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa (Peacock)
• Luton Town vs. Fulham (Peacock)
• Sheffield United vs. Tottenham (Peacock)
• Brentford vs. Newcastle United (Peacock)