Anyone for an additional Premier League game?Because there is now a very small possibility of an unprecedented play-off between Liverpool and Bournemouth for the final Champions League spot.Things would have to fall pretty precisely for the event to occur, but both clubs will have been made well aware of the potential for a one-off, winner-takes-all game to decide their European fortunes next season.Allow The Athletic to explain. Deep breath, here we go.Going into the final game, Liverpool sit in fifth on 59 points, a berth that brings with it the final Champions League position — three ahead of Bournemouth (56 points). If Arne Slot’s side draw or win their home clash with Brentford, they are guaranteed fifth spot whatever Bournemouth’s result is.If Liverpool lose and Bournemouth win away to Nottingham Forest, that would put the pair level on 59 points.In these situations, goal difference is of course the usual factor to decide league position. Liverpool’s goal difference is currently six ahead of Bournemouth, meaning a notable swing would be needed for both sides to finish the season equally.
Goals scored is the next distinguishing factor in the event of a tie, with Liverpool having a five-goal advantage over Bournemouth by this metric. Therefore, Bournemouth would have to win by five goals (5-0, 6-1, 7-2, and so on) to make up that difference if Liverpool were to lose (0-1, 1-2, 2-3, and so on) — again, a significant ask.If Andoni Iraola’s side did manage that, the two would be locked on points, goal difference and goals scored — meaning head-to-head records would be considered next.Given that they both managed a victory each (4-2 to Liverpool at Anfield and 3-2 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium), it would then go down to away goals scored in those respective meetings. With the pair scoring two apiece, there is still nothing to choose between them.That would mean that the only possibility would be a 39th game for the two to fight it out in a play-off in a neutral venue. Given the season got underway with Liverpool playing Bournemouth on the Friday night of the opening weekend, it would be a neat way to conclude a memorable season.Failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a blow for Arne Slot and Liverpool (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)But wait! Following Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph on Wednesday evening, there is a final permutation to consider. Villa currently sit in fourth, but if they were to finish fifth, then it would extend the Champions League spots to sixth place in the Premier League, because the additional EPS (European Performance Slot) place drop down a place.And this is a scenario that seems more realistic. A presumably partied-out Villa would have to lose at Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s final game (a match you’d assume the City players will be well up for) and Liverpool would need to win against Brentford.That would mean that Bournemouth would only need a single point to guarantee sixth and secure a historic spot in Europe’s top competition, though if they lose at Forest then Brighton can leapfrog them in sixth place due to a better goal difference. Brighton face Manchester United at home on Sunday afternoon.All of this might seem unlikely, but keep an eye on these subplots on Sunday — the final game of the season has a habit of throwing up crazy results.May 21, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
