The FA Cup Final is here, and with it comes the final stretch of the Premier League season—a time when every result matters, and the race for European spots heats up. Let's dive into the key matchups and storylines from Week 36.
FA Cup Final: Man City vs. Chelsea (90 minutes only)
This is a classic case of "which Chelsea shows up?" You just never know with this squad. They could get humiliated at Wembley, or they could rise to the occasion because a medal is on the line. Their only win in the last six fixtures came in the semi-final, which says a lot about their inconsistency. Man City, meanwhile, are aiming for a record fourth consecutive FA Cup Final win. They tend to concede chances, but Chelsea's key players—Cole Palmer and Reece James—aren't fully fit. Palmer, in particular, hasn't looked 100% all season. And honestly, why send a team to a final with an interim manager? If you need to lift the trophy to qualify for Europe, shouldn't you give your squad the best possible chance?
Race for Europe: Villa's Missed Opportunity
Aston Villa would love to head into the Europa League final without the pressure of needing a win to secure Champions League football. That's why their draw against Burnley (19th in the table) was such a missed opportunity. Beat the bottom-dwellers, and you don't have to worry about getting a result against the champions at the Etihad. Now, they're in a tough spot.
Liverpool's Headache
Arne Slot could really do without a top-five finish not being guaranteed going into the final week. Especially with sections of the Anfield crowd starting to boo their own team, the last thing he needs is distraction. Add in rumors of Chelsea eyeing Xabi Alonso, and many Liverpool fans will question why their club hasn't acted. If a club legend ends up at Stamford Bridge, it could sting—especially if Liverpool don't fly out of the traps next season.
Villa's European Equation
If Unai Emery is successful in Turkey, sixth place will be enough for Champions League qualification—but only if Villa finish fifth. So, a bunch of clubs will be hoping against a home win at Villa Park on Friday. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Arsenal: Split Votes, No Regrets
Some Gunners fans aren't happy that an Arsenal player was overlooked by journalists for the Football Writers' Award. But you can't criticize anyone for their opinion. Arsenal's squad might be victims of their own success—having multiple candidates for Player of the Year means votes get split. It's a good problem to have, even if it stings a little.