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Manchester United can secure Champions League place, QPR and Burnley possibly relegated - what can be decided this weekend

A look at the possible outcomes after this weekend's round of Premier League games

Simon Rice
Friday 08 May 2015 16:34 BST
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Chelsea might already be champions, but there is still much to be decided in the Premier League from the battle for the Champions League and Europa League and the scrap for survival.

Here, we take a look at what could be resolved this weekend...

TOP FOUR

Manchester United can guarantee qualification for the Champions League this weekend. Louis van Gaal's side can mathematically be caught by Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton as it stands.

If United beat Crystal Palace in the late kick-off on Saturday, they will be on 68 points, putting them out of reach of Tottenham and Southampton. Liverpool would be seven points behind when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, meaning defeat would put the Red Devils out of reach. Even a draw for Liverpool would all be confirm Manchester United's return to the Champions League due to the inferior goal difference of Brendan Rodgers' side.

If United draw or lose against Crystal Palace, no matter what the results of the chasing pack, they won't be guaranteed a top four finish.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal

While Chelsea are certain of being in the Champions League, Arsenal and Manchester City need just one more point or to see Liverpool fail to win to be sure. Although their goal difference is so much superior to that of Rodgers' side, they are practically guaranteed a place already.

EUROPA LEAGUE

As it stands, Europa League places are certain to go the sides finishing fifth and sixth in the table. There are mathematically four sides that could finish in those positions, with Swansea in eighth the outsiders. Should they win this weekend, no matter what the results of Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton, the Welsh side could still be in Europe next season. Should they draw or lose and either Southampton or Tottenham win, those hopes will be over.

Jordan Henderson looks likely to captain Liverpool next season

Of Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton, only Liverpool can guarantee their place in the Europa League this weekend. To do so they must beat Chelsea and see Southampton lose away at Leicester.

RELEGATION BATTLE

QPR and Burnley could be relegated this weekend.

QPR, currently on 27 points, are seven points behind Hull City in the last position of safety in 17th. Therefore when Chris Ramsey's side travel to Manchester City in the early kick-off on Sunday, they know that a defeat will see them go down. A point at the Etihad keeps them in it mathematically, but only if either Leicester or Hull lose. Leicester are at home to Southampton and Hull are at home to Burnley on Saturday.

Despite all Charlie Austin's goals - QPR could be down after this weekend

Burnley are on 26 points heading into the weekend in which they play Hull. To have any chance of survival they must win their remaining three matches of the season. So a defeat or draw at the KC Stadium and Sean Dyche's side are done for. Even if they beat Hull, they could still find themselves relegated if Newcastle and Aston Villa at least draw and Sunderland and Leicester win.

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