Europe up for grabs in tense midweek games in Premier League

The penultimate games of the season in the Premier League on Tuesday and Wednesday nights will be vital to see who will qualify for the Champions League and the Europa League next season, with a repeat of Saturday’s FA Cup final the main attraction on Tuesday night.

Leicester City made history when they defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday to win the FA Cup final for the first time in the club’s history, but after the emotion of the weekend, Tuesday’s result will have big implications for the club’s economic prospects.

Chelsea are two points behind Leicester in fourth place and need a win to take a step closer to assuring their place in next season’s Champions League, while the two teams will be acutely aware of Liverpool breathing down their necks – a point behind Chelsea and three behind Leicester.

If Chelsea can get revenge for their Cup final defeat, they would move into third place and open the door for Liverpool to move into fourth on goal difference if they can win away to Burnley on Wednesday.

Leeds United won 4-0 away to Burnley on Saturday and Sean Dyche’s side looks to have relaxed after assuring their place in the top-flight after a difficult season.

Another win for Leicester, however, would give them a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League before they entertain Tottenham on Sunday.

Tottenham and West Ham also face key matches, with seventh place West Ham travelling to already relegated west Brom (who were so close to drawing with Liverpool on Sunday), while Tottenham have a winnable match at home to Aston Villa. Only goal difference separates the two London-based clubs ahead of two matches that will decide if they play in Europe next season.

Elsewhere, league champions Manchester City visit Brighton on Tuesday, while Manchester United will look for a convincing win at home to Fulham to assure second place and to warm up for the Europa League final.

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