Manchester's finest battle for final Uefa Champions League spot

With Sunderland securing their top flight status on Wednesday and thereby relegating Norwich City and Newcastle United, the remaining intrigue in the English Premier League on Sunday is who will finish second, third and fourth. 

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal needs Manchester City to lose at Swansea City for his side to have any hope of clinching fourth place. Reuters/Carl Recine

The party has been going on in Leicester since 2 May when Chelsea came from 2-0 down to draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

That stalemate delivered the top flight title to Leicester City for the first time in their 132-year history.

Fittingly, Claudio Ranieri, a former Chelsea manager, will lead his champions out at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Over in north London, Arsenal host relegated Aston Villa. Arsène Wenger’s men need to beat Villa and hope that Newcastle United can finish their stay in the Premier League with a victory.

That would deny Tottenham the bragging rights as London’s top club. It would also be the first time that Spurs have finished above their north London rivals.

Local boasting aside, both teams have qualified for next season’s Uefa Champions League.

City and United compete for Champions League

Manchester City go into their final game at Swansea City needing a draw to take fourth place and access to the qualifying rounds of next season’s Champions League.

If they slip up at Swansea, Manchester United could pip them to fourth provided they take all three points at home to Bournemouth.

On Tuesday night, Manchester United squandered a 2-1 lead at West Ham United and lost 3-2. That setback leaves City in the driving seat. It also offers the departing City boss Manuel Pellegrini the chance to bequeath his successor, Pep Guardiola, a place in the European football’s most prestigious club competition.

“I would have liked to have won the title,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports on the eve of the game against Swansea City. “But we couldn’t for various reasons. We won the League Cup and that’s it.”

The fourth place consolation cup leads to the riches of the Champions League. City reached the semi-finals this season. The accountants will be counting the euros that run brought all through the summer.