Euro Soccer Round-Up – 2024 Premier League Final Day

The Premier League final day is upon us this weekend, and the title race is still going. Will Manchester City lift their fourth straight title, or will the Gunners end 20 years of hurt? 

It’s been a long season of European soccer, but its conclusion has finally arrived. This weekend, on Sunday, May 19, the final round of fixtures will play out on the Premier League final day. The relegation battle is all but over, but there are still a number of European spots to be determined. 

Of course, the main question is, who will win the 2023-24 Premier League title? The two-horse race will go right down to the wire. We will be breaking down everything that you need to know ahead of the Premier League final day action. 

We’ll also have a recap of the English Championship semifinal playoffs, an update of the Champions League final odds and a preview of next week’s Europa League final. It’s an extremely important part of the soccer season and we can’t wait to dive into the action!

Premier League Recap

The Premier League Title Race: More victories followed for Manchester City and Arsenal last weekend as the hunt for this year’s Premier League trophy continues. City beat Fulham 4-0, largely thanks to a brace from Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. Meanwhile, the Gunners wrapped up a narrow 1-0 win away to Manchester United at an incredibly wet and leaky Old Trafford. We also saw midweek action as the Cityzens secured a crucial 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur. City have a one-point lead heading into the Premier League final day. 

Top Four Race: The top four has now been confirmed after the victory for City against Spurs on Tuesday night. That means City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa will all play in the Champions League next season. The loss for fifth-placed Spurs means that they can no longer catch the Villans in fourth. 

European Spots Still Up For Grabs: Although the top four is now set, there are still other European places to be settled on the Premier League final day. Spurs still need to secure fifth since they could still be caught by Chelsea who have won four in a row, including Wednesday’s 2-1 victory away to Brighton & Hove Albion. Following Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday as well, those two sides are locked on 57 points each. They may still be able to catch up to Chelsea in sixth, whilst they are still looking to settle seventh-place and eighth-place. 

Relegation Battle: Sheffield United and Burnley have officially been relegated from the English top-flight. Luton, who currently occupy 18th-place, have all but been relegated as well. They are three points behind Nottingham Forest after they lost 3-1 away to West Ham United last Saturday. The Hatters will need a 12-goal swing on the Premier League final day if they are to miraculously avoid the drop, that’s if they win and Forest lose as well, of course. 

Championship Playoff Semifinals 

The Championship playoff semifinals were somewhat underwhelming after the 1st legs. Both Norwich City and Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion and Southampton drew 0-0 last Sunday. However, Thursday night saw the Whites send the Canaries crashing out of the playoffs. 

In the first of the two 2nd legs, Leeds battered Norwich 4-0 at Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s men raced to a 3-0 lead at half time, ultimately ending the Canaries’ chances at the midway point. A Crysencio Summerville goal in the second half would put the icing on the cake for Leeds. They will now face either Southampton or West Brom in the playoff final. 

On Friday, the Saints will square off against the Baggies at St. Mary’s Stadium to determine who will play Leeds in the playoff final. Southampton are -145 favorites to advance, whilst West Brom have been listed as big +428 underdogs. The total is currently set at O/U 2.5 goals. Make sure you continue reading to see our preview of the Premier League final day!

Importance of the Championship playoff final

The Championship playoff final offers teams a huge chance of earning promotion to the Premier League. This gives the promoted sides a huge cash injection of hundreds of millions of pounds. That means the stakes are colossal, and the financial gain can make a significant impact on clubs for many years. As a result, the Championship playoff final is always a climactic end to the campaign in which many people around the world tune in for. 

Not only can clubs earn enormous financial gain in the short-term, but they may also benefit greatly in the future. Prize money and broadcast revenue in the English top-flight is incredibly lucrative, and vastly bigger than that in the Championship. If a team can avoid immediate relegation, it is thought they could earn upwards of £200 million. 

Equally, teams who then drop back down to the Championship will earn “parachute payments”. This is to reduce the financial hit that clubs take when they are relegated due to reductions in prize money and broadcast revenue. Not only will promoted teams be able to play in the one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, they are able to earn some serious money for doing so. 

Champions League Final – Updated Odds 

Last week the UEFA Champions League final was set. Borussia Dortmund caused an upset as they sent Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain out of the competition, whilst Real Madrid came from a goal down to knock out Bayern Munich. That means it will be Dortmund vs Real Madrid in the final at Wembley Stadium, London on June 1. Before we take a look at the Premier League final day, here’s a quick reminder of the moneyline odds for the Champions League final last week: 

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Moneyline Odds

• Dortmund (+390)
• Draw (+340)
• Real Madrid (-161)

Those odds are still the same a week on, and we probably won’t see much change until we get closer to the match. The game is still a couple of weeks away. We can also see the odds on each team to lift the trophy: 

• Dortmund (+250)
• Real Madrid (-333)

Like the moneyline prices, the odds for each team to lift the trophy are still the same. The oddsmakers see Real Madrid as heavy favorites, and that will not be expected to change any time soon. 

Bettors can also opt to wager on the totals market. The over/under is currently set at 2.5 goals. The Over is currently shorter at a price of -147. The Under is listed as +127. It’s interesting to note that the last four consecutive Champions League finals have all ended in a scoreline of 1-0. The under 2.5 goals line has hit in each of the last five UCL finals as well. The 2017-18 final that saw Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 was the last time that over 2.5 goals hit. 

There is also the option for bettors to place bets on the handicap. Real Madrid are favored by a goal at a price of +110. If you want to back Dortmund +1, you can do so at a price of –130. We haven’t seen a team win by more than a one-goal margin since 2018-19 when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0. 

The last time BVB played in a Champions League final was 2013. That was also held at Wembley Stadium when they lost 2-1 to fellow German club Bayern Munich. Over 2.5 goals would have landed for that match. 

Europa League Final Preview 

The other major European soccer final coming up soon is the UEFA Europa League final. Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are set to meet Italian outfit Atalanta on May 22 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland. I will be providing you with the latest odds for the final, as well as providing you with all the information you need! 

Behind the Champions League final, the Europa League final is the next best club competition in European soccer. The winner will also gain automatic access into next year’s edition of the Champions League. Our Premier League final day preview is coming up, but first, let’s preview next week’s Europa League final.

We are expecting a number of bets in place on the system for both European finals. However, with the Europa League final less than a week away, it’s time for us to focus on that battle! 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atalanta 

• When: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
• Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 
• Watch: CBS / Paramount+
• Current Champions: Sevilla 
• Odds: Leverkusen (-127) / Draw (+282) / Atalanta (+339)

As we highlighted in last week’s Euro soccer round-up, Leverkusen are having a tremendous campaign. They have finally ended Bayern’s Bundesliga dominance by earning their first-ever Bundesliga title this season. Die Werkself are also in line for an unbeaten treble. 

They have just one more league match to go this weekend against Augsburg in order to complete an undefeated Bundesliga campaign. Leverkusen will then have to play in two cup finals to secure the 3-peat and go the entire season unbeaten across all competitions. That would be a remarkable achievement by Xabi Alonso, particularly in his maiden season as a head coach. 

Meanwhile, Atalanta have a chance to stop them in their tracks. La Dea have had a solid campaign, currently sitting in fifth-place in Serie A. They still have a chance at finishing inside the top four, but they will be hoping to seal their fate for definite in the Champions League with a victory in the Europa League final. It would also be the first-ever European trophy in the club’s history. 

Route to the final 

Leverkusen comfortably topped Group H of the Europa League, winning all six of their matchups against Qarabag, Molde and BK Hacken. That saw them advance straight into the Round of 16 as they narrowly edged past Qarabag with a 5-4 aggregate score. Leverkusen were then largely in control as they defeated West Ham United 3-1 in the quarterfinals. 

However, the semifinals were not as straightforward. Despite picking up a 2-0 win away to Roma in the 1st leg, Leverkusen found themselves 2-0 down in the 2nd, meaning the scores were level. Nevertheless, the German side continued their trend of scoring late on to make it 2-2, keeping their unbeaten streak intact and ensuring their spot in the final. 

Atalanta also had a strong showing during the group stage as they sat atop the Group D standings, failing to lose any of their games against Sporting CP, Sturm Graz and Rakow Czestochowa. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men had a difficult tie up against Sporting in the Round of 16, but they managed to edge past with a 3-2 triumph. 

That set Atalanta up with an enormous task of knocking out English heavyweights Liverpool in the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, they recorded one of their most impressive victories in their history as they beat the Reds 3-0 at Anfield in the 1st leg. A 4-1 aggregate win in the semifinals against Marseille ensured they booked a deserved spot in the final. 

Early Predictions 

It’s hard to look past Leverkusen who have taken the whole of Europe by storm thus far. They just don’t lose games, and have fought back late on when needed. However, Atalanta caused an upset against Liverpool earlier this term, and Gasperini has turned the club into a strong and respectable side over the past half a decade, having accumulated Champions League experience too. 

During the 2021-22 season, the two sides met at the Round of 16 stage of the Europa League. It was Atalanta who secured wins in both legs, winning 3-2 at home in the 1st before sealing their spot in the final 8 with a 1-0 triumph at BayArena. Gasperini was the man in charge back then, but things are different now under Alonso’s Leverkusen. 

Leverkusen are pretty heavy favorites at this stage at a price of -127. To lift the trophy, they have been priced at -250. They have won this competition before in 1988 as well when it was known as the UEFA Cup. The last European final that Leverkusen reached was the 2001-02 Champions League final when they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid. 

A price of -127 for Leverkusen to win the game inside 90 minutes is showing some decent value. However, Die Werkself haven’t been perfect, and have been held by opponents in this competition earlier on, needing late goals to get past Qarabag and Roma. 

Atalanta are no pushovers, and will be led by in-form players Teun Koopmeiners, Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca. Still, with that being said, we can’t look past Leverkusen. They’re riding higher than ever before, and will get past Atalanta during regulation time. 

BEST BET: Leverkusen -127

Premier League Final Day Preview

The finals of the two major European soccer finals are always a highlights on the soccer calendar. Soccer fans around the world will be tuning in to watch both the Champions League final and the Europa League final. 

However, for now, let’s focus on the Premier League final day. The most watched and highest regarded professional sports league will come to its epic conclusion this Sunday. Will it be Man City or Arsenal who win the title on the Premier League final day?

Plenty of drama will unfold. The 2012 final day saw City’s cult hero Sergio Aguero deliver their maiden Premier League title in the final minutes in one of the most dramatic and tumultuous ends to a Premier League season in its history. Could we be in line for more ecstasy? Below, we will preview the two major fixtures on the Premier League final day. 

Premier League Final Day – Manchester City vs West Ham United Preview 

• When: Sunday, May 19th, 2024
• Where: The Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• Watch: NBC / Peacock 
• Odds: Man City (-1000) / Draw (+1000) / West Ham (+2000)

At an incredibly short price of -1000, the bookmakers can’t see City slipping up on the Premier League final day. If they draw and Arsenal win, the Gunners will become champions. However, at a price of +1000, the chances of that are very slim too. 

City just don’t lose games at the end of the season, seemingly always finding a way to clutch. They have won their last eight successive league matches, scoring 30 goals in the process (average of 3.75 per game), while only conceding 5. Pep Guardiola’s side are arguably in the best form that they have been in all season, which bodes particularly well as we head towards the Premier League final day.

Visitors West Ham don’t have anything to play for on the final day, and their ninth-place finish has already been secured. The Hammers have hardly been in the best of form of late either, winning just one of their past five in the league. 

Premier League Final Day – Arsenal vs Everton Preview

• When: Sunday, May 19th, 2024
• Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
• Watch: NBC / Peacock 
• Odds: Arsenal (-625) / Draw (+700) / Everton (+1500)

Although not as short as City at -625, the Gunners are very much expected to win as well on the Premier League final day. They will be doing everything they can to lift the Premier League trophy, desperately hoping that their London rivals can cause an upset at the Etihad. 

Arsenal have been near perfect throughout the campaign, and have even been extremely strong during the title run-in. Nevertheless, a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa last month seems to have been the deciding factor. If the Gunners would have won, their fate would still be in their own hands. 

Since then, Mikel Arteta’s men have won five in a row, including victories over Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United. Everton have already sealed their future in the Premier League for next season, and so don’t have much to play for on the Premier League final day. The expectation is that Arsenal will win this game, but City will also win theirs. 

Will we see any shocks and surprises this weekend? Be sure to tune in and watch what should be an exhilarating final day either way. Our cappers will be putting their picks into the system as well. Stay on the lookout for anyone fading Man City!

What’s Coming Up On The European Soccer Schedule? 

We’ve come to the end of our Euro soccer round-up now. Hopefully you have everything you need to enjoy the Premier League final day. Equally, we’ve got some huge games coming up in the Europa League final and the Champions League final. 

Our experts will continue to provide Sports Hub users with the best soccer picks for some of the most highly-anticipated soccer games of the season. That includes the best predictions on the Premier League final day. Make sure that you sign-in to Sports Hub to gain access to our picks! 

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Below you can find out all the information you need ahead of an action-packed weekend of soccer. We have also provided you with the key details for next week’s major final.

• English Championship Playoff Semifinal: Friday will see Southampton host West Brom in the final Championship playoff semifinal at 3:00 p.m. ET. The scores are currently tied at 0-0. Southampton are -145 favorites. The winner will go on to play Leeds in the final.
• Saturday: It’s the League One playoff final on Saturday between Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United. The winner will earn promotion to the Championship for next season. There are also games from Serie A and La Liga. 
• Bundesliga Final Day: Saturday will also see the final day of the Bundesliga play out. Leverkusen have already been crowned champions but can complete an undefeated season if they avoid a loss at home to Augsburg. Meanwhile, Union Berlin will be hoping to escape a relegation playoff. They host Freiburg, while fellow contenders Mainz travel to face off against Wolfsburg. 
• Premier League Final Day: All 20 teams will be playing at 11:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 19 on the Premier League final day. Arsenal vs Everton and Manchester City vs West Ham are the two key fixtures. Spurs, Chelsea, Man United and Newcastle will all be playing for European spots for next season as well. 
• Ligue 1 Final Day: The French top-flight will also play its final day on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET. PSG have already won the title, whilst the top four made up of Monaco, Lille Brest has been confirmed as well. Lyon are miraculously still in the hunt for a European spot and could overtake Lens in sixth if they beat Strasbourg and Lens lose to Montpellier. The bottom three of Metz, Lorient and Clermont are all but set. 
• Sunday Action Continues: The English League Two playoff final between Crawley Town and Crewe Alexandra will play out this Sunday at 8:00 a.m. ET. There are also games from Serie A and La Liga. 
• Europa League Final: It won’t be long until our first European final arrives. Next Wednesday will see Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen at 4:00 p.m. ET from Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland. Leverkusen will be hoping to earn their second trophy of the season, while Atalanta are on the hunt for their first-ever European trophy.

That’s everything you need to get you set up for the weekend of European soccer. It’s set to be an epic conclusion for the Premier League final day! We’ve also provided you with a preview of the Europa League final. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Champions League final too. Then, it’s time to prepare for Euro 2024 and 2024 Copa America. Two major international competitions will be taking place this summer, meaning the soccer action won’t let up!