Survival at Stake on Matchday 38

Nine months of drama will come to a head Sunday as the English Premier League completes its 2014-15 season. There may not be as many compelling storylines as previous seasons, but for some clubs, the day will be extremely important nonetheless.

At the top of the Premier League table, Chelsea have already clinched their first title in five years, and will close the season at home against a Sunderland team that will remain in the top flight thanks to Wednesday’s draw at Arsenal. Speaking of the Gunners, they sit in third, which would automatically put them in next year’s Champions League group stage. Manchester United could pip them to 3rd if they win, Arsenal lose, and the Red Devils make up the goal difference gap (Arsenal is currently at +32, United at +25). With the Gunners tempted to rest several key players for next week’s FA Cup Final, it’s still an unlikely scenario for Louis van Gaal & company, but not an impossible one.

The main drama on Sunday will come from the battle to avoid occupying the final relegation spot. Burnley & Queens Park Rangers are going back to the Championship after one season in the EPL, while Newcastle and Hull will battle each other to stay up. The Magpies have a two-point advantage on the Tigers, meaning Joe Carver will pull off an escape if his side wins or Hull fails to win. A unique plot twist comes with the matchups involving both clubs; Newcastle host West Ham United, currently managed by former Magpies boss Sam Allardyce. Hull, meanwhile, welcome Manchester United to Yorkshire; Tigers manager Steve Bruce was one of United’s top defenders at the start of the EPL era, while defenders James Chester & Paul McShane both went through the Red Devils’ youth academy. Hull will be relegated with either a draw or a loss, so they’ll be hoping for extra support from a home crowd in their quest for three points.

Other clubs to keep an eye on are Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Southampton, who are fighting for Europa League spots. If Arsenal beats Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final, all three will qualify for various stages of that competition, but none of them will feel it’s worth risking their European fate by leaving it up to another club. Steven Gerrard plays his final Premier League game for Liverpool, determined to go out as a winner, after his home finale turned into a nightmare with a loss to Crystal Palace.

As they did last year, NBC Sports Group will show all 10 matches live on its various channels, allowing viewers to flip back and forth to follow scores. NBC will have Hull-Manchester United, while Newcastle-West Ham is on USA. NBCSN will air Chelsea-Sunderland before the Blues begin their trophy celebration. NBC Sports Group has received a lot of praise for its production of the Premier League over the past two years, with many fans wanting the company to keep the rights when their current contract expires next season.

Can Newcastle stay alive in the top flight, or will Hull pull off a great escape? With those matches, along with the eight others, all starting at 10 AM Eastern, it will be an entertaining final day to the campaign.

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