Bournemouth are on the bring of a historic qualification as they could reach continental competition for the first time.
Earlier this week, the Daily Echo reported the minimum requirements for the Cherries to confirm their place on their own – but that assumed other teams around them finished the season with two victories.
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But should results go their way this weekend, the club could qualify without having to win another point.
That hinges on three games across Saturday and Sunday, with the Cherries set to play their game for this gameweek on Tuesday against FA Cup finalists Manchester City.
Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
For Bournemouth to qualify this weekend, they can only guarantee a top eight finish, and for that to result in a place in Europe, they need City to win the final on Saturday.
This would mean an eighth-placed finish would lead to a place in the Conference League, as City are already guaranteed Champions League football by virtue of their league position and so their Europa League place for winning the cup would go back to the league.
If Chelsea were to win the cup, then Europe would not yet be confirmed, as they would get the second Europa League spot, wherever they finish in the league, and only the top seven would get Europe through the league.
With the cup final on Saturday, and no league games on that day, if City win the cup, the Cherries’ chances of confirming Europe before their game against Pep Guardiola's side then move onto the Sunday fixtures.
Ryan Christie. (Image: Richard Crease)
A top eight finish will be guaranteed if two of the teams between seventh and tenth are unable to pick up the points needed to still be able to catch Bournemouth on the final day.
Brighton, in seventh, are only two points behind Andoni Iraola’s side, so no matter their result vs Leeds this weekend, they will still be able to catch Bournemouth heading into the Cherries’ final two.
The two games to keep an eye on for the Cherries fans are Everton vs Sunderland and Brentford vs Crystal Palace.
For the Toffees to catch the Cherries, they must win both of their final two games, as they trail the Dorset club by six points.
Therefore, if David Moyes’ side drop points against the Black Cats, so draw or lose, Bournemouth will finish above them.
Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
Brentford trail the Cherries by four points, so they would have to lose to Palace for Cherries’ place above them to be confirmed.
Should those results go that way, then Bournemouth would be on 55 points with two games to play, the Bees on 51 and Everton on 49 or 50, with both sides having one game left.
That would mean only Brighton and Chelsea could catch the Cherries.
The Seagulls will be on 53, 54 or 56 come the end of Sunday, while Chelsea, who are currently on 49, play Spurs on Tuesday night as the Cherries face City.
If eighth guarantees Europe, then Bournemouth will have their final two games to determine which competition they play in next season.