Results at the weekend mean Bournemouth are in the driving seat for a top six finish in the Premier League and could even finish fifth.
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They need just one point to qualify for Europe of any description, and that would equal their record points haul in the English top flight, after they achieved 56 points with a ninth-placed finish last term.
A draw against City would mean they confirm a top seven finish in the league, as the teams in eighth, ninth and tenth, Brentford, Sunderland and Chelsea, will be unable to catch them – although Bournemouth are already out of reach of Regis Le Bris’ ninth-placed side.
(Image: Richard Crease)
A victory would mean Brighton, currently in seventh, are added to those three sides in being unable to close the gap on Andoni Iraola’s side, who are currently on 55 points.
The Seagulls, the Bees and the Black Cats are on 53, 52 and 51 points respectively, with one game to play, so Bournemouth, playing their game in hand against City, can put it beyond those three with a win which would take them to 58 points.
A point would mean only Brighton can catch them on the final day. Chelsea are currently in tenth on 49 points but are another team with two games left to play, as they face Spurs tonight, too.
That kicks off 45 minutes after the Cherries do, and, even if Bournemouth lose to City, Europe can be guaranteed if the London side drop points to the relegation-threatened Spurs.
(Image: Richard Crease)
That will be as Chelsea will have too big a gap to close heading into the final round of games.
A draw against City and a draw against Nottingham Forest on the final day would also guarantee top six for the Cherries.
If they are to finish fifth, they need to beat both City and Forest, and hope that Liverpool lose heavily to Brentford on the final day.
Any sort of result tonight in Iraola’s final home game as Cherries boss will do the trick for the club – and they’ll be hoping to send the boss off on a high.