Premier League final day: Eimer predicts tactical caution and relegation drama
With the championship decided, focus shifts to European qualification, Pep Guardiola’s final Manchester City match, and the relegation fight involving Tottenham and West Ham.
The final day of the 2025-26 English Premier League season is set for Sunday, May 24, with all matches commencing at 11 a.m. ET. Arsenal have already secured the league title following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, shifting the narrative focus to individual accolades, European qualification, and relegation survival.
SportsLine expert Jon Eimer has provided betting analysis for the matchday, noting that while the championship is settled, significant implications remain across the league. Key storylines include Tottenham Hotspur facing potential historic relegation, Manchester City’s final match under manager Pep Guardiola, and contests for European spots.
Eimer, who finished 2023 as SportsLine’s No. 1 soccer expert with a record of 248-234-12, has maintained profitability in multiple leagues in 2026, including the Premier League and Champions League. His projections for Matchday 38 suggest a mix of tactical caution and high-stakes defensive struggles.
In the clash between Brighton and Manchester United, Eimer predicts Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will secure an assist to tie the all-time single-season Premier League record, currently shared with Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry. Although United have little at stake, Eimer expects the captain to pursue the record despite Brighton’s motivation to secure a UEFA competition spot.
The encounter between Crystal Palace and Arsenal is anticipated to be a low-scoring affair. Eimer describes the match as a potential "snoozer," predicting only one goal at most. Both clubs are expected to rotate players and prioritise injury avoidance ahead of their respective European finals, with Arsenal in the Champions League and Palace in the Europa Conference League.
Tottenham face Everton in a critical fixture, with a win or draw required to avoid relegation. Eimer advises backing Tottenham to survive, noting that while Spurs possess a "horrendous" defence, Everton has been "abysmal defensively on the road," suggesting a high-scoring game that could secure Spurs' safety.
Conversely, Eimer predicts West Ham will likely be relegated despite needing a win against Leeds. He describes West Ham’s chances as "too little too late" due to their "appalling defence," noting that Leeds are already eliminated from contention and may not offer the resistance required for a West Ham comeback.
