And so it all comes down to this, the last day.
The season’s fate, the top four, next year’s Champions League and, in a sense, the final count of Frank Lampard’s (first) season in charge are based on these 90 minutes. And maybe the 90 minutes played at King Power in Leicester.
Win, and we are inside.
Draw, and we are inside.
He loses … and, well, things could get interesting.
If, at the same time, Manchester United beat Leicester City (all matches take place simultaneously on this final day, as is tradition), we are good regardless. Otherwise, we fall to fifth place, and suddenly the whole season doesn’t look so good.
That may be unfair, but that is the nature of the beast.
All permutations for the last day in the Champions League race. Basically, a Leicester draw or loss guarantees the top four.
Chelsea lost to the Wolves (they lost 1-0 at home last year until Hazard’s goal in the 93rd minute) and a draw in the other game is the concern. pic.twitter.com/UioMDneOLi
– Grant James (@grantdesmidt) July 23, 2020
Date and Time: Sunday, July 26, 2020, 4:00 p.m. BST; 11 a. M. EDT; 8:30 pm IST
Venue of events: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Stuart Attwell (in the field); Simon Hooper (VAR)
Forecast: Nice and sunny, with a little breeze, whatever the weather inside your home
On TV: Sky Sports Football (UK); US Network, Telemundo (US); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); none (NGA); elsewhere
Transmission: Sky Go (United Kingdom); NBCSports.com, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Chelsea team news: N’Golo Kanté has returned to training this week after a hamstring strain, and is happy to perform for the first time in six games. For N’Golo it has been a stop and start for 12 to 15 months, but when it’s on, it still changes the rules of the game at the heart of midfield.
Speaking of game-changers, Christian Pulisic should be fit to begin. He has apparently had a slight annoyance, although that was not exactly evidence as he pierced through Liverpool’s defense on Wednesday at will in the final 30 minutes. If Pulisic can reproduce that kind of form on Sunday, we could do a short job of the tough visitors, who have one of the best defensive records in the division.
And we certainly will need the attack to fire in all cylinders due to the team’s defensive issues, not to mention Lampard’s firm refusal to play a bad game. To Europe!
Wolf team news: Unfortunately, wolves are not mired in an anonymous half table. They are currently sixth, but with the Spurs breathing down their necks, they need a result, probably, to stay there and qualify for the Europa League next season. They will surely be sure to take some points on the Bridge, not only because of Chelsea’s frequent weaknesses, but they also have a solid record against the Big Six. The wolves beat the Spurs and Manchester City, tied with Arsenal and Manchester United, and lost by the narrowest margins against Liverpool on their Premier League trips.
Wolves, like Chelsea, are in good health. They are undefeated in three (two wins) and have the same goal differential for the season as Chelsea, but conceding (and scoring) 16 fewer.
Previously: One of the most surprising results in a season filled with surprising results was 5-2 at Molineux, which featured a hat-trick from Tammy Abraham.
