With Champions League qualification the only major issue still to be decided, focus on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will fall on the characters bidding goodbye to English soccer.
It is certain to be a momentous day as Alex Ferguson will bow out after a record-breaking 26-year spell as Manchester United manager, while veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is also expected to play his final game for the club.
Ferguson heralded the end of an era when he announced his retirement last week and was given a rapturous send-off at Old Trafford last Sunday when United beat Swansea City 2-1 in his final home game.
Sunday’s trip to West Bromwich Albion will be Ferguson’s 1500th match as United manager, but the 71-year-old Scot warned his players not to be distracted by the emotion.
“We need to win the game on Sunday. We won the last home game and I don’t want to lose my last game, that’s for sure.”
United received the Premier League trophy after beating Swansea and, with West Brom already certain to finish no lower than ninth, there is little riding on the match.
Ferguson’s successor-in-waiting David Moyes will end his 11-year association with Everton at Chelsea, who on Wednesday claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Europa League final.
Moyes, who will take over from Ferguson on a six-year contract on July 1, said farewell to Goodison Park after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat of West Ham United.
“There are very few managers who have the opportunity to be cheered off in your last game.
“I have to thank everybody at Everton and the supporters for that – it showed real class. The atmosphere was incredible. I didn’t expect it.
“I have one more game to go. If we win, then it will be our highest points total during my time there. Who knows? I may be back one day.”
The trip to Stamford Bridge will also mark Everton captain Phil Neville’s last game for the club, while another United old boy Michael Owen hopes to feature in Stoke City’s game at Southampton after announcing he will also retire.
Liverpool’s fans are preparing to say goodbye to long-serving defender Jamie Carragher, who is set to make his 737th and final appearance at home to Queens Park Rangers.
Tottenham Hotspur hope to pip Arsenal to the fourth and final Champions League place, but must win at home to Sunderland and hope their north London rivals lose at Newcastle United.
Wigan Athletic’s relegation on Tuesday ended the suspense in the battle to avoid demotion to the Championship, but all clubs have a financial incentive to finish as high up the table as possible due to the incremental allocation of end-of-season prize money.
In other final-round action, Manchester City host Norwich City, Swansea City are at home to Fulham, Reading travel to West Ham United and Wigan Athletic await Aston Villa.
