Premier picks: Champions League D-Day for Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs

Match to catch

With the title already decided and the relegation places filled, Sunday’s final day of the 2012/13 English Premier League season is all about the Champions League. Either Arsenal or Tottenham will miss out on the continent’s premier competition, while Chelsea need a win to be sure of a third-place finish that would put them straight into the group stage. There is even a scenario that could see Chelsea and Arsenal have to play off for third place, but the Blues should be strong enough to beat Everton — in David Moyes’ last game before heading for Manchester United — at home to ensure that’s not needed. Prediction: Chelsea

Keep an eye on

Arsenal took a big step towards the Champions League by beating Wigan 4-1 in midweek, but their north London neighbours Spurs have kept the pressure on right to the bitter end. Wenger’s side have been far from convincing this season, but fortunately for them the final day sees the Gunners visit a Newcastle team low on morale and decimated by injuries, meaning they should have enough to secure that fourth place. Prediction: Arsenal.

Need a win

All that means Spurs face the difficult-to-stomach prospect of another season in the Europa League, even if they do beat Sunderland at home on the final day. There has been much to admire about Andre Villas-Boas’ first season in charge of Tottenham — his use of Gareth Bale and the form of Jan Vertonghen in particular — but they could miss out on their primary target by just a single point. Quite where they would go from there, and whether Bale would want to stick around to find out, remains to be seen. Prediction: Tottenham.

For the purists

Reading’s Premier League swansong sees them head to West Ham for an end-of-season showdown with little riding on it, although the Hammers would like to win to guarantee a top-half finish and the prize money that goes with it. Prediction: West Ham.

Showing form

Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa struck form at just the right time to ensure they avoided relegation and rendered Sunday’s game at Wigan — which at one stage looked likely to be a straight fight for survival — meaningless. The FA Cup winners were relegated in midweek and they will have to rebuild in the Championship, most likely without highly-rated manager Roberto Martinez, who is set to take charge for the final time on Sunday. Prediction: Draw.

Special tribute

With no predictions from last week to look back on, this is a good opportunity to reflect on the career of one of the Premier League’s great players — David Beckham, who on Thursday announced he will retire at the end of the season. The England midfielder won six titles with Manchester United before making impressive contributions for Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan. Even his brief cameo with Paris St Germain has brought another championship to add to his collection, but it’s to the English league’s detriment that he won’t be finishing his career in his homeland. I always thought he would one day return and bring his impeccable passing ability to a London club, but he has decided to bow out at the top and who can blame him. An excellent (and often under-rated) player with an impeccable attitude and winning mentality, he will be sorely missed.