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Arsenal, Chelsea could face playoff

Arsenal, Chelsea could face playoff
© PA Photos
Arsenal and Chelsea could be forced to face each other in a playoff in order to settle third place, depending on this weekend's results.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez could still face the nightmare of having to play a playoff in order to secure third place in the Premier League.

Following the Gunners' 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Emirates, both sides are extremely close to finishing the season level.

Should Wenger's side beat Newcastle United 2-1 on Sunday and the Blues earn a goalless draw with Everton, then the London pair would both finish with identical figures in the league this year.

If those results were to happen, the clubs would finish with the same points (73), same goal difference (+35), and even the same number of goals scored (73) and conceded (38) after this weekend's final round of matches.

If that were the case then a playoff, presumably at Wembley Stadium, would need to take place between the duo to settle who clinches automatic qualification to the Champions League, while the loser would be forced to endure a two-legged qualifier to reach the group stage.

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Written by
Matt Cotton
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham197842825329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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