Here we come ... Arsenal are confident of a top-four finish. Source: Ian Kington / AFP
Roberto Mancini's sacking marked a year to the day that Manchester City hoisted the Premier League trophy in the most extraordinary circumstances.
But one year on, we’re heading into a final day where the equation is not quite as titillating as it was when Manchester City slugged it out with Queens Park Rangers last term.
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The title is sorted. Manchester United have already been out on the town, revelling in the afterglow of Fergie’s farewell. Three clubs are already condemned to the drop. Mid-table spots just need sorting for prize money.
But there’s one fascinating battle sit to be decided.
Who will join United and City in the UEFA Champions League?
If they beat Newcastle United on Sunday, it renders Tottenham's clash with Sunderland redundant.
"I am confident because we have experience. We play for a long time under massive pressure and we have always found the solutions with the problems that we have faced…. It’s a big hurdle, but we’re up for it, we can only give our best, we want to be focused," Wenger said.
"It is all open, but it depends on our result. Even third place is not out of sight if we win the game."
Wenger is right - Chelsea (72 points), Europa League finalists on Thursday morning, aren't out in the clear either.
And of all the permutations that could take place on Sunday, one could have remarkable repercussions.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man United | 37 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 43 | 88 |
| 2 | Man City | 37 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 33 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 37 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 35 | 72 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 37 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 34 | 70 |
| 5 | Tottenham | 37 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 69 |
| 6 | Everton | 37 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 16 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 37 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 27 | 58 |
| 8 | West Brom | 37 | 14 | 6 | 17 | -4 | 48 |
| 9 | Swansea | 37 | 11 | 13 | 13 | -1 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham | 37 | 11 | 10 | 16 | -10 | 43 |
| 11 | Stoke | 37 | 9 | 14 | 14 | -11 | 41 |
| 12 | Norwich | 37 | 9 | 14 | 14 | -18 | 41 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 37 | 11 | 8 | 18 | -22 | 41 |
| 14 | Southampton | 37 | 9 | 13 | 15 | -11 | 40 |
| 15 | Fulham | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | -13 | 40 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | -22 | 40 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 37 | 9 | 12 | 16 | -12 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan | 37 | 9 | 8 | 20 | -26 | 35 |
| 19 | Reading | 37 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -28 | 28 |
| 20 | QPR | 37 | 4 | 13 | 20 | -29 | 25 |
Should Rafa Benitez's side and David Moyes's Everton labour to a 0-0 draw, and Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-1 - both clubs will be tied on third with identical figures.
Same points (73), goal difference (75), even the same goals for (73) and against (38).
Where teams competing for the title, Europe or relegation are deadlocked in the Premier League, it goes to goal difference, then goals scored. If they can't be split, it's off to a play-off.
That unfathomable scenario - and it is just those results that would prompt it - could force both teams into a play-off, at a neutral venue, for third spot - the final automatic qualification place available. Fourth spot goes into the Champions League qualification stage, beginning in August.
Looks like Chelsea might need to rouse themselves for one last hurrah on Sunday night - because friendlies against Manchester City in America in May, and England friendlies, make it almighty difficult to schedule another fixture.
The Premier League isn’t the only league run and won heading into the final stage.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights across Europe and what’s still up for grabs. Keep an eye on Portugal!
England
Winner: Manchester United
Champions League: Manchester City,
Europa League: Wigan, Swansea
Relegated: Wigan, Reading, Queens Park Rangers
TBA: Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham jostling for final standings in UCL/Europa race.
Bundesliga
Winner: Bayern Munich
Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen
Relegated: Greuther Fürth
TBA: Hoffenheim, Augsburg, Fortuna Dusseldorf for the relegation and relegation play-off spots; Schalke 04, Freiberg, Eintracht Frankfurt for UCL qualifying spot and Europa League positions.
La Liga
Winner: Barcelona
Champions League: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid
Relegated: Mallorca
TBA: Celta da Vigo, Deportivo La Coruna, Real Zaragoza in relegation fight; Real Sociedad and Valencia tied for final UCL qualifying spot. Real Betis will claim Europa League spot due to Malaga's UEFA ban.
Serie A
Winner: Juventus
Champions League: Napoli
Relegated: Pescara, Siena, Palermo
TBA: Milan and Fiorentina jostling for final UCL qualifying spot/Europa spot; Lazio and Udinese jostling for Europa spot.
Ligue 1
Winner: Paris Saint Germain
Champions League: Olympique Marseille
Relegated: Brest
TBA: Lille can still knick final UCL qualifying spot from Lyon. Pending results/goal difference, Saint Etienne and Nice can overtake both Lyon/Lille to nab the only Europa League spot. Evian TG, Nancy, Troyes in relegation fight.
Eredevise
Winner: Ajax
Champions League: PSV
Europa League: Feyenoord, Vitesse
Europa League play-offs: Groningen v Twente; Heerenveen v Utrecht
Relegation: Roda JC, VVV will contest the 'relegation play-off'; Willem II all gone.
Portugal
Champions League: Porto, Benfica
Champions League qualifiers: Paços de Ferreira
TBA: Everything else
Porto lead Europa League finalists Benfica by one point with a game to play; Sporting Braga will nab one Europa League spot, but Estoril, Vitória Guimarães, Rio Ave, Nacional, Marítimo are all in the mix still; Beira-Mar, Moreirense, Olhanense, Gil Vicente and Vitória Setúbal all can be relegated.
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