Premier League Matchday 38 and Season Roundup

The 2023/24 Premier League season has come to an end, concluding what was an exciting and historic campaign. Manchester City managed to defend their title for the third consecutive season, becoming the first team in the 136-year history of English top-flight soccer to win four titles in a row. 

It was a dramatic season with a title fight that lasted until the final day, with Arsenal pushing City before finishing as runners-up. Liverpool never reached their best form and had to settle for third place, while Aston Villa achieved an impressive feat by finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time. Let’s remember that, the last time they played in this competition, it was called the European Cup, and it was in 1982/83.

Finally, Tottenham finished fifth in the table and will play in the Europa League next season, while Chelsea, with a spectacular end to the season, took sixth place in the standings and their place in the Conference League.

Further down the table, there were surprises as Crystal Palace and West Ham had strong seasons, while giants Manchester United and Newcastle again missed out on European qualification. However, this could change after the FA Cup final.

The relegation battle also came down to the wire, with Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United dropping to the Championship. They will aim to bounce back after Leicester City and Ipswich Town sealed promotion to the Premier League for next season. Leeds and Southampton will play this 26 for the Championship playoffs final.

Manchester City wins 4th consecutive title

Manchester City pulled off an impressive 3-1 win away to West Ham on the final day of the 2023/24 Premier League season to clinch their fourth consecutive league title. This historic achievement makes them the first team in the 136-year history of the English top flight to win four titles in a row. 

City went into the day two points clear of rivals Arsenal at the top of the table. A win would guarantee them the title, while Arsenal needed City to fail and win their game against Everton. 

Pep Guardiola’s team started strongly and took the lead with a goal by Phil Foden in the 2nd minute, while the Stockport-born himself scored his team’s second goal in the 18th minute. West Ham tried to react with a wondergoal by Mohammed Kudus in the 42nd minute, but Rodri put the game to bed with a superb shot from mid-distance in the 59th minute.

Surprises and Disappointments

This Premier League season saw several teams exceed expectations and achieve surprising finishes. 

Aston Villa was the biggest surprise, crowning their campaign by finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history since playing under that name. After reaching the Conference last year, Villa was expected to struggle this year, having to deal with European competition for the first time in decades. However, the summer additions of several key players and the excellent management of Unai Emery paved the way for their historic results.

After a promising previous campaign, Manchester United had a terrible season where they failed to land a European competition spot in the league. In the Champions League, they were embarrassed getting last in a group with Copenhagen and Galatasaray, and their only hope is the Champions League final. However, they face Manchester City again, a team against whom they have lost all games in Erik Ten Hag’s reign.

Premier League Matchday 38: Manchester City vs. West Ham

When and Where?

Sunday, May 19, 11:00 am ET at the Etihad Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Manchester City 1.109 

West Ham 26

Draw Offs: 

13.1 

Where can I watch it? 

Peacock, NBC, ESPN/Star+, Paramount+, and Telemundo 

The most anticipated match of the end of the season was, undoubtedly, between Manchester City and West Ham, as the Citizens needed a victory to become champions, and they got it. After a masterful game from Phil Foden, who scored two of the team’s three goals, Pep Guardiola’s side was crowned champions for the fourth consecutive season.

The match started with City going on the attack at home at the Etihad Stadium, and these efforts paid off early, as Foden scored his first goal in the 2nd minute. That not only gave the English striker confidence but also got his teammates into the rhythm of the game, and in the 18th minute, Foden scored his second goal of the day to make the score 2-0 ahead.

Then, before the end of the first half, specifically in the 42nd minute, Mohammed Kudus made it 1-2 for West Ham to give some life to the Hammers and Arsenal, who were hoping for a City defeat to try to become champions. However, at the beginning of the second half, Rodri scored the definitive 3-1 to lead City to a new championship in the English Premier League.

Result: Manchester City (3) – (1) West Ham

Premier League Matchday 38: Arsenal vs. Everton

When and Where?

Sunday, May 19, 11:00 am ET at the Emirates Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Arsenal 1.19 

Everton 16.5

Draw Offs: 

8.6 

Where can I watch it? 

Peacock, NBC, ESPN/Star+, Paramount+, and Telemundo 

Arsenal came into this final match with the firm conviction of taking the three points and thus becoming champions. However, they depended on a City defeat against West Ham, something that did not happen.

However, the Gunners managed to get the victory at the Emirates Stadium to win 2-1 against Everton.

The match started a bit rocky, as Arsenal’s desperation to score a goal to take the lead was evident. However, it was Everton who struck first in the 40th minute, with Idrissa Gueye scoring a wonderful goal. However, their excitement lasted only 3 minutes, as Takehiro Tomiyasu equalized to go to the break with a 1-1 score.

Finally, when we all thought that the match would end in a draw, Kai Havertz pulled off a great play to score the definitive 2-1 in the 89th minute.

Although Arsenal won, they were unable to dethrone City.

Result: Arsenal (2) – (1) Everton 

Premier League Matchday 38: Liverpool vs. Wolves

When and Where?

Sunday, May 19, 11:00 am ET at Anfield

Moneyline odds: 

Liverpool 1.185 

Wolves 16

Draw Offs: 

9.15 

Where can I watch it? 

Peacock, NBC, ESPN/Star+, Paramount+, and Telemundo 

Liverpool had absolutely nothing at stake other than the honor and the satisfaction of their fans of finishing third in the Premier League this season. In this match at Anfield, the Reds came out to play one more game to say goodbye to their fans and got a great 2-0 victory over Wolves.

As expected, the match was completely tilted in favor of the Reds, who in addition to saying goodbye to the season, were also saying goodbye to Jurgen Klöpp, who will no longer coach the team. In addition to 68% possession, Liverpool generated 36 scoring chances with 14 shots on goal throughout the match.

In the 34th minute, Alexis Mac Allister scored his team’s first goal after a wonderful play. Then, just 6 minutes later, one of the players who was seeing important minutes in this match, Jarell Amorin Quansah, scored the final 2-0.

With this victory, Liverpool leaves the season on a high note, finishing third in the standings, but with the sad news that Klöpp is leaving the team immediately.

Result: Liverpool (2) – (0) Wolves

Premier League Matchday 38: Sheffield vs. Tottenham

When and Where?

Sunday, May 19, 11:00 am ET at Bramall Lane

Moneyline odds: 

Sheffield 8.25 

Tottenham 1.352

Draw Offs: 

6.46 

Where can I watch it? 

Peacock, NBC, ESPN/Star+, Paramount+, and Telemundo 

Finally, Tottenham Hotspur closed the season with an excellent 3-0 win over Sheffield United to secure fifth place in the standings and a place in the next Europa League.

It was certainly not what Spurs would have dreamed of at the start of the season. However, they finished by winning two of their last three games played.

Sheffield United had nothing to do and bowed out of the season and the Premier League with a 0-3 thrashing.

Spurs dominated the game from start to finish, and we saw perfectly how every player on the team was in total sync. Dejan Kulusevski put Spurs ahead in the 14th minute with his first goal of the afternoon.

Then, in the second half, Pedro Porro made it 2-0 in the 59th minute, while Kulusevski sealed the game in the 65th minute to send the season off with an excellent result.

The Spurs were disappointed not to reach the top four of the table and secure their place in the next edition of the Champions League. However, they will want to win the Europa League.

Result: Sheffield (0) – (3) Tottenham