Premier League final day: what is there left to play for?

As another Premier League season comes to an end there is almost a sense of anti-climax ahead of the final round of games this season.

With the top four settled, barring a mathematical miracle in which Man United overturn a seven-goal deficit to leapfrog Arsenal, and two of the three relegation places sorted there is little to play for.

Except, that is, in the North East, where Hull and Newcastle are battling to avoid the final relegation berth.

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Liverpool, Spurs and Southampton are also fighting to decide who finishes in fifth, sixth and seventh places, although all three could end up in the Europa League if Arsenal win the FA Cup.

There are other points of interest, however. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will bid farewell to the Premier League and Raheem Sterling will find out just how hated he is by the fans if and when he gets a run-out at Stoke.

Here's the best of the weekend action:

Hull vs Man Utd

The only game of the weekend in which both sides are playing for something. For Man United they prize is third place in the table and a ticket straight to the group stages Champions League, without the need for an early-season play off. They need to win, score a heap of goals and hope that Arsenal lose at home to West Brom for it to happen. It's a fanciful idea but it gives the fans something to cheer for.

The game also offers the likes of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria a final chance to prove they have something to offer at Old Trafford next season, although it is likely that if they do get a game it will be a farewell performance.

For Hull, the equation is slightly simpler. If they do not win they will be relegated. And even if they do beat United, they could still be relegated if Newcastle can beat West Ham.

The Tigers' chances of survival are slim at best. But since both sides need to win they might as well go for it, and the result could be an entertaining match.

Newcastle vs West Ham

For Newcastle fans the end of the season cannot come soon enough. It has been a dismal campaign on Tyneside and the prospect of relegation, no matter how remote, will not make the atmosphere at St James's Park any more buoyant on the final day of the season.

Such has been Newcastle's fall from grace, many neutrals have been saying they would like to see the Magpies go down. That's quite a turnaround for a team that used to be one of the most popular in the league.

All eyes will be on the directors box to see if manager-in-waiting Steve McClaren is watching on Sunday.

West Ham have problems of their own, with manager Sam Allardyce expected to get the bullet at the end of the season. He would dearly love to sign off with a win that could secure the Hammers a top ten finish. Some Newcastle fans may look back on Allardyce's six months in charge of their club in 2007 as something of a golden era for the Toon, given what has happened since.

Stoke vs Liverpool

The main talking points at the Britannia are likely to revolve around two Liverpool players, one of whom will definitely not be around next season and another whose presence seems increasingly unlikely. Steven Gerrard can be sure of a decent reception from both sets of fans as he bids farewell to the Premier League. Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, may elicit a rather different reaction, if Brendan Rodgers decides to select him at all.

The way the young winger, or rather his agent, has agitated for a move away from Anfield this summer has been deplorable, and Sterling, for all his talents, is in danger of becoming the poster boy for all that is wrong with English football. Liverpool boss Rodgers, meanwhile, will be desperate for a decent result to end a season that has spiralled into such chaos that even Mario Balotelli is no longer making headlines.

As for Stoke, safe for another season, with a record points haul and Mark Hughes building a useful side, Sunday's encounter will offer the fans the chance for some modern-day bear-baiting at Liverpool's expsense.

Arsenal vs West Brom

Arsene Wenger will not be overly pleased about his situation going into this game. Ideally he would like to rest some of his stars ahead of next week's FA Cup final, yet he cannot afford to lose the game if Man United find their scoring boots against Hull.

To make matters worse, Gunners have failed to score in their last three home games and their last win at the Emirates was against Liverpool in early April.

West Brom will have a spring in their step after beating champions Chelsea, so this could be a banana skin for the Arsenal.

Chelsea vs Sunderland

The jolliest game of the last round is likely to come at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will celebrate winning the league (again), and Sunderland fans will be basking in their great escape, which was confirmed with the goalless draw against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Who knows what the football will be like, but the atmosphere should be special.

Man City vs Southampton

The home side may have finished above the Saints in the table, but this is a final-day clash between the team that has the most to be pleased about this season and the team that can be most disappointed with its campaign.

The Saints were favourites for the drop at the start of the season but have been magnificent under Ronald Koeman. Their end-of-season party may have come last week against Aston Villa but Southampton will still enjoy their day at the Etihad, and victory could lift them to a remarkable fifth in the table.

City began the season expecting to defend their Premier League crown and although they will finish second it has been a far from satisfactory campaign since Christmas. Yaya Toure should get the chance to say farewell to the fans before leaving this summer and there will likely be a final bow for Frank Lampard.

The weekend's other fixtures:

SUNDAY

Aston Villa v Burnley

Crystal Palace v Swansea

Everton v Tottenham

Leicester v QPR