Premier League making Arsenal-Chelsea play-off plan

If the two London clubs finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored a play-off will be necessary to decide third place and the automatic Champions League qualification spot.

That could happen if Chelsea draw at home to Everton, while Arsenal score two more goals than them in winning by the odd goal at Newcastle.

The problem for the Premier League would be where and when to play such a match and officials will start planning, while hoping the situation does not arise.

The league carried out similar contingency planning in 1996 when Manchester United and Newcastle had very similar points and goals totals going into the last few matches of the season, and even booked Wembley and printed some tickets for a possible title play-off. In the event, United won the title by four points.

This time, the demands on Wembley mean fitting in a play-off may prove impossible. The Champions League final and Football League play-off finals are already booked there, plus England’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland on 29 May.

A more likely venue would be West Ham’s stadium but there are possible fixture clashes as Chelsea have an end-of-season tour to the USA to play  two friendlies against Manchester City next week. However, the Premier League may insist that a play-off takes priority.

There are also England friendlies to consider – as well as the Republic of Ireland match England then travel to Rio de Janeiro to play Brazil on 2 June.

Neither club would want the season to stretch into June but the play-off regulation is part of Premier League rules, which state: “If at the end of the season. . . the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board.”