Arsenal and Chelsea could be set for an end-of season play-off to decide which team gets an automatic spot in the Champions League group stages next season.

That's because the two teams have a very realistic chance of finishing level on points in the Premier League: if the Gunners win 2-1 at Newcastle and Chelsea draw 0-0 at home to Everton on the final day, the teams would be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.

That would make the clubs joint third and Arsenal and Chelsea would have to face a play-off for the automatic Champions League qualification spot, with the loser having to go into the preliminary rounds in the summer.

Scheduling the match would be a huge headache for the Premier League, since Chelsea have an end-of-season tour to the USA to play friendlies against Manchester City next week, and then there are England friendlies on May 29 against the Republic of Ireland and then in Brazil on June 2.

Neither club would want the season to stretch into June, but the play-off regulation is part of Premier League rules.

They 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."

Manchester City have confirmed the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini.The Italian, who joined the club in late 2009, won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title last season.
This season, however, the club have lost out to neighbours Manchester United in the league, suffered a shock defeat to Wigan Athletic in Sunday's FA Cup final, and were eliminated in the group stages of the Champions League.
Rumours have been swelling that Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini will replace the Italian, though the Chilean denied any such agreement was in place.
Mancini, who had four years left on a five-year contract, has been reportedly paid £28 million in compensation by the club for the termination of his contract - although contrasting reports suggest that could be limited to £7m, the equivalent of a single year's wages, by a clause in the deal he signed last summer.
Assistant manager Brian Kidd will take the reins for the club's two remaining Premier League fixtures this season.

Congratulations to ITFC on winning the koisports FA Cup prediction league 2013. Well done Objas for 2nd and Alan for 3rd.

Well done Geordie Gaylord for 4th place not sure who you are but you managed to get one over Toonraider which in normal circumstances sounds more like an Arsen Wenger thing.

Bad Luck Andygunner thats another season the arsenals won F all.

A football referee in America has died after being punched in the head by a player over a yellow card.
A 17-year-old player struck the referee, Ricardo Portillo, in the head last week after Portillo penalised the teenager during a game in a Salt Lake City suburb.
The player, whose name was withheld because he is a juvenile, was upset because Portillo had issued him a yellow card.
Portillo, 46, of Salt Lake City, was taken by ambulance to a hospital to be treated for what was initially believed to be minor injuries. It was later determined that Portillo had suffered more substantial head trauma.
He lapsed into a coma before dying one week after the incident.
The teenager is being held at a juvenile detention facility on suspicion of aggravated assault, a felony. The player is expected to be formally charged next week.

Arsene Wenger has already agreed a summer move to take over as manager of Paris St Germain, according to Tuesday's papers - and he could be bringing Cristiano Ronaldo in to join him.

The Daily Telegraph reports: "PSG’s most senior figures have been telling members of their circle that Wenger has been persuaded to leave north London after 17 years in charge of Arsenal.

"Their least optimistic scenario is that he will move to Paris in the summer of 2014 when his current deal at Arsenal expires. But PSG’s owners have sounded adamant in recent days that they can tempt him to cross the channel 12 months early.... The club's proprietors have told friends that Wenger is on his way to Paris."