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Chelsea and Arsenal would play-off for third in case of a tie
PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs will draw up contingency plans for a possible play-off between Arsenal and Chelsea for automatic qualification into the Champions League.
If they finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored, a play-off would decide third place.
That could happen if the Gunners win 2-1 at Newcastle and Chelsea draw 0-0 at home to Everton on Sunday, or any scorelines in which the Blues draw and Arsenal bag two more goals than them and win by the odd goal.
The problem for the Premier League would be where and when to stage such a match.
The league had contingency plans in 1996 when Newcastle and Manchester United had similar points and goals totals, and even booked Wembley for a possible title play-off.
United went on to win the Premier League easily though.
But this time, the demands on Wembley mean fitting in such a play-off game might prove impossible.
A more likely venue would be West Ham’s Upton Park stadium.