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The Premier League is heading for a classic title race, with Manchester City and Arsenal set for a thrilling battle as we enter the final weeks of the season.
But what was shaping up to be a three-way race for the title is now down to two challengers. Liverpool dropped points for the fourth time in five Premier League games as they were held to a 2-2 draw at West Ham, after a 2-0 defeat at Everton all but eliminated Jurgen Klopp’s from the title race.
It means Arsenal are the closest challengers to City’s crown and Mikel Arteta’s side took a big step to securing a first Premier League title in 20 years as they held on to claim a vital 3-2 win at Tottenham in a chaotic north London derby.
The champions have another game in hand after thrashing Brighton on Thursday night, as Guardiola’s side aim to win a fourth league title in a row – a feat that has never been achieved in the history of English football, and the title is still in their hands.
So, with three weeks to go, which team has the best fixtures and who has the hardest run of games to end the season?
Here’s where the title could be won and lost…
Points: 80 (played 35)
GD: +57
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.47
Difficulty: ★★★1/2
What a difference a week makes. Arsenal responded brilliantly to their defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and are full of belief once again despite that costly 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month.
Mikel Arteta’s side simply picked up where they left off, and a statement 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea sent a message that Arsenal are about to attack the run-in once more. It got nervy at Tottenham, but the Gunners held on to claim a vital win in the derby.
Arsenal know that only wins will do but they are leading from the front and will also have the advantage of playing at least one – or potentially two – fixtures ahead of City, until the champions play their remaining game in hand at Tottenham in the final week of the season.
There will be the opportunity to apply more scoreboard pressure when they host Bournemouth in early May. After that, it’s Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Arsenal still need City to drop points but they have rediscovered their form, and just look at that goal difference. It gives the Gunners a chance of pushing Pep Guardiola’s side to the end of the season.
Manchester City
Points: 79 (played 34)
GD: +50
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.44
Difficulty: ★★★1/2
Pressure? What pressure? City responded to falling two games and four points behind Arsenal by thrashing Brighton 4-0 without Erling Haaland. They then beat Nottingham Forest by two, with Haaland netting once off the bench.
City, after all, have been here before and their Premier League fixtures are looking favourable. A trip to Tottenham, where City have never won in the Premier League under Guardiola, is their toughest fixture of the run-in. The Gunners could do with a favour from their north London rivals, there.
That fixture will now be played in the final week of the season, after City reached another FA Cup final with victory over Chelsea. It could be a must-win match for Ange Postecoglou’s side, too, as Spurs aim to secure Champions League qualification. Tottenham will know what they need by then, too, after already facing Arsenal and Liverpool.
With Arsenal set to be a game ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side until then, it could create the illusion of City playing catch-up. But City are looking like champions again.
Points: 75 (played 35)
GD: +41
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.50
Difficulty: ★★★★
Liverpool could not afford any more dropped points after a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford and a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.
But it is Everton who may have landed the final blow as Jurgen Klopp lost at Goodison Park for the first time and Liverpool were stunned by Sean Dyche’s side in a 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside Derby.
It’s all but over for Klopp and Liverpool after a 2-2 draw at West Ham and there are still tricky fixtures to come.
Liverpool face Tottenham at Anfield before a trip to Aston Villa on Monday night in the final week of the season, giving Liverpool a tough final trio of games in May when Wolves at home on the final day is also considered. Their title hopes could be over by then, however.
Source: independent.co.uk
