Register for the Reading the Game newsletter by Miguel Delaney and receive it in your email for no cost.
Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s weekly newsletter for free.
The Premier League is gearing up for an exciting fight for the championship, as Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal prepare to compete for the top spot in the remaining matches.
Manchester City, who are the reigning champions, have their sights set on securing their fourth consecutive league title under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola. This will be a remarkable accomplishment, as it has never been done before in the English football league’s history. Last year, City dominated Arsenal in the final stretch, but the Gunners are determined to compete this season and they are not alone – a revived Liverpool team, who are nearing the end of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, are also in the running for the title.
On Sunday, Liverpool led by Klopp and City led by Guardiola may have their last confrontation at Anfield. This match could determine the title of the Premier League. After the international break in March, there will be another exciting match between Arteta’s team and the reigning champions at the Etihad. Arteta’s team has already defeated City earlier this season.
As we head into April, the Premier League title race gains momentum. However, which team has the most favorable schedule, and who will face the toughest opponents in the final stretch of the season? This could be the deciding factor in determining the champion.
Points: 63
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.44
Difficulty: ★★★1/2
In both 2019 and 2022, Liverpool narrowly missed out on winning, making it clear that they must strive for perfection to overthrow Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the competition for the title. The upcoming match on Sunday at Anfield could have a significant impact, especially since Guardiola has yet to defeat Liverpool at Anfield when playing in front of a crowd.
After that, the Reds have a favorable schedule, except for a second visit to Old Trafford within a few weeks (following the FA Cup quarter-final on March 17), which is notable for obvious reasons. Also worth noting is a Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, which may be rescheduled for later in the season. Jurgen Klopp’s record as Liverpool’s manager away at the team’s two biggest rivals is not the best.
Other than that, the main concerns to be aware of are potential conflicts against teams striving for a spot in the Champions League. This includes matches against Tottenham at Anfield and a away game against Aston Villa, making the last three games particularly challenging. Additionally, the final match at home against Wolves should also be taken into consideration.
Having already won the Carabao Cup, Klopp’s side are also still in the FA Cup and Europa League. In 2022, they took their pursuit of the quadruple all the way – even if they fell short in the Champions League final and in the title race. The Reds are once again heading for a dramatic final few weeks – but could Klopp lift the Premier League in his final season?
Manchester City
Points: 62
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.62
Difficulty: ★★★★
Can the champions replicate their winning form and reclaim the title after a challenging first-half of the season? Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, have emerged victorious in nine out of ten matches in the Premier League. However, prior to defeating Manchester United on Sunday, these wins were against teams ranked eighth or lower in the table.
The situation will change as City travels to Anfield, starting a period where the current champions will face four of the top-five teams in the Premier League in their next six matches. This includes consecutive matches against their main rivals for the title, Liverpool and Arsenal, with a break in between for international games. This will be followed by a visit to Tottenham, a team that City has not yet been able to defeat in the Premier League under Guardiola.
If City successfully complete that streak, they will most likely be crowned champions for the fourth consecutive year. They still have to reschedule a visit to Brighton and have upcoming home games against Luton and Wolves, possibly sandwiched between potential Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals in April and early May. City’s remaining games will be challenging, but mostly at the beginning of their schedule.
Points: 61
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.54
Difficulty: ★★★★
Has Mikel Arteta’s team taken away any lessons from last season? Arsenal only managed to win three out of their last nine Premier League matches, which included a four-game streak without a win, ultimately causing them to drop out of the title contention.
It’s imperative that they avoid a repeat of their previous performance and hopefully, they can turn it around when they return to the Etihad on March 31st. Arsenal has suffered eight consecutive losses against Manchester City on their home turf and their last victory was in January 2015. A draw in their upcoming match would provide a significant boost as they head into April and May.
In addition, Arsenal will face challenging matches against both Aston Villa and Tottenham, with their match against Tottenham in late April being particularly noteworthy. Their away games against Brighton, managed by Roberto de Zerbi, and Wolves, led by Gary O’Neil, may also prove to be tough. Furthermore, the looming visit to Old Trafford on the second to last weekend of the season adds to the intensity of the upcoming matches.
Unfortunately, Arsenal was not able to secure the title during away games last season. Their losses at the Etihad and dropped points while leading at Anfield and the London Stadium had costly consequences. This season, their success will once again depend on their performance on the road. Additionally, their involvement in the later stages of the Champions League will add a new level of difficulty to the title race.
The Gunners currently have the best goal difference in the Premier League due to their impressive attacking performance, including a 6-0 win against Sheffield United on Monday.
Rewording not possible – source: independent.co.uk
