SIX GAMES TO GO: THE FIXTURES THAT WILL DECIDE THE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE

The Premier League title race took another huge twist at the weekend, with surprise defeats for Arsenal and Liverpool allowing Manchester City to claim top spot for the first time since November.

With one eye on their Champions League showdown against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola rotated his side against Luton Town and rested a number of key players – though they still romped to a 5-1 victory.

A day later, Liverpool needed to respond against Crystal Palace at Anfield but – just as was the case at Old Trafford a week earlier – they were profligate to the extreme, missing a host of chances in a 1-0 defeat.

Sunday’s action only got better for City when Arsenal also suffered an unlikely home loss against Aston Villa, with a stunning second-half display from Unai Emery’s side securing a 2-0 victory.

The Premier League title race is now back in City’s hands with six games left to play, though all three teams still face some huge hurdles to overcome…

MANCHESTER CITY

Current position: 1st | Points: 73 | Goal difference: +44

Guardiola had repeatedly claimed that Arsenal and Liverpool were favourites for the title due to their higher league placing but now, for the first time in five months, it is City who end a gameweek at the summit.

They could well drop back down to third on account of not playing a Premier League match this coming weekend, but the title is now back in their hands and, on paper at least, they appear to have the easiest run-in.

With half of their remaining six matches coming against bottom-half sides (only one of whom won this weekend), it is hard to look too far past City, though West Ham, Wolves and Brighton – on their day – are capable of upsets.

Biggest game remaining: Tottenham away

For all three sides, fourth-placed Tottenham are probably the most challenging side they have left to face. That is particularly true of City, with Spurs something of a bogey team. They may have won in north London in the FA Cup earlier this year, but Guardiola’s side had never previously even scored a goal at the stadium and Ange Postecoglou’s side are capable of causing plenty of problems despite their nightmare at Newcastle.

What the pundits are saying:

‘I’d probably go with Manchester City. They’ve done it. Their reaction to last week [drawing with Arsenal], they’ve really used their squad. For their experience, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne… I’d probably want to be there.

‘I went with Liverpool last week. Am I allowed to change my mind?! I think Man City will win all their [remaining] games.’ — Roy Keane on Sky Sports

ARSENAL

Current position: 2nd | Points: 71 | Goal difference: +49

Arsenal have been imperious at the Emirates this season and their back-line has been virtually impenetrable since the turn of the year, but they were stunned by Aston Villa on Sunday.

They now need to quickly dust themselves down ahead of a challenging Champions League clash away at Bayern Munich before a very tricky trip to Molineux just three days later.

Suddenly this is feeling like make-or-break territory for Arsenal’s season, with games against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in the next fortnight too, while they also have to traverse a dangerous trip to Old Trafford next month.

Biggest game remaining: The north London derby

Undoubtedly the most eye-catching Premier League game left for Arsenal is a trip to face north London rivals Tottenham. Last season’s 2-0 win for the Gunners was their only victory in their last nine Premier League visits to N17, while Spurs have a strong record against the top six this season. They also have two weeks’ rest before the game.

What the pundits are saying:

‘For me, it’s gone – 100 per cent. It’s completely turned on its head now.

‘Man City put pressure on them by playing first and they couldn’t handle it. But take nothing away from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa they were absolutely outstanding.’ — Paul Merson on Sky Sports

LIVERPOOL

Current position: 3rd | Points: 71 | Goal difference: +41

Liverpool may have racked up 21 shots and 3.04 Expected Goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday but they somehow conspired not to score and have now dropped to third place in the table.

For some, Jurgen Klopp’s side may actually have the easiest of the remaining fixtures and, barring a miracle against Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday, will likely only be competing in one competition come the end of the week.

A run of four away games in a row, starting in Bergamo and ending in east London, will be a pivotal period and maximum points will be required to restart their title charge, while matches against fourth-placed Aston Villa and fifth-placed Tottenham are also huge tests.

Biggest game remaining: The Merseyside derby

Despite Liverpool’s remarkable record against Merseyside rivals Everton, the derby already feels like a potential banana skin. Klopp has already mentioned it on several occasions and he knows the Toffees – who have performed better than their league placing suggests – will do everything possible to try and end their title push for good.

What the pundits are saying:

‘One thing about Liverpool is they have four away games after facing Atalanta – it could be their downfall.

‘Four away games is not nice. There are other things that can effect you such as being away from home. Liverpool will also not like going to Goodison Park.’ — Theo Walcott on BBC Radio 5 Live

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2024-04-15T07:28:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd