The Premier League is heading for a traditional title race, with Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Arsenal set for a three-way battle because the season enters the run-in.
Manchester Metropolis, the defending champions, are aiming to win a fourth league title in a row below Pep Guardiola – a feat that has by no means been achieved within the historical past of English soccer. Metropolis blew Arsenal away in final yr’s run-in, however the Gunners are again within the combat this marketing campaign.
The Premier League is now in Arsenal’s fingers after Liverpool, who stood eight video games away from the title, dropped factors in opposition to Manchester United at Outdated Trafford. Jurgen Klopp has turned to thoughts video games to place the strain on Mikel Arteta’s challengers, who’re trying to win their first league title in 20 years.
However Metropolis are lurking, and now have a beneficial run forward of them. So, with seven video games to go, which crew has the most effective fixtures and who has the toughest run of video games to finish the season? Right here’s the place the title could possibly be gained and misplaced…
Arsenal
Factors: 71
GD: +51
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.62
Issue: ★★★★
Have Mikel Arteta’s facet learnt their lesson from final season? The Gunners gained simply three of their last 9 Premier League video games final yr, which included a four-game winless run, as they fell away within the title race.
However a 0-0 draw on the Etihad, the place they have been thrashed 4-1 final season, is an indication that Arsenal are harder challengers than they have been this time final yr. They now maintain the benefit over Liverpool on purpose distinction, after the Reds dropped factors at Outdated Trafford. Might that consequence be an indication of the twists and turns forward? In spite of everything, Arsenal nonetheless need to go to Outdated Trafford themselves on the penultimate weekend of the season.
Arsenal misplaced the title away from dwelling final yr and their destiny this season shall be decided on the highway once more. However Arteta’s facet are wanting immense defensively away from dwelling and have saved 5 clear sheets in a row within the Premier League after making mild work of Brighton. The Gunners possess the most effective purpose distinction within the Premier League – and that could possibly be essential.
There are nonetheless difficult exams to return – first up in opposition to Aston Villa on Sunday, after which what’s shaping as much as be an epic in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday 28 April. The truth that each Villa and Spurs are within the combat for the highest 4 and doubtlessly the ultimate Champions League spot solely provides to the drama.
In the meantime, participation within the latter levels of the Champions League will even make this season’s title race a distinct problem. Arsenal will face journey to Bayern Munich on Wednesday after taking part in out an exhilarating 2-2 draw on the Emirates.
Liverpool
Factors: 71
GD: +42
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.50
Issue: ★★★1/2
After close to misses in 2019 and 2022, Liverpool knew they have to be near excellent to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis within the title race – so a draw at Outdated Trafford will harm.
Jurgen Klopp has advised Liverpool to not panic, because the Reds stay proper within the race. They are going to be hoping Arsenal slip up and reap the benefits of what’s a beneficial run of fixtures forward of Could – even when a visit to Goodison Park and a midweek Merseyside Derby represents the identical type of emotional event that Liverpool struggled with at Outdated Trafford.
Of the title contenders, Liverpool have the trickiest final-three, and the opposite key clashes to look out for are these in opposition to sides chasing Champions League soccer. Liverpool face Tottenham at Anfield earlier than a visit to Aston Villa on Monday night time within the last week of the season, giving Liverpool a troublesome last trio of video games in Could when Wolves at dwelling on the ultimate day can also be thought of.
Having already gained the Carabao Cup, the Reds have been favourites to achieve the Europa League last and the Dublin showpiece on 22 Could. However a shock 3-0 defeat to Atalanta at Anfield means that’s now wanting unlikely, which may go away Klopp simply the Premier League to combat for in his last few weeks in cost.
Manchester Metropolis
Factors: 70
GD: +40
Avg. opponents PpG: 1.43
Issue: ★★★
The double treble continues to be on, and Manchester Metropolis are lurking ominously after returning to goalscoring type. The champions have been unable to beat both Liverpool or Arsenal of their two title showdowns both facet of the worldwide break, outcomes that left the champions third within the title race.
However they’ve since hit 4 targets within the wins over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, a powerful response to their irritating stalemate in opposition to the Gunners.
Metropolis, in spite of everything, have been right here earlier than and their fixtures are wanting beneficial now these video games in opposition to Liverpool and Arsenal are out of the equation. Up subsequent, Metropolis’s April schedule within the Premier League includes video games in opposition to groups within the Premier League’s backside 4 in Luton City and Nottingham Forest. A go to to out-of-form Brighton follows on Thursday 25 April.
It leaves a visit to Tottenham, the place Metropolis have by no means gained within the Premier League below Guardiola, as their hardest fixture of the run-in. That fixture will now be performed within the last week of the season after Metropolis reached the FA Cup semi-finals. It could possibly be a must-win match for Ange Postecoglou’s facet, too, as Spurs purpose to safe Champions League qualification. Tottenham will now what they want by then, too, after already dealing with Arsenal and Liverpool.
Nonetheless concerned in three competitions, Metropolis have the busiest schedule of the Premier League title contenders, though Luton at dwelling in between a Champions League quarter-final in opposition to Actual Madrid. Metropolis will host Madrid on Wednesday after an exhilarating 3-3 draw on the Bernabeu.
