The Premier League statistically has its closest title race for a decade.
Not since 2014, when instead of Arsenal it was Chelsea challenging Manchester City and Liverpool, have the top three in the Premier League been so close together.
Just one point separated this season’s top three before Easter weekend, when a crucial game between City and Arsenal was scheduled.
A 0-0 stalemate means there is now a chink of daylight to Liverpool at the top, but still no clear water: one result could still change everything.
But for all the Peter Dury-glazed drama of which Sky Sports ensures us there will be plenty, we will not see the three Premier League heavyweights face each other again this year.
That foible of the fixture computer means fans of each team may spend as much time watching their rivals as they do their own – and hoping that one of the other sides may do them a favour.
Of the remaining fixture lists for each side, only three teams appear on the calendar for all three: Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves. For the first time in some years, England’s top-flight title may be decided in the West Midlands. Here’s how…
Tottenham
- vs Arsenal, 28 April, 2pm (H)
- vs Liverpool, 4 May, kick-off tbc (A)
- vs Man City, date and kick-off tbc (H)
Ange Postocoglou briefly had Spurs fans believing they would have a big say in the title race by competing in it, starting the season 10 games unbeaten and top of the table for most of October.
But three defeats in four brought Tottenham back down to earth with a bump and now they look like they are in a battle for fourth place.
However, there is a strong argument that Spurs have their fate in their own hands given they are one of the few teams who will play all three of the title chasers.
It is unlikely, but winning their game in hand and those three fixtures, and they would surely have fought their way back into the title race conversation.
As it is, they instead could derail any one of the leading contenders – but they could face Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in back-to-back games.
Their City game is still postponed because of the FA Cup semi-finals, but could easily fall in a midweek slot in early May, after the north London derby and their trip to Anfield. But Spurs will have the confidence of knowing they beat City at the Tottenham Stadium last year – and City have still never scored at the new ground in five visits.
Aston Villa
- vs Man City, 3 April, 8.15pm (A)
- vs Arsenal, 14 April, 4.30pm (A)
- vs Liverpool, 11 May, kick-off tbc (H)
Like Spurs, Villa will be dreaming of making themselves an unlikely part of the Premier League race.
Given their form against the top three clubs, you’d find it hard to disagree with them. In the space of just four games in December, they picked up 1-0 wins over Manchester City and then Arsenal.
Those two games were at Villa Park and the big challenge for Unai Emery’s men will be to take that kind of performance on the road to the Etihad in midweek and then to the Emirates in two weeks’ time.
They have a slight disadvantage in that game because it falls between their two European quarter-finals against Lille, albeit the travel to northern France should not be too arduous.
Villa’s most impactful fixture could come on the penultimate weekend of the season when they host Liverpool. However, they have not beaten the Reds in the league since that remarkable 7-2 win in October 2020. The best they have managed in the seven meetings since is a solitary draw.
Wolves
- vs Arsenal, 20 April, 7.30pm (H)
- vs Man City, 4 May, kick-off tbc (A)
- vs Liverpool, 19 May, 4pm (A)
Not even the most optimistic Wolves fan would have expected their side to be involved in the title race, but they very much are, albeit in a slightly tangential way.
They have already taken points off City this season, having broken a six-game losing streak to Guardiola’s team back in September thanks to a winner from Hwang Hee-chan.
That being said, Wolves only have five away wins this season while City are yet to lose on their own turf in the league.
The only other unbeaten team at home this year? Liverpool, who will be hoping to seal the Premier League title at Anfield on 19 May against Wolves.
Who do the experts think will win the league?
Speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday, ex-Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville: “I said Arsenal before the season and I’m not going to start changing my prediction. If Liverpool win at Old Trafford next Sunday, they would be in great shape mentally, but there’s still a long way to go. Manchester City could win all nine games.”
Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott: “At the start of the season I did fancy Liverpool. Looking at Arsenal today… I think they showed they can really grind results out. A lot of teams will take a lot from Arsenal’s performance today and might affect how Man City play and get results now.”
Ex-City and England defender Micah Richards: “It all depends on what happens in Europe, doesn’t it? City have got Madrid, Arsenal have got Bayern, Liverpool have got Atalanta. You [Neville] went Arsenal, I went City – I’m going to stick with Man City.”
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/PulbrOs
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