For weeks on end, it looked as though Manchester City would run away with the Premier League title – but, just like that, Liverpool are hot on their heels, and we find ourselves relishing the prospect of a thrilling title race, with nine matches remaining. City’s lead has been to cut just one point after Liverpool beat Arsenal earlier last week, and Jürgen Klopp’s side is back amongst the Premier League betting odds.
With an international break now interrupting proceedings, let’s take stock of the Premier League table as we dissect both teams’ run-ins to see who has the best chances of lifting the trophy come to the end of the season.
Form
Liverpool is the in-form team, and there’s no denying that their run of recent results has helped them claw their way back in the title race. The Reds have now won nine league games on the bounce, in addition to their excellent runs in both the Champions League and FA Cup. While fixtures come thick and fast between now and the end of the campaign, you simply can’t see when they’ll drop points again.
City may have been held to a draw by Crystal Palace in their most recent fixture, but there’s no cause for concern for Pep Guardiola’s men – they created enough opportunities and, on another day, could have won by a hatful of goals. However, when you look at the form table, they’ve won three of their last five Premier League matches – and while that includes demolition of their neighbors in red, some of those draws really need to turn into wins – especially with the gap at the top closing as it has.
Crunch match – or is it?
City host Liverpool on April 10th, and while it’s too early to assume that the winner of that one could go on to win the Premier League title, stranger things have happened. Should Liverpool win it, they’d only potentially be two points ahead, while a home win would see the Citizens increase the gap at the top to four points. There would still be seven matches remaining – so it is all still to play for.
Remaining fixtures
Guardiola’s side has a reasonable run-in, with Liverpool and West Ham their only opposition in the top seven. When it comes to the latest Premier League football tips, you just can’t see too many teams causing them problems. However, it’s just as tight at the wrong end of the table, with many teams scrapping at the bottom and fighting for survival. City faces the likes of Burnley, Watford, and Leeds United – and while not mathematically safe, Brighton, too, is in free-fall and could prove to be easy pickings for City.
Liverpool faces Watford next, prior to their trip to the Etihad – but are yet to face several teams in the top seven. Towards the end of their campaign, the Reds host Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with both teams still looking to secure a place in the top four. However, with the prospect of three trophies still up from grabs, Klopp’s side could suffer from fixture congestion, with nine matches to be played next month. That said, Liverpool has won their last nine matches, and if they win their next nine, you can guarantee the title will be heading to Anfield.
