One of the tensest and most dramatic title races in the Premier League era seems destined to get its epilogue on the final day.
Manchester City’s pursuit of an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title has encountered firm resistance from Arsenal and Liverpool.
With one point separating the sides ahead of the last seven matchdays, every game is a mini-final from now until the end of the season, while any mistake could be fatal.
Of the three teams embroiled in a three-way title race, Pep Guardiola’s men face the most congested fixture schedule as they still compete on three fronts.
However, the remaining league games favour the reigning holders, as Arsenal and Liverpool have more challenging tasks awaiting them down the final stretch.
Arsenal
Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend after a 2-2 home draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League as they entertain fifth-placed Aston Villa at home.
Except for a goalless stalemate against Man City at the Etihad Stadium, the Gunners have won all nine remaining league matches in 2024 and will be optimistic ahead of this clash.
That will be a dress rehearsal for a trip to Munich for a crunch meeting with Bayern before they head to Molineux to take on mid-table Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Anything other than three points in the Midlands could be detrimental to Arsenal’s title hopes, with back-to-back all-London match-ups coming next.
Chelsea’s visit to the Emirates Stadium falls a week before arguably the most daunting challenge on the Arsenal fixture list as they play Tottenham Hotspur in a blockbuster London derby.
Beating Bournemouth at home the following weekend is imperative, not least because the Gunners travel to Old Trafford eight days later.
They’ve only won three away league matches against Manchester United in the 21st century, suggesting this could be a season-defining contest for Arteta’s side.
Relegation-battling Everton should be no match for Arsenal when the two sides meet in London on the final weekend.
Liverpool
Thursday’s 3-0 home loss to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie was unequivocal evidence of Jurgen Klopp’s preference.
Crystal Palace could feel Liverpool’s wrath on Sunday, especially as the game takes place at Anfield, where the Reds are unbeaten in all 16 Premier League matches this season.
After that, the 19-time English champions will hit the road three times on the trot to trade tackles with Fulham, Everton and West Ham United, respectively.
Nothing less than nine points from this stretch would satisfy Klopp, even though the Merseyside derby has recently proved a banana skin for Liverpool, particularly at Goodison Park.
Nearly a month from their home encounter against Palace, the Reds will return to Anfield for a handsomely-looking showdown against top-four hopefuls Tottenham.
Next on the Liverpool fixture list is a trip to the Midlands for another high-profile match-up versus Villa before a winnable-looking home meeting with Wolves in the season finale.
Manchester City
Unlike their rivals, Man City’s fixture schedule for the remainder of the season can inspire confidence in Guardiola’s corner.
Starting with a straightforward home game against newcomers Luton Town this weekend, they face a five-match sequence against sides sitting 10th or lower.
After Luton’s visit to the Etihad, Man City’s Premier League commitments will take a back seat for a fortnight to accommodate their European duties and FA Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea.
Guardiola’s troops resume their top-flight title chase at the Amex Stadium against underperforming Brighton & Hove Albion on April 25 before squaring off against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Man City’s penultimate home league game of 2023/24 pits them against Wolves and serves as a potential confidence booster ahead of two consecutive road trips.
While an away game against Fulham shouldn’t faze the Cityzens faithful, a mouth-watering match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the penultimate round could determine the fate of their title quest.
Barring a major surprise, Man City should take three points against West Ham at home on the final day.
If they hold up their end of the bargain and results elsewhere go their way, it could mark a historic feat for Guardiola’s treble hunters.
