The Premier League title race is taking an increasingly indecisive turn. Beaten by Manchester City on Sunday (2-1), Arsenal saw their lead dangerously reduced at the top of the championship. The Gunners maintain first place with 70 points, but are only three points ahead of the Citizens (67 points), who also have a match in hand with five games remaining.
In this remote duel, several criteria could prove decisive in the designation of the future champion: 1. the goal difference, currently slightly favorable to Arsenal (+37 against +36). 2. The total number of goals scored, for the moment in favor of Manchester City (65 against 63). 3. Direct confrontations, dominated by the Citizens, who took four points against the Londoners. If the two teams finished in a perfect tie at the end of the 38 days on these three criteria, Manchester City would then be crowned champions.
Manchester City has the toughest schedule
Before getting there, Arsenal still have four games to play until the end of the season and their schedule is extremely busy if we add the semi-final against Atético Madrid on April 29 and May 5. Its domestic program is more accessible with only opponents ranked in the second half of the rankings. It starts on Saturday with Newcastle (14th), a team on alternating current and which remains on three consecutive defeats and ends with Crystal Palace which has nothing left to play.
Manchester City will no longer have a big shock but will have to deal with an FA Cup semi-final and meetings with Everton, Bournemouth and Brentford who are fighting for European qualification. Above all, Pep Guardiola’s men face Aston Villa, third in the championship, on the last day and who will fight to maintain their fourth place, qualifying for the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Premier League schedule
Arsenal-Newcastle, le 25 avril
Arsenal-Fulham, the 2nd
West Ham-Arsenal, May 10
Arsenal-Burnley, weekend of May 16
Crystal Palace-Arsenal, the weekend of May 24
Manchester City’s Premier League schedule
Burnley-Manchester City, le 22 avril (match en retard)
Everton-Manchester City, le 4 mai
Manchester City-Brentford, the 9th
Bournmouth-Manchester City, weekend of May 16
Manchester City-Crystal Palace, May 22 (match to be made up after the FA Cup)
Aston Villa-Manchester City, weekend of May 24
To summarize
Arsenal’s defeat against the Citizens reduces their lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points. As the end of the season approaches, the title will be decided on crucial details during the final days of the English championship.
Editor
Leave a Reply