The seven Premier League fixtures that will decide the title race | Football

Liverpool’s profligate draw at Old Trafford has allowed Arsenal to claim top spot after their own 3-0 victory at Brighton – a result which bumps up their healthy goal difference even more – while City are breathing down their necks after coming from behind against Crystal Palace.

With just seven games left of the season, there are only a maximum of 21 points still up for grabs – while all three teams have to grapple with the demands of European football too.

Defending champions City may have – on paper at least – the easiest run-in but they are the only side still competing in three competitions, and all three title challengers face some enormous hurdles.

Let’s take a look at the remaining fixtures and the key matches that will decide the destination of the Premier League title…

Unlike their title rivals, Jurgen Klopp’s side do not have Champions League football to contend with and have also landed in the kinder half of the Europa League draw. Atalanta, who are sixth in Serie A, await in the quarter-final before either Benfica or Marseille in the semi-finals.

A run of four away games in a row, starting in Bergamo and ending in east London, feels like a pivotal period for Liverpool’s title challenge, while matches against fourth-placed Tottenham and fifth-placed Aston Villa are also huge tests.

Biggest game remaining: The Merseyside derby

Despite Liverpool’s remarkable record against Merseyside rivals Everton, the derby already feels like a potential banana skin. Klopp has already mentioned it on several occasions and he knows the Toffees – who have performed better than their league placing suggests – will do everything possible to try and rain on their title parade.

What the pundits are saying:

‘One thing about Liverpool is they have four away games after facing Atalanta – it could be their downfall.

‘Four away games is not nice. There are other things that can effect you such as being away from home. Liverpool will also not like going to Goodison Park.’ — Theo Walcott on BBC Radio 5 Live

MANCHESTER CITY

Current position: 3rd | Points: 70 | Goal difference: +40

Of the three teams still competing for the title, Manchester City perhaps have the easiest Premier league fixtures but the most demanding volume of games with both Champions League and FA Cup ties to contend with.

They could hardly have asked for an easier fixture between their quarter-final ties against Real Madrid, though, with Luton Town having given up 46.5 Expected Goals on their travels – which is 10 more than the next worst.

With four of their last seven Premier League matches against bottom-half sides, it is hard to look too far past City, though West Ham and Brighton – on their day – are capable of upsets.

Biggest game remaining: Tottenham away

For all three sides, fourth-placed Tottenham are probably the most challenging side they have left to face. That is particularly true of City, with Spurs something of a bogey team. They may have won in north London in the FA Cup earlier this year, but Pep Guardiola’s side had never previously even scored a goal at the stadium and Ange Postecoglou’s side are capable of causing plenty of problems.

What the pundits are saying:

‘I’d probably go with Manchester City. They’ve done it. Their reaction to last week [drawing with Arsenal], they’ve really used their squad. For their experience, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne… I’d probably want to be there.

‘I went with Liverpool last week. Am I allowed to change my mind?! I think Man City will win all their [remaining] games.’ — Roy Keane on Sky Sports