Arsenal and Manchester City both picked up comfortable wins on Wednesday, putting added pressure on Liverpool to earn all three points in their clash with bottom dwellers Sheffield United
Liverpool must take all three points against Sheffield United on Thursday after Arsenal bumped them off the top of the Premier League table.
Wednesday saw a much-changed Gunners side ease to a 2-0 win at home to Luton, while reigning champions Manchester City demolished Aston Villa 4-1 to go level on points with Liverpool thanks to a sublime Phil Foden hat-trick. Arsenal are now top by a point and Liverpool’s superior goal difference on City keeps them second.
Jurgen Klopp’s side know that a victory at Anfield on Thursday would return them to the summit, with the Reds still control their own destiny, having benefited from Arsenal and City’s dull 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Liverpool’s game at home to Sheffield United is the first of their nine remaining fixtures, and after that it’s a journey to face arch rivals Manchester United this Sunday. Their run-in also includes a trip across Stanley Park to face Everton, as well as a tough-looking 12:30pm kick-off at West Ham later this month before facing Champions League-chasing Tottenham and Villa home and away respectively in May.
For Arsenal, their run-in sees them also face Spurs in what’s set to be a thrilling North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They’ve also got to play United on the road and this Saturday’s game at Brighton will be another difficult challenge for the Gunners to overcome.
In search of what’d be a record fourth successive Premier League title, City have the easiest-looking run-in of the trio but are yet to learn their game away to Tottenham will be scheduled. Spurs could have a big say on who comes out on top, as could Wolves, who also play all three teams.
Your turn! Who’ll win the Premier League title? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Premier League title race
1. Arsenal – P30, 68pts (GD +48)
2. Liverpool – P29, 67pts (GD +40)
3. Man City – P30, 67pts (GD +38)
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures
Brighton [A] – Saturday 6 April (5:30pm)
Aston Villa [H] – Sunday 14 April (4:30pm)
Wolves [A] – Saturday 20 April (7:30pm)
Chelsea [H] – Tuesday 23 April (8pm)
Tottenham [A] – Sunday 28 April (2pm)
Bournemouth [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Manchester United [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
Everton [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)
Manchester City’s remaining fixtures
Crystal Palace [A] – Saturday 6 April (12:30pm)
Luton [H] – Saturday 13 April (3pm)
Brighton [A] – Thursday 25 April (8pm)
Nottingham Forest [A] – Sunday 28 April (4:30pm)
Wolves [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Fulham [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
West Ham [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
Sheffield United [H] – Thursday 4 April (7:30pm)
Manchester United [A] – Sunday 7 April (3:30pm)
Crystal Palace [H] – Sunday 14 April (2pm)
Fulham [A] – Sunday 21 April (4:30pm)
Everton [A] – Wednesday 24 April (8pm)
West Ham [A] – Saturday 27 April (12:30pm)
Tottenham [H] – Saturday 4 May (TBC)
Aston Villa [A] – Saturday 11 May (TBC)
Wolves [H] – Sunday 19 May (4pm)
Two of the title chasers did their job on Wednesday and having made five changes to his starting line-up, Mikel Arteta was “very happy” with Arsenal’s comfortable win. “It was a really difficult game and credit to Luton, they are a very good side and make it difficult for us,” Arteta told TNT Sports.
“We scored two really good goals in the first half, in the second half, because of the way they play, we didn’t get the right rhythm. I am so happy with the boys who came in, they made a difference. Now we have a bigger squad with nearly everyone fit and available.”
