Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis’s draw on Sunday left the Premier League title race poised for an exciting final 10 matches.
Leaders Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool are stage on factors, with Metropolis one behind and right here, the PA information company appears to be like at how the battle is shaping up.
Deja vu
Metropolis have received 5 of the final six titles, a run solely interrupted by Liverpool’s 2019-20 triumph.
There are sturdy echoes of the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons, which each noticed Metropolis champions by a single level forward of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
Liverpool completed the previous season on a nine-match successful run to push Metropolis all the best way, just for Pep Guardiola’s males to win their final 14 to remain forward.
Metropolis received 9 and drew three of their final 12 in 2021-22 to carry off a Liverpool facet who received 16 and drew two of their final 18, together with a 1-1 draw between the 2 rivals.
That scoreline has been repeated in each this season’s conferences – and with Klopp leaving his put up in the summertime, that sees his Premier League head-to-head with Guardiola end six wins to 5 in Klopp’s favour with seven attracts. Metropolis have scored 32 targets to Liverpool’s 27.
Each are flying once more within the second half of this season, with Metropolis successful 10 and drawing three video games since their final defeat at Aston Villa on December 6. Liverpool have received eight of their final 10 however might be left to rue Sunday’s draw and a defeat to Arsenal.
A brand new participant has entered the sport
The distinction this time round is the emergence of Mikel Arteta’s facet, who made a recreation run eventually season’s title earlier than fading within the house stretch.
Since coming back from this season’s winter break in Dubai they’ve received eight consecutive league video games, scoring 33 targets and conceding 4 – which might be important if it comes all the way down to purpose distinction. Arsenal’s is presently seven higher than Liverpool’s and 11 higher than Metropolis’s as they’re the league’s prime scorers, with 70 targets, and still have the very best defensive file with 24 conceded.
Final season a seven-match successful run from February took them eight factors clear – having performed a recreation greater than Metropolis – however they received solely three of their final 9 and misplaced 4-1 to Metropolis alongside the best way to complete 5 factors behind.
Victory within the title battle could be Arsenal’s first since 2004 they usually might want to channel the spirit of Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” – who went that full league season unbeaten – if they’re to keep away from a repeat of final season’s close to miss.
Up for grabs
The way in which issues stand within the Premier League prime three
With 10 matches to go, it couldn’t be a lot nearer… pic.twitter.com/OPPEe9eOVe
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 10, 2024
The challengers have comparable run-ins, with 4 opponents – Aston Villa, Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves – frequent to all three. Liverpool have Villa away however Spurs and Brighton at house, the inverse of Metropolis and Arsenal’s fixtures, whereas Wolves welcome Arsenal to Molineux however journey to Metropolis and Liverpool.
Tottenham’s go to on the weekend of April 27 stands out amongst Arsenal’s fixtures and Liverpool additionally face a derby, with a date to be confirmed for his or her journey to Everton. Metropolis have accomplished their engagements in opposition to native rivals Manchester United, who nonetheless should play Liverpool and Arsenal at Previous Trafford.
Liverpool have backside membership Sheffield United nonetheless to play, whereas Arsenal and Metropolis each host 18th-placed Luton. The common present league place of Arsenal’s remaining opponents is 9.3, in comparison with 9.5 for Metropolis and 10.1 for Liverpool.