Premier League Pulse: The Title Run-In Analysed for Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City

• ARSENAL – 64 POINTS, +46 GD

Run home: Man City (A), Luton (H), Brighton (A), Aston Villa (H), Wolves (A), Chelsea (H), Spurs (A), Bournemouth (H), Man United (A), Everton (H)

Other commitments: UCL vs Bayern (leg one on April 10, leg two on April 18), either side of a stretch of games between Brighton and Wolves. More games if they progress.

Games to watch:

Manchester City (away)

It doesn’t get much bigger for Arsenal out of the international break, heading north to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners won the reverse fixture earlier this year and edged them on penalties in the Community Shield but haven’t won in Manchester since January 2015. 

Aston Villa (home)

A few weeks later, the Gunners face fourth-placed Aston Villa in a huge clash at home. The game comes wedged between Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final legs against Bayern Munich, meaning it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta manages his players. In an added bonus, Villa are also in Conference League action, meaning they will face a similar turnaround between matches. 

Tottenham (away)

As Arsenal begin to turn for home, their focus will turn to Tottenham in the second North London Derby of the season. Spurs would love nothing more than to play spoiler for the Gunners as they chase Champions League football of their own. The earlier fixture this season ended in a draw, but Arsenal won the meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season.

• LIVERPOOL – 64 POINTS, +39 GD

Run home: Brighton (H), Sheffield United (H), Man United (A), Palace (H), Fulham (A), Everton (A), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H)

Other commitments: UEL vs Atalanta (leg one on April 12, leg two on April 19), either side of games against United and Fulham. More games if they progress.

Games to watch:

Manchester United (away)

Liverpool will meet their old rivals Manchester United again during the run home at Old Trafford, in what shapes to be a huge contest. United won their last meeting in a dramatic victory in the FA Cup, while the two sides drew earlier this season at Anfield. United would love to play spoiler yet again as Liverpool look to end the Jurgen Klopp era on a high.

Everton (away)

The following week, Liverpool take on crosstown rivals Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Four of the last five meetings at Goodison have ended in a draw, and Everton will be equally desperate for points as they seek to avoid the drop.

Tottenham (home)

In their third last game of the season, Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to town in a blockbuster clash at Anfield. The Reds and Spurs have played some cracking games at Anfield in the past and this could be yet another, as both teams are set to be in the thick of their own push for the title and fourth respectively. It could be a short turnaround for Liverpool as well, should they progress to the semi-final of the Europa League.

• MANCHESTER CITY – 63 POINTS, +35 GD

Run home: Arsenal (H), Aston Villa (H), Palace (A), Luton (H), Brighton (A), Forest (A), Wolves (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H) – also play Spurs (A) but date is TBC due to FA Cup

Other commitments: UCL vs Real Madrid (leg one on April 10, leg two on April 18), between the Palace game and the FA Cup semi vs Chelsea on April 21. Game vs Spurs yet to be rescheduled.

Games to watch:

Arsenal (home)

This game is equally as big for Manchester City as they can wrestle back control of the title race with a win over Arsenal this weekend. City haven’t lost at home since November 2022, so history is on their side. It will be a fascinating matchup at the Etihad.

Aston Villa (home)

Only days after their clash against the Gunners, City take on Aston Villa at home. Pep Guardiola’s side lost the reverse fixture to Villa on the road, so they will be chomping at the bit to get some revenge. It will be interesting to see how Guardiola manages his team, especially with their match against Crystal Palace coming only days after in the early kick-off on Saturday.

Tottenham (away)

Tottenham can feasibly play spoiler for each of the three teams battling for the title when they also face Manchester City in the run-in. This game’s date is yet to be determined as a result of City progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals. Nonetheless, the stakes are set to be high for both teams when City travel to London to face Spurs on their home deck, having only just beaten Ange Postecoglou’s team at home for the first time in six attempt in January’s FA Cup clash.

Newcastle v West Ham 

Premier League action kicks off in the north as Newcastle take on West Ham at St James’ Park. European football is still firmly on the mind of both sides, but the Hammers are in a much better position to secure it as they sit in seventh. A win will be huge for either side’s hopes.

Bournemouth v Everton

Two sides desperate for points lock horns at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth welcome Everton. The Cherries are all but safe, with another win over Everton edging them closer to survival, while the Toffees need three points to kick clear of the sides inside the bottom three.

Chelsea v Burnley

Chelsea will be hoping to make it five games unbeaten when they take on Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are hoping to scale the table to end the season, and can do so with a win over Burnley – who as a result of Nottingham Forest’s points deduction and a win before the break – are right back in the hunt for survival.

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Fresh off their points deduction, Nottingham Forest welcome Crystal Palace to town for yet another relegation six pointer this weekend. Forest fell inside the bottom three as a result of the deduction and need a win badly this weekend, while Palace can edge closer to survival with three points on the road.

Sheffield United v Fulham 

It’s now or never for Sheffield United as they look to begin the long road to survival when they face Fulham at home. Sheffield are eight points inside the drop zone, and need points and fast to close the gap. Fulham, on the other hand, are safe in mid-table and are hoping to end the season on a high.

Tottenham Hotspur v Luton

Two sides desperate for points at opposite ends of the table lock horns this weekend, as Tottenham take on Luton. Spurs lost ground in the race for fourth with a disappointing loss to Aston Villa before the break and needs a win at home to keep pace, while Luton escaped the bottom three as a result of Forest’s points deduction, but sit only a point clear of the drop.

Aston Villa v Wolves

Aston Villa are looking to edge closer to a place in the UEFA Champions League, when they host Wolves. Villa have dropped points in their last two games and sit only three points clear of Spurs in fourth, while Wolves are still in the hunt for European football. It’s set to be an entertaining contest at Villa Park.

Brentford v Manchester United

Manchester United will be hoping to spark a late push for a UEFA Champions League berth, when they take on a desperate Brentford. United went into the break with some good form, but need to continue winning to really ramp up the pressure on the sides above them. Their opponents also require a win to kick clear of the bottom three as they sit only five points clear.

Liverpool v Brighton

The Premier League title race ramps up again when Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield. Liverpool need a win to keep pace at the top, and could return to first place depending on the result between Manchester City and Arsenal. Brighton, on the other hand, are still battling for a place in Europe next year. Expect goals and plenty of them.

Manchester City v Arsenal

The game of the round comes from the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City take on Arsenal in a titanic clash which is set to have a huge say on the title race. City sit a point behind the Gunners and can go top with a win and Liverpool not winning against Brighton, while Arsenal can kick clear with their first win at the venue in over nine years.

Bournemouth v Everton – Draw

Chelsea v Burnley – Chelsea to win

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace – Draw

Sheffield United v Fulham – Fulham to win

Tottenham Hotspur v LutonTown  – Tottenham to win

Aston Villa v Wolves – Aston Villa to win

Brentford v Manchester United – Manchester United to win

Liverpool v Brighton – Liverpool to win

Manchester City v Arsenal – Draw