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Arsenal, City and Liverpool are all still in with a shot. How it goes will depend a lot on these fixtures.
As the 2023-24 Premier League season reaches its climax, the title race has narrowed down to three of England’s footballing giants: Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. With just a point separating the trio and ten games left on the calendar, every match between now and the end of the campaign has the potential to tip the scales in what is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling title races in recent memory.
The Gunners have surged to the forefront of the title challenge. Kai Havertz’s late winner in the 2-1 victory against Brentford at the Emirates injected fresh momentum into their campaign. Meanwhile, the direct clash between Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and Pep Guardiola’s Blues ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Anfield, ensuring that the race remains wide open. As fans and pundits alike pore over the remaining fixtures, certain matches stand out for their potential impact on the final standings.
Arsenal’s Gauntlet
The North London outfit faces a daunting run-in, perhaps the most difficult of all three protagonists. Their title credentials are set to be rigorously tested in three key away fixtures. Even though Arsenal currently sit at the division’s summit, OddsChecker, a website which compares the best odds and bonus bets from leading bookmakers, currently makes them the least favored of the three contenders.
The first of Arsenal’s challenges comes on March 31st when they face off against the reigning champions and current favorites Manchester City at the Etihad. The same clash last season ended in a 4-1 victory for the hosts and all but ended the Gunners' hopes of lifting the title.
Four weeks later, Arsenal will have to travel to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur to contest the North London derby. You can bet your bottom dollar that Spurs will be doing all they can to end their archrivals’ title aspirations once and for all.
Finally, Mikel Arteta’s men travel to Old Trafford on the penultimate weekend of the season in a clash that could make or break the hopes of all three sides. The Red Devils are arch rivals with all three title contenders. They could still have a massive say as to where the famous trophy ends up this season, despite not being a part of the race themselves.
Manchester City’s Tests
Pep Guardiola’s side, known for their tactical prowess and depth of squad, also face a challenging run towards the season’s end. Their home game against Arsenal on March 31st is pivotal, not just for the points but for the psychological advantage it could afford. City already know they have the mental edge over the Gunners after the conclusion to last season, but another dominating victory in this one could send Arsenal spiralling once again.
Following this, the Cityzens also have a tricky away fixture, as they too have to face Tottenham in North London on April 20th. Spurs have proven to be a tough nut to crack for City, who have lost in all three of their league trips to the newly minted Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Liverpool’s Hurdles
Liverpool, always relentless in pursuit of glory under Jürgen Klopp, also have their work cut out for them. An away game against rivals Manchester United on April 7th looms large. The rivalry between these two clubs is legendary. A win at Old Trafford would be a significant morale booster for the injury-ravaged Reds. Liverpool have dominated at the Theatre of Dreams in recent years, winning in two of their last three trips there and scoring ten goals in the process.
Then, it’s Liverpool’s turn to face Tottenham when they host them at Anfield on May 4th, completing Spurs’ trifecta of matches against the leading trio. Finally, a visit to Aston Villa on May 11th could potentially provide one final twist in the tale for Klopp and his Reds, with Villa Park known to be a historically difficult venue for visiting teams.
The league race is well and truly on as the season reaches the latter end. Arsenal, City and Liverpool are all still in with a shot. How it goes will depend a lot on these fixtures.
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