Much like last season, Manchester City find themselves chasing down the league leaders ahead of the end of season run in.
Pep Guardiola’s side sit second in the table, four points behind Liverpool at the top but with a game in hand on their rivals. They are also a point ahead of Arsenal in third in what looks to be a riveting three-horse race.
And at a glance, City arguably have the easiest run-in, but with Liverpool and Arsenal still to play it will be an almighty test for the reigning champions. A lot has been said regarding City’s springtime relentlessness but the minor setback against Chelsea has offered Klopp and Arteta hope that this City team will drop more points between now and the end of the season.
Before Liverpool and Arsenal, City first host Manchester United on March 3. These days, United are often swept aside away to Manchester City but United have won four out of their previous eight visits to the Etihad in all competitions. All three title-chasing sides still have to face United, with Ten Hag’s side potentially playing a key role in dictating where the title goes.
March will be a decisive month in the title race, with City travelling to face Liverpool at Anfield on March 10 and then hosting Arsenal two weeks later on March 31. Whatever the outcome of those games will no doubt prove crucial in who takes home the trophy.
Then comes the bogey game for Guardiola as he takes City to Tottenham on April 20. It took Manchester City over 100 shots and more than nine hours, but Guardiola’s side finally scored a goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Nathan Ake’s header progressed City to the next round of the FA Cup last month.
Guardiola may have figured out a formula for playing away to Spurs, but for whatever reason they always seem to struggle in that part of north London, and it will be certainly one to bookmark as a potential title decider.
Like Arsenal, City could also be involved in the latter stages of the Champions League and as mentioned they are also still in the FA Cup. No team has ever been crowned Premier League champions four times in a row and maybe that unprecedented feat will give further encouragement to Liverpool and Arsenal.
