Thought this might be a good thread to mirror the equally as enticing Relegation Watch Thread. The remaining schedule for the three title contenders is below. I added European and FA Cup Ties for fixture congestion context.
It's going to be a tight finish as all three are capable of winning out (I, personally, don't think that happens. But all are certainly capable). Here is a small write up on each team and my outlook for them.
Liverpool FC
Extremely disappointing draw vs Manchester United. Mistake by the young Quansah let Man United undeservedly back into the match with eternal whiner, Bruno Fernandes, capitalizing on the gift. Mainoo with a wonderful strike a few minutes later put the home team ahead before Salah rescued a point near the end. Damage limited but not the result Liverpool wanted and, frankly, deserved. 28 total shots and inexplicable lack of finishing was the story of the day. (In the two EPL matches this season vs United, Liverpool have managed 62 shots and come away with just 2 goals).
Upcoming fixture list comes against manageable teams in Palace, Fulham, and Everton. West Ham could be a tricky game coming at the end of a fourth (out of 5) consecutive away games. The start of May likely settles it for Liverpool with a home game to Tottenham and an away game to Villa. I expect a revengeful attitude vs Spurs after the first game between these two was so bizarre (Liverpool with two red card and a correct goal disallowed only to be undone by a late stoppage time own goal). Liverpool are hopeful for some returns in the near future with Curtis Jones making an appearance over the weekend. Jota and TAA are expected to return to training this week with Alisson expected by the end of April. Bajcetic, Thiago, and Matip are likely out for the season with the latter two possibly having already played their last games in Liverpool shirts.
Arsenal FC
Arsenal just keeps chugging along and churning out results. Since Jan 20, they have pulled off 5-0, 6-0, 5-0, 4-1, and 6-0 wins to go along with the the 3-0 dismantling of Brighton over the weekend. All of which has fattened their goal difference to an impressive +51 (especially when you think those six aforementioned games contributed to half that, +25).
They have a tricky end to April with Chelsea at home and Spurs away. If they can manage to get to May in 1st place, the title is theirs to lose. The only thing I can see that would slow them down is some untimely injuries or exhaustion. Arsenal have largely been able to avoid the injury bug with Timber being their only long-term absence. Arteta rotates his squad very little, only trusting the same 12-13 players. Progression through the CL and the additional (and demanding) games might catch up to them.
Manchester City
Manchester City probably has the easiest run in on paper as four of their remaining opponents are currently in the bottom half (Brighton is in 10th). Foden has played superbly in recent weeks and Guardiola knows what it takes to get his team over the line in a tight title race. (Fun stat: Pep Guardiola has managed in 14 seasons, this being his 15th. He has failed to win the league title in only three seasons: his last at Barcelona, his first at Man City, and the Covid year). The man is a serial winner and know how to set up and rotate his team for the business end of a long season. He may overthink cup competitions but he know how to handle a long and grueling season. Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake seem to be their only current injuries with Ederson and Gvardiol expected back this week. So Pep will pretty much have a full complement of players to select from and he is a master at keeping his team fresh. Plus, let's face it, his 2nd choice XI would beat most teams in EPL anyways.
The only potential area of slip up I see is the rearranged fixture vs Tottenham. Their only real open date is the midweek slot right before Championship Sunday (assuming CL progression). That might be a blessing in disguise for them because if they go into that penultimate game knowing a win puts them in the driver's seat, they will easily dismantle Spurs. But if it's earlier, Spurs have shown to be a thorn in Guardiola's side.
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Here are my predictions. This is just my opinion and I am fully aware I am seeing this through Liverpool red tinted glasses. So maybe it's more of a hope than a prediction:
After falling short by a single point in two of their title races with Man City in 2018-19 and 2021-22, I think Liverpool may just finally nick it in the end and send Klopp off into the sunset (that's my hope anyway!). Feel free to add your own predictions. Let's be civil in our discussions and enjoy this final title run in!
It's going to be a tight finish as all three are capable of winning out (I, personally, don't think that happens. But all are certainly capable). Here is a small write up on each team and my outlook for them.
Liverpool FC
Extremely disappointing draw vs Manchester United. Mistake by the young Quansah let Man United undeservedly back into the match with eternal whiner, Bruno Fernandes, capitalizing on the gift. Mainoo with a wonderful strike a few minutes later put the home team ahead before Salah rescued a point near the end. Damage limited but not the result Liverpool wanted and, frankly, deserved. 28 total shots and inexplicable lack of finishing was the story of the day. (In the two EPL matches this season vs United, Liverpool have managed 62 shots and come away with just 2 goals).
Upcoming fixture list comes against manageable teams in Palace, Fulham, and Everton. West Ham could be a tricky game coming at the end of a fourth (out of 5) consecutive away games. The start of May likely settles it for Liverpool with a home game to Tottenham and an away game to Villa. I expect a revengeful attitude vs Spurs after the first game between these two was so bizarre (Liverpool with two red card and a correct goal disallowed only to be undone by a late stoppage time own goal). Liverpool are hopeful for some returns in the near future with Curtis Jones making an appearance over the weekend. Jota and TAA are expected to return to training this week with Alisson expected by the end of April. Bajcetic, Thiago, and Matip are likely out for the season with the latter two possibly having already played their last games in Liverpool shirts.
Arsenal FC
Arsenal just keeps chugging along and churning out results. Since Jan 20, they have pulled off 5-0, 6-0, 5-0, 4-1, and 6-0 wins to go along with the the 3-0 dismantling of Brighton over the weekend. All of which has fattened their goal difference to an impressive +51 (especially when you think those six aforementioned games contributed to half that, +25).
They have a tricky end to April with Chelsea at home and Spurs away. If they can manage to get to May in 1st place, the title is theirs to lose. The only thing I can see that would slow them down is some untimely injuries or exhaustion. Arsenal have largely been able to avoid the injury bug with Timber being their only long-term absence. Arteta rotates his squad very little, only trusting the same 12-13 players. Progression through the CL and the additional (and demanding) games might catch up to them.
Manchester City
Manchester City probably has the easiest run in on paper as four of their remaining opponents are currently in the bottom half (Brighton is in 10th). Foden has played superbly in recent weeks and Guardiola knows what it takes to get his team over the line in a tight title race. (Fun stat: Pep Guardiola has managed in 14 seasons, this being his 15th. He has failed to win the league title in only three seasons: his last at Barcelona, his first at Man City, and the Covid year). The man is a serial winner and know how to set up and rotate his team for the business end of a long season. He may overthink cup competitions but he know how to handle a long and grueling season. Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake seem to be their only current injuries with Ederson and Gvardiol expected back this week. So Pep will pretty much have a full complement of players to select from and he is a master at keeping his team fresh. Plus, let's face it, his 2nd choice XI would beat most teams in EPL anyways.
The only potential area of slip up I see is the rearranged fixture vs Tottenham. Their only real open date is the midweek slot right before Championship Sunday (assuming CL progression). That might be a blessing in disguise for them because if they go into that penultimate game knowing a win puts them in the driver's seat, they will easily dismantle Spurs. But if it's earlier, Spurs have shown to be a thorn in Guardiola's side.
---
Here are my predictions. This is just my opinion and I am fully aware I am seeing this through Liverpool red tinted glasses. So maybe it's more of a hope than a prediction:
After falling short by a single point in two of their title races with Man City in 2018-19 and 2021-22, I think Liverpool may just finally nick it in the end and send Klopp off into the sunset (that's my hope anyway!). Feel free to add your own predictions. Let's be civil in our discussions and enjoy this final title run in!
