The ‘Run In’

Now that yesterday’s much hyped thriller has come and passed, we are now officially in the final quarter of the season, with 3 points separating 3 teams, for the first time in PL history.

All 3 teams have played each other home and away and it’s now a shootout for the title. One negative result for any team could essentially be the end of their challenge.

Liverpools fixtures
Sheff Utd (H)
United (A)
Palace (H)
Fulham (A)
Everton (A)
West Ham (A)
Spurs (H)
Villa (A)
Wolves (H)

Not the worst set on paper but 3 away games in a row (5 in a row if you include the Europa) looks the time where Liverpool could be most likely to drop points. I can see them winning at OT. If they don’t, it really blows the race wide open.

Arsenal’s fixture
Luton (H)
Brighton (A)
Villa (H)
Wolves (A)
Chelsea (H)
Spurs (A)
Bournemouth (H)
United (A)
Everton (H)

Probably the toughest on paper. Every game from Brighton to Spurs is a potential banana skin on paper when CL distractions are factored in. Arsenal did win 7 of the 8 corresponding fixtures last season, the one game we didn’t win was at OT. You would expect United to roll over for us on the 2nd last game of the season if it stops Liverpool and City winning the league.

City’s fixtures
Villa (H)
Palace (A)
Luton (H)
Brighton (A)
Forest (A)
Wolves (H)
Fulham (A)
Spurs (A)
West Ham (H)

On paper probably the easiest fixtures. City do have the added distraction of of the FA Cup but that has led to Spurs game being rescheduled, likely to be played at the final week of the season when Spurs have CL qualification wrapped up. If it stops Arsenal from winning the league, Spurs will no doubt do for City what United will do for us. There aren’t really many if any games you can see City slipping up in.

All 3 teams are in good form. Arsenal have won 8 of their last 9. City are unbeaten in 23 games across all competitions, and United are the only team outside the top 3 that Liverpool have dropped points against in the last 18 league games. All 3 clubs could conceivably keep those runs going until the end of the season and still end up with nothing.

If Liverpool get past the Everton game still on top, you would expect them to go on and win the league. If Arsenal are top after the NLD, you would think they have a massive chance of winning the league. City will have to work themselves into a spot where they can go top by beating Spurs.

One thing I will say, this is a new experience for all managers, not just Arteta. Every title Klopp has won, there was never really a race and Pep has never been in a 3 way title race before. City’s experience and Arsenal’s lack of was pivotal in the title race last year but this year I’m not so sure it will be.

Unfortunately, I do think Liverpool are the favorites and Klopp will get his fairytale ending, but I also believe Arsenal can win at least 8 of their last 9 games so who knows if that will be enough at the end. City probably have to win their last 9 games and even that might not be enough.