There are just two points separating the top three with 12 rounds remaining but the fixtures favour one team…
This time last year, it looked like Arsenal were going to win a first Premier League title since 2004. Unfortunately for the Gunners’ long-suffering supporters, Mikel Arteta’s exciting young side ran out of steam down the home stretch and Manchester City finished first yet again.
The champions are favourites to prevail once again this season but, as we enter March, they’re now under even more pressure than last year, with Liverpool having emerged as serious title contenders during what was supposed to be a season of transition at Anfield. Indeed, it is the revamped Reds who presently top the table, one point ahead of City, and two clear of Arsenal.
Will they stay there, though? Jurgen Klopp’s squad is chasing a quadruple and has been ravaged by injury in recent weeks, while City have, as usual, clicked into gear just in time for the business end of the season. As for Arsenal, they’ve been brilliant in the league since the turn of the year and firmly believe they can end their title drought.
But who will come out on top? GOAL attempts to predict the future by running through all three teams’ remaining fixtures below…
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool (15:00)
Forest are an awkward proposition at home but the injury-ravaged Reds should have Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai back.
Prediction: 1-2
Sun, Mar 3:
Manchester City vs Manchester United (15:30)
They say form goes out the window in a derby but Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are firing on all cylinders and should blow Erik ten Hag’s frustratingly fragile squad away.
Prediction: 4-1
Mon, Mar 4:
Sheffield United vs Arsenal (20:00)
The hosts are all-but-relegated, so expect the suddenly free-scoring Gunners to win comfortably once again.
Prediction: 0-3
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Liverpool 27 +39 63
Man City 27 +36 62
Arsenal 27 +42 61
Matchday 28
Sat, Mar 9:
Arsenal vs Brentford (17:30)
There would be a tremendous irony in Ivan Toney upsetting the Gunners’ title charge but Arteta’s men should have little trouble beating the Bees at home.
Prediction: 3-1
Sun Mar 10:
Liverpool vs Manchester City (15:45)
Much will depend on Klopp’s injury list but if a few more regulars are back, we can see the Reds and the champions cancelling one another out in an exciting draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Updated Premier League table:
Pos Team Played GD Points
Arsenal 28 +44 64
Liverpool 28 +39 64
Man City 28 +36 63
Matchday 29
As it stands, all three teams’ fixtures will be rearranged because of the FA Cup quarter-finals. The new dates have yet to be announced, though.
TBC
Arsenal vs Chelsea
It really shouldn’t matter when the Gunners face the Blues’ “billion-pound bottle-jobs”, they should sweep them aside at the Emirates.
Prediction: 2-0
TBC
Everton vs Liverpool
The scheduling could be key here. If the Reds must face their relegation-threatened rivals during a hectic period, we can see them being held to a disappointing draw at Goodison.
Prediction: 0-0
TBC
Brighton vs Manchester City
We know that Roberto De Zerbi’s side won’t fear the champions but they could be distracted by the Europa League depending on the timing of the game.
Prediction: 1-3
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Arsenal 29 +46 67
Man City 29 +38 66
Liverpool 29 +39 65
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling HaalandGetty Images
Matchday 30
Sun, Mar 31:
Liverpool vs Brighton (14:00)
The Reds might have to endure some hairy moments but they should have some top players back after the international break, allowing them to pile the pressure on their title rivals with an ultimately comfortable win.
Prediction: 3-1
Manchester City vs Arsenal (16:30)
The Gunners have already proven that they can beat Pep Guardiola’s men at home but they’re likely to once again fold at the Etihad in demoralising fashion.
Prediction: 3-0
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 30 +41 69
Liverpool 30 +41 68
Arsenal 30 +43 67
Matchday 31
Wed, Apr 3:
Arsenal vs Luton (19:30)
The Gunners will bounce back from their Etihad setback by hammering the Hatters.
Prediction: 5-0
Manchester City vs Aston Villa (20:15)
Ollie Watkins & Co. will cause City’s vulnerable defence all sorts of problems but the hosts will scape a vital victory.
Prediction: 3-2
Thurs, Apr 4:
Liverpool vs Sheffield United (19:30)
The Reds will run riot at Anfield to keep themselves right in the thick of the title race.
Prediction: 4-0
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 31 +42 72
Liverpool 31 +45 71
Arsenal 31 +48 70
Ten Hag Klopp splitGetty
Matchday 32
Sat, Apr 6:
Crystal Palace vs Man City (12:30)
The champions might have one eye on the Champions League quarter-finals but won’t be troubled at all by the Eagles.
Prediction: 0-3
Brighton vs Arsenal (17:30)
We foresee an awkward evening at the Amex for Arteta and his players, resulting in them dropping two precious points.
Prediction: 1-1
Sun, Apr 7:
Manchester United vs Liverpool (15:30)
Erik ten Hag’s team frustrated the life out of the Merseysiders at Anfield and we think they’ll do so again here.
Prediction: 0-0
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 31 +45 75
Liverpool 31 +45 72
Arsenal 31 +48 71
Erling Haaland Kevin De BruyneGetty
Matchday 33
Sat, Apr 13:
Manchester City vs Luton (15:00)
The champions will roll right over a team they’ve already destroyed in the FA Cup this season.
Prediction: 4-0
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (17:30)
The Gunners will stumble again, this time against their former boss Unai Emery, who will be chasing Champions League football with Villa.
Prediction: 2-2
Sun, Apr 14:
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (14:00)
The Reds will keep their title dream alive with a routine win at Anfield.
Prediction: 3-0
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 33 +49 78
Liverpool 33 +48 75
Arsenal 33 +48 72
Luis Diaz Liverpool 2023-24Getty Images
Matchday 34
Weekend of Apr 20/21:
Tottenham vs Manchester City (TBC)
Spurs will breathe new life into the title race by once again raising their game against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Prediction: 1-1
Fulham vs Liverpool (TBC)
It won’t be pretty but the Reds will get the job done at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: 1-2
Wolves vs Arsenal (TBC)
The Gunners will also be made to work hard before getting the three points they need to get back in touch.
Prediction: 0-1
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 34 +49 79
Liverpool 34 +49 78
Arsenal 34 +49 75
Gabriel Jesus Arsenal 2023-24Getty
Matchday 35
Weekend of Apr 27/28:
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (TBC)
A facile win at the City Ground keeps Guardiola’s troops on top of the table.
Prediction: 0-3
West Ham vs Liverpool (TBC)
The Reds’ resilience is on show again as they battle their way to victory at the London Stadium.
Prediction: 1-2
Tottenham vs Arsenal (TBC)
A fired-up Spurs take enormous pleasure out of dealing a devastating blow to their north London rivals’ title hopes.
Prediction: 2-2
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 35 +52 82
Liverpool 35 +50 81
Arsenal 35 +49 76
Darwin Nunez Liverpool 2023-24Getty
Matchday 36
Weekend of May 4/5:
Liverpool vs Tottenham (TBC)
The Reds just about keep their title bid on track by edging another thriller with Spurs at Anfield.
Prediction: 3-2
Manchester City vs Wolves (TBC)
The unrelenting champions see off Gary O’Neil’s side with the minimum of fuss.
Prediction: 3-0
Arsenal vs Bournemouth (TBC)
The Gunners do what they need against The Cherries to remain mathematically in with a shout but, in reality, their race is now run.
Prediction: 3-1
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 36 +55 85
Liverpool 36 +51 84
Arsenal 36 +51 79
Matchday 37
Weekend of May 11/12:
Fulham vs Man City (TBC)
The champions take a huge step towards the title with victory at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: 1-3
Aston Villa vs Liverpool (TBC)
The Reds suffer a hammer blow by being held in Birmingham to leave themselves needing a final-day miracle.
Prediction: 2-2
Manchester United vs Arsenal (TBC)
The Gunners claim a creditable, hard-fought win at Old Trafford but it’s too little, too late for Arteta and his players.
Prediction: 1-2
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 37 +57 88
Liverpool 37 +51 85
Arsenal 37 +52 82
Erling Haaland Premier League trophy Manchester City 2022-23Getty
Matchday 38
May 19:
Liverpool vs Wolves (TBC)
The Reds wrap up a remarkable campaign with a home victory but Klopp exits the Premier League having been once again forced to settle for second place behind Man City.
Prediction: 2-0
Arsenal vs Everton (TBC)
The Gunners finish in style but are once again left lamenting a lack of experience and depth.
Prediction: 3-0
Manchester City vs West Ham (TBC)
Guardiola’s men make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
Prediction: 2-0
Updated Premier League table:
Team Played GD Points
Man City 38 +59 91
Liverpool 38 +53 88
Arsenal 38 +55 85
