Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal on Wednesday moved Jurgen Klopp’s team to within one point of Manchester City in the Premier League title race with nine games remaining this season.
Such a close battle scarcely seemed on the cards back in January when Liverpool trailed City by eight points but now they are heading for next month’s meeting at the Etihad with the trophy firmly in their sights.
Jason Burt casts his eyes over the remaining fixtures to see how he sees this season’s title race playing out.
Dates subject to change
Manchester City:
April 2: Burnley (away)
WIN – Burnley have lost their last nine meetings with City by an aggregate of 32-2. Says it all
April 10: Liverpool (home)
WIN – The game that will probably decide who wins the title, as in 2018-19, and will be just as close. City to edge it
April 16: Wolverhampton Wanderers (away)
DRAW – After a midweek Champions League tie this could provide an unexpected twist – a bit like Crystal Palace away
April 20: Brighton (home)
WIN – Which Brighton will turn up? They are in freefall but will surely arrest their slide by then. Still, City should prevail
April 23: Watford (home)
WIN – Expect Roy Hodgson to continue to improve Watford but City will swat them aside
April 30: Leeds United (away)
WIN – Leeds may well be safe or fighting for their lives. Either way it will not be easy with a hostile crowd
May 7: Newcastle United (home)
WIN – Newcastle have worked hard to pull themselves clear of relegation and may not maintain the same intensity
May 15: West Ham (away)
WIN – City have won 10 of their 11 league games against West Ham under Pep Guardiola. Expect it to be 11 out of 12
May 22: Aston Villa (home)
WIN – Can Steven Gerrard stop City and help Liverpool win the title? What a story that would be. But City may have even more to play for
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 95
Liverpool:
April 2: Watford (home)
WIN – Which Watford will turn up? They famously beat Liverpool 3-0 but that was at Vicarage Road and expect them to be overpowered
April 10: Manchester City (away)
LOSS – It will be so close, so tight but home advantage could count for City who were unfortunate not to win at Anfield
April 16: Aston Villa (away)
DRAW – Even though Steven Gerrard will want Liverpool to win the title he will also want to get a victory against them. A potential banana skin
April 19: Liverpool v Man Utd (home)
WIN – If Liverpool play anywhere near their potential they are simply too strong for United having destroyed them 5-0 at Old Trafford
April 24: Everton (home)
WIN – Could this be a game that sends Everton into the Championship? Liverpool would revel in that
April 30: Newcastle United (away)
WIN – St James’ Park is jumping and the fans will be right behind the team. Could be uncomfortable
May 7: Tottenham Hotspur (home)
WIN – Tottenham are the Jekyll and Hyde of the Premier League which makes this game almost impossible to predict. Home advantage should count
May 15: Southampton (away)
WIN – Southampton are capable of causing any team problems but are also unpredictable. They will be safe and Liverpool will win
May 22: Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)
WIN – Priorities may have changed by now but Liverpool will want to end their league campaign strongly
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 91 POINTS
