Premier League title: Will Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City win?
Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists three teams can still win the Premier League title after the defending champions thrashed Brighton on Thursday.
Guardiola's side are one point behind leaders Arsenal but have a game in hand, while third-placed Liverpool lost at Everton on Wednesday.
"It is not," said Guardiola when asked if the title was now between City and Arsenal.
"What happened to Liverpool, two defeats in three games, it can happen to Arsenal, it can happen to us.
"What is important is that still we are there. There are a lot of games to play."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, however, says Arsenal and Manchester City "must have a very bad moment" if his side are to have any chance.
Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park leaves them three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and two behind City.
Opta now put their chances of winning the title at 2%.
"Arsenal and Manchester City must have a very bad moment," said Klopp after Liverpool's defeat.
"I don't know. I can only apologise for today to the people. We should have done better but we didn't."
Opta, with its 10,000 'supercomputer' simulations, believes City's dressing room is the place to be.
Predicted Premier League final table - Opta | ||
---|---|---|
Team | % chance of winning title | Current position & points |
1. Man City | 71 | 2nd - 76 points |
2. Arsenal | 27 | 1st - 77 points |
3. Liverpool | 2 | 3rd - 74 points |
Current Premier League table
Premier League | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | Played | Points | GD | GS | Form (past 5 games) |
1. Arsenal | 34 | 77 | 56 | 82 | WWLWW |
2. Man City | 33 | 76 | 48 | 80 | DWWWW |
3. Liverpool | 34 | 74 | 41 | 75 | WDLWL |
If teams are level after 38 games, the title will be decided on goal difference and, if still level, goals scored |
What are the remaining fixtures?
Date | Liverpool | Manchester City | Arsenal |
---|---|---|---|
27 April | West Ham (a) | ||
28 April | Nottingham Forest (a) | Tottenham (a) | |
4 May | Wolves (h) | Bournemouth (h) | |
5 May | Tottenham (h) | ||
11 May | Fulham (a) | ||
12 May | Man Utd (a) | ||
13 May | Aston Villa (a) | ||
14 May | Tottenham (a) | ||
19 May | Wolves (h) | West Ham (h) | Everton (h) |
When were the other closest three-way title races?
There have been a handful of three-way Premier League title races where the teams have been similarly close towards the end of a 38-game season.
2013-14: By as late as 6 May 2014, only two points separated Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. City won their game in hand to leapfrog a stumbling Liverpool and went on to snatch the title. Liverpool's disappointment was characterised by Steven Gerrard's famous slip in their 2-0 defeat against Chelsea and then Crystal Palace's comeback from three goals down to draw 3-3.
2001-02: On 23 April 2002, Arsenal led Liverpool by a point with Manchester United a further point back. But Arsenal had a game in hand and were partway through a run of 11 consecutive wins. They sealed the title by beating United at Old Trafford.
1995-96: In mid-March, with eight games left, Manchester United were level on 61 points with Newcastle, and Liverpool were on 59 points in third. Despite having played two games more at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson's side saw off the challenge of Kevin Keegan's Magpies.
What happened at this stage last year?
What if the teams finish level on points?
Should there be a tie, the league is decided on goal difference, then goals scored, then most points in the head-to-head matches, then most away goals in the head-to-head record.
Whatever happens, don't be too surprised if there are more twists and turns between now and the final day of the season on 19 May.
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Spurs, Villa and Brighton will have a big say in who finishes top.
Best wait and see.
Would be great to see Arsenal silence the doubters.
With 30 points still to play for, and any possible number of scenarios that could happen, this is utterly worthless.
45% chance of a win at Brighton. Pardon ?
39% chance at Tottenham. Pardon ?
38% chance at Man U. Pardon ?
Liverpool have shown tenacity but are dependent on so many last-gasp winners and fortunate decisions, that when they DON'T get them like today, they seem bemused.
City are not their usual fluent best but even at 70% they are well capable of winning a title.