Compared to previous campaigns in recent years, the Premier League season is boiling towards what looks like a dramatic climax.
While fans at the bottom of the table are hoping their beloved clubs will retain their topflight status come the end of the season, supporters of Manchester City and Liverpool are preparing for an almighty push to secure the Premier League crown.
At the turn of the year, Pep Guardiola’s side were a seemingly comfortable 11 points clear at the top of the division, with question marks being raised over their rivals at the top and whether or not they can realistically challenge given City’s evident riches and squad of immensely talented players. Thankfully, for the good of the division, Liverpool capitalised on City’s stuttering performances against the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton with an impressive run of their own.
Now, as the Premier League season enters its closing stages, just where the Premier League trophy will be heading is hard to predict. One of the tightest title races in recent times could essentially be decided when the top two do battle at the Etihad Stadium on April 10, although with both sides facing tricky fixtures before and after the clash, it’s impossible to know just how decisive any full-time result will be. One thing that is evident, though, is that Liverpool are the team to beat right now.
Momentum with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds
In the same way fans of Football League clubs champion, the idea of momentum heading
into a play-off push, the same theory can also apply to a Premier League title tilt. When assessing Liverpool’s recent form, Jurgen Klopp’s troops clearly have momentum on their side. Liverpool have won their last nine games in some style, looking full of confidence and energy in the process. Of course, City have also been showcasing their immense ability over the course of the season, but as rather lackluster displays against Crystal Palace and Southampton showed, Pep Guardiola’s side aren’t firing on all cylinders like their title rivals are.
Liverpool can’t stop scoring goals
During the aforementioned run of nine Premier League wins in a row, Liverpool have scored an impressive 23 goals and conceded just two. The central-defensive partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Joël Matip has particularly stood out in recent times, but the attacking threat Klopp’s side possess is also frightening. Alongside the world-class performances of Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s top scorer with 20 goals, other forwards have been chipping in also. Diogo Jota has 13 Premier League goals to his name this season, Mane has 12, and the recently acquired Luis Diaz has hit the ground running since his move from Porto. Throw in Roberto Firmino and there is a strong argument to suggest that Liverpool’s attack is stronger than a Manchester City frontline that is short on options overall.
The remaining fixtures
Ultimately, Liverpool and Manchester City’s opponents could play a key role in determining the winner of the Premier League this season. The meeting between the two on April 10 will be important, but there are some tough fixtures to contend with alongside that unmissable match-up, especially when looking at Liverpool’s schedule. Following the game against the Citizens, Liverpool have home matches against the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham to navigate, while also having to take on a resurgent Newcastle United away from home. City, on the other hand, have a more favourable run-in, although the final two matches against West Ham in London and Aston Villa at the Etihad could prove to be decisive.
Although picking a Premier League winner is tough, one thing that is certain is that the Premier League is gearing up for an unmissable finish.
