The 2021-22 season of the Premier League is set for a thrilling finish as Manchester City and Liverpool battle it out for the title over the next few weeks.
With seven games to go for each side, just one point separates the Citizens at the top from the Reds. Manchester City’s loss in the FA Cup semi-final might play out to their advantage in the league – giving Pep Guardiola the chance to focus all his efforts on defending their trophy.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have a tough schedule ahead, but Jurgen Klopp has shown incredible skill in rotating his side and keeping them fit for all the games.
With neither team showing the signs of a slip-up, the Premier League truly remains a toss-up with a slight advantage towards the defending champions.
Here we take a look at Manchester City and Liverpool’s upcoming schedule, chances of winning the trophy, and other key updates.
AN EASY ROAD FOR MANCHESTER CITY
With 74 points from 31 fixtures, the Citizens have occupied the top of the table for most of the season. Compared to Liverpool’s far tougher opponents, Pep Guardiola’s men have an easier run-in over the next few weeks.
Of the seven teams that they will face in the league, just three sides are in the top half of the table – Wolves, Brighton, and West Ham United. The remaining four fixtures – against Newcastle, Aston Villa, Watford and Leeds United – are expected to be a cakewalk for the defending champions.
Among the seven teams that stand in Manchester City’s way, only Wolves and West Ham United pose a genuine threat to the Sky Blues. City have only won once in their visit to Molineux Stadium in the past three years and the Wolves possess a much better record against the Hammers, winning four of their last five encounters.
David Moyes’ side, meanwhile, looks out of form – winning just two out of their last five games – tilting the odds in favour of the Citizens.
Manchester City should win all their games outright if they want to defend their title, as even a single draw might allow Liverpool to bridge the one-point gap.
Kevin De Bruyne’s absence in the semi-final was keenly felt and Guardiola will be hoping his captain will be fit for the season’s climax. Two games back-to-back at home before they travel to Elland Road will also help the players reduce their fatigue.
CITY’S REMAINING GAMES
Brighton (Home) – 20th April
Watford (Home) – 23rd April
Leeds United (Away) – 30th April
Newcastle United (Home) – 8th May
West Ham United (Away) – 15th May
Aston Villa (Home) – 22nd May
Wolverhampton Wanderers (Away) – TBD
LIVERPOOL’S PROBLEM OF PLENTY
Liverpool will have to navigate three competitions over the next five weeks if they want to claim the quadruple they aim for. In contrast to Manchester City’s lack of headline fixtures, the schedule for Liverpool is stacked – a game against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United and Harry Kane’s Tottenham Hotspur on either side of an explosive Merseyside derby.
The Reds also have to navigate past Villarreal and Chelsea in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively and they also face the prospect of facing Manchester City once more in the UEFA Champions League finals.
Jurgen Klopp would have taken note of Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hat-trick last weekend in their win over Norwich City – with Ralf Rangnick’s side now posing a genuine threat to stalling Liverpool’s chase.
Even if the Reds managed to ward off the threat from the Red Devils, they have to face the wrath of arch-rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend. The Toffees are fighting for survival in the league, but fans of the club would like nothing more than their side derailing Liverpool’s title bid. The Merseyside derby is famous for its physicality and Jurgen Klopp would be hoping his squad emerges unscathed after the fixture.
Liverpool have to deal with Tottenham Hotspur immediately after their Champions League fixtures, with Antonio Conte’s men fighting a battle of their own for a Champions League spot.
The FA Cup final against Chelsea is bound to drain the energy of the players if the fixture is anything like the Carabao cup final between both sides.
LIVERPOOL’S SCHEDULE
Manchester United (Home) – 19th April
Everton (Home) – 24th April
Newcastle United (Away) – 30th April
Tottenham Hotspurs (Home) – 7th May
Aston Villa (Away) – 10th May
Wolverhampton Wanderers (Home) – 22nd May
Southampton (Away) – TBD
ADVANTAGE: MANCHESTER CITY
With a relatively straightforward schedule and weaker opponents, Manchester City have the upper hand in the title race, although Liverpool haven’t dropped points in 10 straight games until their thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.
The Reds scored more goals (79) compared to City’s 72. But the Citizens have better discipline in the midfield and at the back – conceding just 20 goals compared to Liverpool’s 72.
Liverpool have a shot at glory with a historic quadruple, while Manchester City can now focus all their efforts on the Premier League and the Champions League. The Premier League is set for a riveting climax.
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