Liverpool, Manchester City remaining schedule in 2022 Premier League title race to be EPL champions
For much of this season it appeared somewhat inevitable that Manchester City would retain the Premier League title.
However, City have dropped points here and there of late — they drew with Southampton in January, they lost to Tottenham in February, and they were held by Crystal Palace in March.
That has opened the door for Liverpool, who have been in superb form, winning their last 10 league games in succession. And just like that, the title race has been busted wide open.
Jurgen Klopp’s side is only one point adrift of Pep Guardiola’s team, which transforms the meeting between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium on April 10 into a title-deciding clash.
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Below are the remaining schedules for both Man City and Liverpool, and an explanation of the scenario should the two sides finish the season even on points at the top of the table. FiveThirtyEight gives Man City a 64 percent chance of retaining its title (down from 75 percent), while Liverpool are projected at 36 percent to win it (up from 25 percent based on recent developments).
| Place | Team | Points | Games | Goals | Goal Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Manchester City | 73 | 30 | 70 | +52 |
| 2. | Liverpool | 72 | 30 | 77 | +57 |
| 3. | Chelsea | 59 | 29 | 58 | +35 |
Manchester City remaining Premier League schedule
- Total matches remaining: 8
- Home matches: 5 — vs. BRI, LIV, WAT, NEW, AVL
- Away matches: 3 — at WOL, LEE, WHU
- Toughest matches remaining: vs. Liverpool, at West Ham
- Easiest matches remaining: vs. Watford
Man City bounced back from the 3-2 home loss to Tottenham on Feb. 19 with three wins in their next four, including in the Manchester derby. But their most recent stumble was a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on March 14. Those two dropped points have given Liverpool the chance to head to the Etihad on April 10 with the opportunity to overtake Man City at the top of the Premier League.
If they can survive the Liverpool match, the rest of Man City’s schedule — with four home games and only three away remaining — seems favorable in comparison to Liverpool’s. The final three matches, however, come against complicated sides that have given real tests to opponents this season: Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa.
| Match | Date | Home/Away | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Sun, Apr. 10 | H | Liverpool | 11:30 a.m. |
| 32 | TBD | A | Wolves | TBD |
| 33 | Wed, Apr. 20 | H | Brighton | 3 p.m. |
| 34 | Sat, Apr. 23 | H | Watford | 10 a.m. |
| 35 | Sat, Apr. 30 | A | Leeds | 12:30 p.m. |
| 36 | Sat, May 8 | H | Newcastle | 11:30 a.m. |
| 37 | Sun, May 15 | A | West Ham | 11:30 a.m. |
| 38 | Sun, May 22 | H | Aston Villa | 11 a.m. |
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Liverpool remaining Premier League schedule
- Total matches remaining: 8
- Home matches: 4 — vs. MUN, EVE, TOT, WOL
- Away matches: 4 — at MCI, AVL, NEW, SOU
- Toughest matches remaining: vs. Man United, at Man City, vs. Tottenham
- Easiest matches remaining: None
Based on the Premier League table to date, Liverpool clearly have a tougher run-in than City. Liverpool have to play Manchester United, Man City and Tottenham. Those three teams occupy the top seven places of the standings.
It certainly won’t be easy for Klopp’s team, but if it can come away with a win at Man City on April 10, then it will be looking at four of its final seven matches at home.
| Match | Date | Home/Away | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Sun, Apr. 10 | A | Man City | 11:30 a.m. |
| 32 | Tues, Apr. 19 | H | Man United | 3 p.m. |
| 33 | Sun, Apr. 24 | H | Everton | 11:30 a.m. |
| 34 | Sat, Apr. 30 | A | Newcastle | 7:30 a.m. |
| 35 | Sat, May 7 | H | Tottenham | 2:45 p.m. |
| 36 | Tues, May 10 | A | Aston Villa | 3 p.m. |
| 37 | Sun, May 15 | A | Southampton | 11:30 a.m. |
| 38 | Sun, May 22 | H | Wolves | 11 a.m. |
Who wins title if Man City, Liverpool finish level on points?
In the event that City and Liverpool finish level on points, the winner will be decided on goal difference.
City currently have a goal difference of +52, while Liverpool’s is at +57. If the teams are level on goal difference, the number of goals scored will come into play. City have found the net 70 times so far, with Liverpool having scored 77 goals.
As outlined on the Premier League’s official website, if the teams are even on both those tiebreakers, then they will be awarded the same position in the table and a share of the title.
“If any clubs finish with the same number of points, their position in the Premier League table is determined by goal difference, then the number of goals scored. If the teams still cannot be separated, they will be awarded the same position in the table.”