How will the English Premier League title race and the battle for the Champions League finish? 

The English Premier League has been the most exciting and unpredictable league in the world for years, but this season has taken it up a notch, with the big questions in the competition still left unanswered. 

At the bottom, there are a number of teams still within the grasp of the relegation zone, with big names like Leicester, Everton and West Ham all struggling this season. 

For the Europa League places, the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa, Brighton and Liverpool are all in the hunt, although Spurs currently hold the spot at the time of writing. 

At the top, things are very unclear right now. The top-two are separated by a razor thin margin, while third and fourth are hardly certain either. Below, we will take a look at the battle for the top-four as this incredibly unpredictable Premier League season hurtles towards its conclusion. 

Arsenal or Manchester City – Which side will lift the Premier League trophy?

The only near-certainty at this point when it comes to the title is that it will be won by one of Arsenal or Manchester City. With Manchester United 15 points short of the Gunners at the top, they can technically still top the league, although it is hardly likely. 

Arsenal currently boast a four-point lead at the top having played a game more than City. Their run-in sees them play Southampton, City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves. 

For Pep Guardiola’s City, they just keep winning games and can move to within a point of the Gunners if they win their game in hand. In the league, City have Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium next, with matches against Fulham, West Ham, Leeds, Everton, Chelsea and Brentford to come. 

With games against City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Brighton to come, the Gunners have the harder sprint to the line, but they hold a big advantage. City have a semi-final in the FA Cup against Sheffield United to come, while they are still in the Champions League and look to be edging towards the semi-finals of the competition too. Meanwhile, Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon, while they are not in the FA Cup either. 

If City stay in both cup competitions, then it will stretch their squad to breaking point as they look to challenge on three fronts. Considering Guardiola has not won the Champions League with City, would he concede in the league if it meant City had a better chance of triumphing in Europe?

Perhaps the clash between the pair at the Etihad at the end of April will decide the league then. A win for City will see them ahead if they win their games in hand, while a draw or a win for the Gunners would see them maintaining their lead. 

Arsenal have made a habit of avoiding defeat on the road against the better teams, beating Chelsea and Tottenham, while they have managed to draw 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield. Their only away loss to a big-six opponent came against Manchester United back in September. 

City are the ones leading bookmakers expect to win the title, but if Arsenal can get a draw at the Etihad, it could be the point at which Mikel Arteta’s side finally win the league again.  

Who will take third-place?

Manchester United hold the aces right now in the battle for third-place in the league. United have 59 points from 30 games, meaning they are three clear of Newcastle in fourth, and six clear of Tottenham in fifth, with the London side having played 31 games. 

The major issue for United is that they are still in the Europa League and have a semi-final in the FA Cup against Brighton to come. If they win their upcoming games, then their fixture schedule will be extended further. 

United have a match with Tottenham to come, which could decide the battle for the top-four. A win here would see United edge further clear of a misfiring Spurs side, and if this comes along with Newcastle winning too, then it will probably be all over for Spurs. Newcastle also play Tottenham in April, with a victory for the Magpies one that could all but end Tottenham’s battle for fourth. 

With this in mind, it looks as though Manchester United will finish in third, Newcastle will clinch a Champions League spot by finish in in fourth, and Tottenham will finish no higher than fifth. 

2022/23 Premier League Standings as of 18th Apirl 2023

1st – Arsenal 

2nd – Manchester City 

3rd – Manchester United 

4th – Newcastle United

5th – Tottenham Hotspur