LIVERPOOL and Manchester City could face a title play-off – but whatever happens Arsenal will NOT play an extra game.
An extra game is the most dramatic scenario possible if a tense fight for the Premier League crown ends up with two teams totally level at the top.
PAMo Salah is mobbed after his winner at home to Brighton left Liverpool two points clear at the top of the Premier League[/caption]
ReutersMikel Arteta saw Arsenal hold Man City 0-0 to stay second[/caption]
Liverpool’s 2-1 comeback win over Brighton and City’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal confirmed how close the battle is.
Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds are two points clear of the Gunners, with Pep Guardiola‘s men a point further adrift.
Two of the three title contenders being tied at the after the final day of the Prem season on May 19 seems incredibly unlikely.
But if we do get such a staggering conclusion, a list of head-to-head criteria come into play to decide who would lift the crown.
And if we did reach that stage it would be good news for one of the three clubs – Arsenal.
That’s because the Gunners have come out on top overall in their clashes with both Liverpool and City.
In contrast, Arsenal’s two rivals are dead level with each other – having drawn their two Prem games 1-1.
Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners a late 1-0 win over City back in October – before Mikel Arteta’s men clung on for a stalemate on Sunday.
And against Liverpool, Arsenal drew 1-1 at Anfield and then won 3-1 at Emirates in February.
It mean we could yet see the most incredible one-off game in Prem history if Liverpool and City share top spot come May.
Stranger things than that have obviously happened – but surely NEVER in Prem history…
Here’s what needs to happen:
If Liverpool and City are level on points, goal difference is the next deciding factor.
If GD was equal, whoever has scored most will decide it.
If the two clubs are still locked level, the team with the most points in head-to-head Prem matches this season would finish higher.
If still equal, the club scoring the higher number of away goals in those two games would finish higher.
If, after all that, it remains level, we get that dramatic play-off at a neutral ground.
Prem chiefs would need to decide the details, including date and venue.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
