The Premier League Title Is Manchester City’s to Lose
By Dan Larsen
Though they’ll be favored in all three of their remaining games, Liverpool’s fixture list could pose problems for them.
Liverpool enter the final three match days with these remaining games: Huddersfield Town (home), Newcastle (away), Wolves (home).
Unlike the season to this point, Liverpool suddenly find themselves in the position of having greater fixture congestion.
City only have their remaining league games, then the FA Cup final to play.
Liverpool, by contrast, have Huddersfield at home on Friday, travel to the Nou Camp to play Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final first leg next Wednesday, then play at Newcastle three days later, Barcelona at home three days after that, then end their season on a Sunday at home to Wolves.
The fixture congestion could cause issues with fatigue and focus, especially given what will be required of them if they want to advance to the UCL Final for a second consecutive year.
They should have no issues dispensing with Huddersfield on Friday, a team who’s been one of the five worst sides in EPL history. Even if they have an eye to their mid-week game, dropping points would be one of the most shocking events to transpire in recent sports history, well exceeding the infamous Steven Gerrard “slip” against Chelsea in 2014.
Their remaining two fixtures after that, though, pose a different challenge.
Newcastle have been just two points worse than Burnley since the start of 2019, and are ninth overall on points during that time. They’ve been a much improved side since the start of the year, especially at home.
Wolves are likely to be fighting for a UEFA Europa League spot on the final day and have gotten several good results against the top six sides this season. Wolves will surely want to send a message of intent by trying to compete with Liverpool on the final day.
Liverpool will certainly be favored in all three of their remaining fixtures. However, the latter two games are not a given, especially coming on the heels of what are sure to be two intense UCL ties.
Next, let’s take a look at Manchester City’s remaining three fixtures.