Premier League Title Race: Manchester City vs Liverpool
And then there were two. The two that have been responsible for each of the Premier League title tussles that we have seen in recent times and with Manchester City and Liverpool set to duke it out once again, it is shaping up to be another sensational title race.
One where draws are almost as bad as defeats and with winning being the only currency that matters to both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, you can be sure that they will push each other all the way between now and the end of the season.
Which begs the question, just who will come out on top after 38 Premier League matches and with defending champions Manchester City currently at the summit of the standings, this is not a position that they are looking to give up anytime soon.
THE LATEST ODDS
Looking at the latest odds, it is City who are priced as -500 favourites and with their current advantage over Liverpool in the Premier League, the status that has been afforded to them can come as no real surprise.
While when it comes to Liverpool themselves, they are currently priced at +333 in the same Premier League outright market. Which means punters have a simple choice and it is one where they must decide to plump for the status quo or back a late red resurgence.
At the time of writing, it is Pep Guardiola’s men who have a six-point lead over their Anfield counterparts and although such a margin seems almost insurmountable, such a margin does not tell the full story either.
GAMES IN HAND OR POINTS ON THE BOARD
Because with Liverpool having played a game less than their Manchester counterparts, a six-point gap could just as easily become three and should that prove to be the case, then all eyes will be on Sunday April 9th.
A date that will largely define just where the Premier League trophy either goes or stays and with these two footballing foes set to face each other at the Etihad, that is the game that Jurgen Klopp will be eyeing up the most.
If Liverpool can clear the hurdle of Arsenal on March 16th, it will set the stage nicely for the following month and although there could be a twist or turn before the mega meeting in Manchester, it does seem as if all signs point to a winner take all clash in just a few weeks.
THE EQUATION
For Manchester City the equation is rather simple. If Liverpool get within that touching distance of three points, then all the Etihad men must do is not lose. While if the same firing range is found, the Anfield outfit must simply go for the jugular.
Should that be the case and Liverpool defeat their football foes, then it would be all even at the top of the Premier League table. Which means from here on in, it is going to be a sprint towards the finishing line on Sunday May 22nd.
A sprint where goals could end up being just as important as league wins and with Liverpool currently possessing a better goal difference than the team above them, this in itself could be worth an extra point.
Not an actual extra point to add to their tally, but a figurative advantage which would only assist their bid to win a second Premier League title and when it is spelled out like that, it is clear to see that Liverpool’s destiny is in their own hands.
Because if they win all their Premier League outings between now and the end of the season, they will win a second English crown in three years and although that is a rather big ask, they will certainly be up for the test.
Then again, they will have to be up for the test, because if Liverpool are capable of winning every Premier League encounter that they face between now and May, then Manchester City are just as capable of doing the exact same.
THE EUROPEAN CONUNDRUM
Of course, it is not just the Premier League which has these two sides as favourites for success at the end of the season. The same can also be said for the UEFA Champions League and the desire to win this competition, may hamper any hopes for domestic dominance.
Especially as Manchester City are concerned and with the club’s owners desperate to add the last piece to their trophy jigsaw, they will be praying that 2022 is the finally the year in which they land European football’s biggest prize.
A prize that has eluded them up until now and although City did make the final last time around, they were pipped to the post by fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea – a game that saw German international Kai Havertz score the only goal.
Which means the focus will also be on whether Pep Guardiola can spin plates on both a home and continental front. Will the raw desire to win a third personal European crown and first with his current employers, trump his pursuit of the Premier League?
This is something that Liverpool supporters will certainly hope is the case and if the Champions League becomes a prize that is too tempting for Guardiola to turn down, it may just let Liverpool in through the backdoor.
Then again, the same could be said for the Reds themselves and they would love nothing more than to conquer the continent for the eighth time in their illustrious history and if they do lose to their nearest rivals at the Etihad next month, a pivot to Europe may be their best plan of action.
While the beauty of this title race, is that there are so many if, buts and maybes and because of this, it is incredibly hard to predict just who will win the 2021/22 edition of the Premier League. With that said, are you ready to put your money where your mouth is?
Follow @VIPCasino_CA on Twitter to stay up to date with latest tips, news and offers from Canada’s Best Online Casino!
Read more about EPL betting here on VIPCasino.
