Another 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City has opened up the possibility of an unprecedented play-off match for the Premier League title if Arsenal aren’t in the picture by the end.
It looks to be going right down to the wire at the top of the table this season. With only 10 games to go, Arsenal lead the three-horse race on goal difference.
That’s after they secured a late 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday (March 9), and their rivals drew 1-1 at Anfield yesterday – the same result as the reverse fixture at the Etihad.
It handed the Gunners control of their destiny, and also opened up the slim possibility of an unprecedented play-off tie between the Reds and City. For that to materialise, they’d have to finish on identical records above Mikel Arteta’s men.
Goal difference is the first deciding factor if two teams have the same points. If that’s the same, goals scored then comes into consideration.
In 2020, the Premier League introduced a new law to make the head-to-head record of the two teams the next decider.
But that wouldn’t separate them, leaving the only option of one last match. The handbook reads: “If two clubs cannot be separated by operation of Rule C.17.1 and C.17.2, a play-off on a neutral ground, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board.”
There’s obviously a long way to go yet with 30 points up for grabs for each team, but it’s not out of the question. It could yet also transpire between City and Arsenal, who were 1-0 victors when they met at the Emirates in October.
They next play each other in the league on March 31 after the international break. A 1-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s side would give the potential that they’d have to play again at the end of the season.
Liverpool and Arsenal are separated by their H2H record, however, with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds losing 3-1 on their travels to north London last month after a 1-1 draw on Merseyside in December.
