Premier League title race: Fixtures, state of play and when the trophy will be presented

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsEverton vs. Man City ReactionsFootball's Biggest Talking PointsPL Title Race: Who Has the Edge?Liverpool's Doom LoopPremier League title race: Fixtures, state of play and when the trophy will be presentedWho will be lifting this at the end of the season? Carl Recine/Getty Images Share articleThe Premier League title race is inching closer to a conclusion, with Arsenal in pole position. After Manchester City’s draw at Everton, Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table is five points over Pep Guardiola’s side, who now have only one game in hand over their London rivals. Here, we assess each club’s remaining fixtures and when the title could be decided. If both clubs win their remaining games, Arsenal will win the title by two points on the final day of the season. The earliest Arsenal can win the title is at home to Burnley on May 18. City’s maximum points total is now 83. If they were to lose either against Brentford (H) on Saturday or against Crystal Palace (H) on Wednesday, May 13, their maximum would be reduced to 80 points. In this scenario, Arsenal could win the title with a game to spare on 82 points by beating Burnley (H) if they win against West Ham United (A) on Sunday. City’s run-in looked trickier than Arsenal’s and Brentford (H) and Bournemouth (A), who are both chasing European places, could be further banana skins. Arsenal’s toughest game of their last three is West Ham (A), who are fighting to stay in the Premier League. If Arsenal win that game on Sunday, their path to the title looks more assured against already-relegated Burnley (H) and Crystal Palace (A). They will want to take advantage of City’s dropped points. Given the fixtures on paper, a realistic outcome could be Arsenal winning the title if City drop points against Bournemouth on May 19, the day after they play Burnley. For this to happen, Arsenal would have to win their next two games, reaching 82 points, and City drops at least two points from their next three games, capping them at 81 points. It might be less likely after Arsenal’s draw at Everton, but it could still be a decisive factor. If Arsenal draw one of their remaining three matches and City win all four of theirs, the teams would be tied on points. In that situation, goal difference would determine the champions. At the moment, Arsenal have a four-goal advantage. Neutrals (and City fans) can only dream of a title decider as dramatic as Sergio Aguero’s late winner against Queens Park Rangers to deny Manchester United the title in 2011-12. The Premier League (1992-93 onwards) has been decided 10 times on the final day, and the team in control has always gone on to win the title. This included Manchester City over Arsenal in 2023-24 when City confirmed their title after a 3-1 win over West Ham United in their final game, finishing on 91 points. Last season, Liverpool wrapped up the title on April 27 with four games remaining after beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1. It was the Liverpool side of 2019-20, under Jurgen Klopp, who hold the Premier League record for earliest title ever: they won it with seven matches remaining, in a season disrupted for months by the Covid-19 pandemic. Title winners are presented with the Premier League trophy after their last home game of the season, unless the title is decided on the final day, in which case they will be presented with it following that game, whether home or away. If one or more teams are in the hunt on the final day, identical Premier League trophies will be waiting at the stadiums where the contenders are playing. This year, that would be at City (where Aston Villa are the guests) and Crystal Palace (where Arsenal are visiting). The holders, Liverpool this year, keep hold of one of these trophies over the season, but must return it at least three weeks before the final match. The other is kept for use by the Premier League. Identical podiums and pyrotechnics are on standby at each ground, as well as 40 winners’ medals, with the trophy engraving done after the presentation. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms