Ten games to go in the Premier League, and everything is on the line. The title race, European places, relegation—it all hangs in the balance with very little set in stone. There are still a wrath of bumper fixtures remaining in the Premier League run-in, with the stakes at an all-time high…
Manchester City Vs Arsenal
They say you save the best until last. Yet, following the international break, arguably the game with the most on the line comes in the first week back, with first visiting third.
In times gone by, a three-horse race hasn’t sustained itself, and two teams are jostling for the trophy at best. However, this season we have been treated to a true three-horse encounter, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City separated by just a point.
Victory vital not just for the Citizens or the Gunners for ground over each other, but to keep tabs with Liverpool at the same time. Arsenal are one of only three teams to beat City this PL season, but Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t lost a home game this term, the Gunners aiming to get their first win at the Etihad since 2015.
However, it is probably the strongest Arsenal team to visit Manchester in that period, with Mikel Areta’s team looking mentally tougher than last campaign, their downfall as they threw away the league title. These games often underwhelm, but regardless of the outcome, it is a game that will define which captain lifts that famous trophy on May 19th.
Everton Vs Forest
El DeductÃco.
The clash of the Premier League’s bad boys has the capability to send one of them packing their bags for the Championship. Everton may be sitting four points above Forest, who occupy the final relegation spot, but that lead could soon go with the Toffees awaiting the verdict for their second potential points deduction of the season.
All this means the clash at Goodison Park will have something extra. The injustice. The trepidation. The excitement of such a game will be felt astronomically. Coming at the beginning of three straight home games for Sean Dyche’s men, a win would be massive in their survival bid, the Merseyside team unbeaten in their three meetings with Forest this century.
However, Forest have been better away from home than last season, where they won just once, picking up 10 points on the road this term, only three behind Everton’s home tally of 13. The Reds showed last season that when it matters, they get the job done, with this one looking like it could save one side and put the other in deep, deep trouble.
Spurs Vs Arsenal
North London colliding is always a game for the headlines. In Tottenham’s case, you could have chosen three or four of these fixtures to feature, with Ange Postecoglou’s men facing all three title candidates and the bottom four in their final nine games.
Spurs will have a huge say in who goes down and who wins the league, then, while also chasing Europe themselves. But denying Arsenal their first title in 20 years would be monumental for the fanbase; they will certainly be up for this one.
This is a derby where you can almost always count on there being a winner; the draw at the Emirates this season being the first stalemate between the sides since 2019, and victory in this one would be season defining. The momentum and confidence that would accumulate from a win has the potential to carry either side to their season’s goals, content with the knowledge that they had also, in the process, ruined the others.
Everton Vs Brentford
This game could go one of two ways. Either one or both of them come into the game having beaten their relegation rivals and with not much to play for. Or, they have lost those crucial fixtures and are well and truly in the mud, the game looking like a relegation playoff.
Here’s hoping it’s the latter (for entertainment reasons, of course).
Brentford have been on the slide and have only won two games in 2024, certainly not form that brings confidence. Ivan Toney’s return hasn’t had the desired impact with the Bees thankful for early-season form, or they would be right in it.
Currently, Everton sit just a point behind Brentford but would be five points ahead of them without their deduction, showing the hosts should be confident of a win. But things are never that simple in the Premier League.
Final day
May 19th is where all of this leads to. It has the potential to be one of the most memorable final days in English footballing history, starting at the summit. All three title candidates play at home but aren’t guaranteed victories.
Everton go to Arsenal, and if you’ve read this far, you’ll know that game could be make or break for them. Liverpool host Wolves, who have the potential to be fighting for a European spot, much like City’s opposition in West Ham. An Aguero moment possible at three grounds around the country, the PL may have to create a third replica of the trophy to cover all bases.
Onto the fight for Europe, and while West Ham and Wolves may be jostling for the Conference League, Champions League qualification could still be up in the air. It’s looking like fifth place will be enough this season, Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester United look to be the favourites—two of those three.
All three sides end the season on the road as Villa visit Crystal Palace, Spurs go to Brammall Lane and United travel to the south coast to face Brighton. Villa remain in pole position but none of the sides have had consistent form of late, meaning a last-day showdown looks likely to be on the cards.
Finally at the bottom, starting with two relegation-threatened sides meeting at Turf Moor as Burnley host Forest. The Reds’ points deduction, along with last weekend’s win over Brentford, has reignited the belief within the fanbase at least—this one could get edgy.
Elsewhere, Luton travel to Fulham while Brentford host Newcastle and, as previously mentioned, Everton visit leaders Arsenal.
This all means that there could potentially be nine games with something riding on them as the curtains close—a show not to be missed.