Arsenal can reclaim the Premier League summit this weekend as leaders Manchester City focus on the FA Cup, while Tottenham and West Ham battle to avoid the final relegation spot.
Arsenal have watched their imposing nine-point lead vanish quickly, with City currently top on goals scored.
City and Arsenal are locked together on 70 points, with five games left. Both teams have a plus-37 goal difference.
Two things separate the teams – the number of goals scored and experience of getting over the line.
City, who have netted three more times than Arsenal, have never failed to go on and win the title having led after 33 games or more in the Premier League.
The Gunners, who lost 2-1 at the Etihad last weekend, can return to the top with a win or a draw at home to Newcastle, with City taking on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The following week, Mikel Arteta’s men play first, meaning they could be six points clear before City face Everton on May 4.
Perennial runners-up Arsenal, who have the easier run-in on paper, must shrug off their recent collapse and put the pressure back on City.
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City, currently topping the table for the first time since August, are favourites but it is not over yet.
Meanwhile, Tottenham desperately need a win at relegated Wolves on Saturday to restore hope that they can avoid dropping down to the second tier for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Spurs, now under the leadership of Roberto De Zerbi, are still winless in the Premier League since December after conceding a late goal in last weekend’s draw with Brighton.
Tottenham, 18th in the table, are two points from safety with five games left.
West Ham, in 17th spot, host Everton on Saturday while Nottingham Forest, three points above the Hammers, travel to face Sunderland on Friday.
Below are the Premier fixtures scheduled for the weekend:
Friday
Sunderland v Nottingham Forest
Saturday
Fulham v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Everton
Wolves v Tottenham
Arsenal v Newcastle
Monday
Manchester United v Brentford
