On current form Manchester City are looking more relentless than ever. The current Premier League champions, who currently sit top of the league after a close encounter with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, have destiny in their own hands, with Pep Guardiola knowing if his side win all of their remaining games they’ll regain the title.
It makes things interesting for Liverpool, who will surely be ready to pounce if City do squander any points between now and the end of the season. The two sides looked head and shoulders above the rest of the league in their two matches so far this season, both ending in 2-2 draws, and while odds on the Premier League winner looked favourably towards Manchester United and European champions Chelsea, it’s been City and Liverpool that have proved to be the most consistent in a title race that looks like going right down to the wire.
At the time of writing, there are six Premier League games for both teams and for City to win the league, they’ll simply have to be perfect. Read on, as we take a look at the sides, we think have the best chance of getting anything when they take on Guardiola’s swashbuckling Citizens in the last few weeks of this exciting season.
Wolverhampton Wanders
There were many eyebrows raised after Wolverhampton Wanders made a difficult start to life under Bruno Lage, but after a difficult bedding in period initially, the Portuguese manager has turned Wolves into one of the most well-drilled sides in the country, and that defence solidity could well prove to be a thorn in City’s side.
Without a recognised striker, Guardiola has sometimes struggled to break down a low block, as shown in the FA Cup against League One outfit Peterborough United, and the longer the Black Country team stay in the game, the more hope will be instilled in Liverpool fans. With former Red Conor Coady now Wolves skipper, expect the centre back to be doing everything in his power to ensure his side take at least a point, as they’ll want to finish the season as high up the table as possible.
West Ham United
As far as their European exploits go, this is the best season some West Ham United fans have ever experienced. However, they could still also clinch a place in the top four if Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur continue to show their inconsistencies.
To do that though, David Moyes’ side will need to get the better of City, something they’ve demonstrated they can do already this season when they knocked them out of the League Cup on penalties. It certainly won’t be easy, but if the Irons want a taste of Champions League football, they’ll need the best result possible at the London Stadium on the penultimate weekend.
Aston Villa
Back to the Midlands now and we look at the final game of the season — Aston Villa’s trip to the Etihad. Whether its just the romantics in Liverpool’s fanbase or a prophecy has been foretold, but the relationship Villa manager Steven Gerrard has with the Reds will give his side that extra incentive to try and ruin City’s party.
Sometimes sides with nothing to play for will roll over on the final day, but with the former captain and some ex-players at Anfield like Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings amongst the ranks at Villa, they’ll want to do everything they can to try and secure a win that could shift the course of the title race in Jürgen Klopp’s favour.
