Premier League title race: How Man City & Liverpool could have play-off | OneFootball

It’s been another incredible Premier League title race between Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

The two clubs are separated by just one point with four matches remaining. It’s set to go down to the wire.

City have the advantage as they lead by one point and they know four more wins will see them retain their title.

Given the way City and Liverpool have dispatched those in their way in recent weeks, they’re both expected to pick up maximum points between now and the end of the season.

That would lack a bit of drama, wouldn’t it?

But there’s the possibility that the title race may not end on May 22 – the final day of the Premier League season.

Why? Well, there’s the chance of a playoff match being required to separate the two clubs as reported by The Athletic.

That’s right, a 39th game between Man City and Liverpool to decide the title.

How will that happen? Well, as mentioned, City lead Liverpool by one point. Jurgen Klopp’s side have the advantage of being one goal better off in terms of goal difference – The Reds have scored two more and conceded one more.

So, for the two sides to finish on the same number of points, City would have to lose a game and Liverpool would have to draw one. Certainly not impossible. But what results are needed between now and the end of the season for them to finish on the exact numbers of points and the same goal difference?

With the two matches between Man City and Liverpool finishing 2-2, there’s no separating them when it comes to head-to-head results either.

Well, we’ve experimented and come up with the most realistic series of results that would create that scenario. The results don’t have to be exactly the same – as long as the goal difference remains the same.

The results needed for a title play-off

The results would be:

Saturday May 7: Liverpool 1-0 SpursSunday May 8: Man City 3-1 Newcastle

Tuesday May 10: Aston Villa 0-1 LiverpoolWednesday May 11: Wolves 0-2 Man City

Sunday May 15: West Ham 1-0 Man CityTuesday May 17: Southampton 1-2 LiverpoolSunday May 22: Liverpool 1-1 WolvesSunday May 22: Man City 2-1 Aston Villa

How the final table would look

1st. Liverpool | Pl: 38 | For: 91 | A: 24 | GD: 67 | Pts. 921st. Manchester City | Pl: 38 | For: 91 | A: 24 | GD: 67 | Pts. 92

Admit it. That’s not too unrealistic, is it?

Of course, this has never happened before for any position – let alone for the title.

The Premier League handbook states: “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”.

Where – or when – that play-off would take place is unknown.

But given that SkyBet have rated it as an 80/1 shot, the Premier League better start making preparations just in case.