After months of swapping positions at the top of the Premier League table it will finally be decided this weekend if Manchester City or Liverpool are crowned as the 2018-19 champions.
This season’s title race has been one of the closest – and best – in memory and it comes down to the final matches on Sunday 12 May.
With one fixture remaining Pep Guardiola’s City, the defending champions, are currently top of the table with 95 points. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are just a point behind on 94.
With a goal difference of +69, compared to Liverpool’s +65, it’s all in City’s hands.
City travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday on the back of a 13-match winning run in the league and if they make it 14 they will secure back-to-back titles for the first time in their history.
However, a draw or defeat for City at the Amex Stadium would give Liverpool the opportunity to take top spot on the final day if they beat Wolves at Anfield.
The Merseysiders have won nine of their last ten league matches and will be on a high after their Champions League exploits in midweek.
Pep: we will attack
City boss Guardiola has vowed that his side will attack at the Amex on Sunday. He said: “We have one more game left. It will be tough at Brighton. We played them in the FA Cup semi-final a few weeks ago and know how tough it will be.
“They are strong with set-pieces. I know they are going to play for pride but it is in our hands.
“We are going to go to Brighton and make an extra effort to win: attack them and attack them and attack them to be champions.”
Trophies at both stadiums
The Manchester Evening News reports that the Premier League will have a trophy, medals and presentation team at both grounds this weekend.
Simon Bajkowski writes: “The trophies will be identical in design and look, with an engraved base detailing past champions but the ‘champions’ trophy that has been at the Etihad this year will be at Brighton while the one used by the league will be at Liverpool.”
Times and TV details
The Brighton vs. Man City and Liverpool vs. Wolves fixtures kick off at 3pm (UK time) and both matches are live on Sky Sports.
Here we look at full fixture list for the final day and the pundit predictions on who will win the Premier League title race.
Premier League final day fixtures: Sunday 12 May (3pm)
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City (live on Sky Sports)
- Burnley vs. Arsenal
- Crystal Palace vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Fulham vs. Newcastle United
- Leicester City vs. Chelsea
- Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (live on Sky Sports)
- Manchester United vs. Cardiff City
- Southampton vs. Huddersfield Town
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
- Watford vs. West Ham United
Predictions: who will win the title?
Paul Merson, Sky Sports: Man City
“I just can’t see Man City not winning. Nothing shocks me in football after the Champions League this week. But when you look at this week, the two teams who came back are very good teams, with very good players. If Man City go ahead early, Liverpool have got to just get this game out of their memory, get it out of the way. They might need to get in front early doors, but if Man City go 2-0 up, they’ve got to start thinking about the game [against Tottenham] in three weeks in my opinion. Wolves will be dangerous, but there’s no place like Liverpool. It’ll be a hard game for them, though. Score predictions: Brighton 0 Manchester City 3; Liverpool 2 Wolves 1.”
Alan Shearer, BBC Match of the Day: Man City
“It has been a title race like no other I can remember, because of the relentless way both teams have kept on getting results. I am expecting both teams to continue their winning runs in their final league games of the season on Sunday, which would mean Liverpool missing out on the title having only lost once in that competition all season. If that does happen, it will have taken the best team of the Premier League era to beat them, and the Reds have pushed City all the way.”
Ian Wright, Premier League TV: Liverpool
“They [Liverpool] are showing character. They’re chasing down a great Manchester City side and they don’t know when they’re beaten. What’s good about is they believe themselves. The fact is Liverpool have not stopped, they’ve made this an unbelievable race. I chose Liverpool at the start of the season, it’s no secret. You couldn’t ask for anymore, run for your money. And I still think something might happen.”
Danny Higginbotham, Sky Sports: Man City
“There always has to be a doubt but it would be incredible, it would be absolutely incredible and it would be a massive turn up if Brighton were to get a point off Manchester City.”
Goal.com: Man City
“Having stormed the league in record-breaking fashion last season, the Citizens have been forced to demonstrate a different kind of mettle under constant pressure from a relentless Liverpool team. Indeed, they have maintained their winning streak despite scoring less than two goals a game over the last ten fixtures, with three of the most recent four victories secured via narrow 1-0 scorelines. This solid defence should be more than enough to keep out Chris Hughton’s goal-shy [Brighton] outfit, which has only scored twice in nine matches – while conceding in ten of their last 11.”
Sports Chat Place: Man City
“Brighton have not had a good season and with everything settled, it is hard to see the home side having enough to challenge the Sky Blues. Manchester City have been outstanding and the team will be high on confidence having won their last 13 fixtures. Manchester City are the stronger side and I see them winning this match and retaining their Premier League title.”
