As the Premier League title race nears its end, attention shifts to the important remaining matches that will decide the outcome of the 2023–24 season.
As the 20 teams prepare for the final sprint, analysis reveals interesting insights into which teams have the advantage and which ones face a tough battle for glory.
The battle among the top four contenders is intense, showing the competitive nature of the league.
With only eight points separating the table leader, Liverpool with 67 points, from Aston Villa with 56 points, every match becomes crucial in determining the season's outcome.
This season, which has been full of surprises, the presence of postponed fixtures has become a crucial factor in the English Premier League standings.
Outstanding games in the Premier League title race
While most teams have one extra match to play, Chelsea stands out with the rare advantage of having two.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Newcastle, Brighton, Wolves, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Sheffield are among the clubs yet to fully take advantage of this opportunity, waiting for their additional matches to potentially shift the balance of power.
Currently, Aston Villa, West Ham, Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Luton Town, and Burnley have completed 30 games, giving them a clearer picture of their standing as they approach the final stretch of the season.
As the season reaches its crucial stage, the importance of these remaining matches cannot be overstated, as every point could change the course of teams’ aspirations and decide their fate in the title race.
Past 10 Premier League champions
In the last ten seasons, Manchester City has won the Premier League title six times, Chelsea twice, and Liverpool and Leicester City have each won it once.
On Sunday, Liverpool defeated Brighton to take the top position in the EPL table. beat Manchester City failed to defeat Arsenal in a highly-anticipated clash at the top of the Premier League, resulting in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Sunday.
Liverpool gains a significant advantage with the most favorable remaining fixtures among title contenders. failed Despite facing relatively tough schedules, all three contenders prepare for an intense conclusion, indicating potential twists and turns that could shape the final outcome of the season.
The run-in officially begins now, with the remaining matches determining the winner of the 2023/24 Premier League title, European qualifiers, and relegation survivors.
So, with only nine matchweeks left, which teams have the “best” and “worst” fixtures?
PUNCH Online explores the average points total of the remaining opponents for each team, providing insights into which clubs are set for a late-season push towards glory and which ones face a tough challenge to end the season successfully.
Data from the Premier League website shows that the average points of the remaining opponents for Premier League teams vary greatly, offering insights into the challenges they may face in the run-in.
At the lower end of the range, Newcastle has the best average of 33.5 points, followed closely by Everton at 34.2 and Brentford and Nottingham Forest with 35.4 points each.
As the range goes up, Burnley is at 35.8, Fulham at 35.9, and Sheffield United at 37.0.
Manchester United also has this average, showing a moderate challenge ahead.
Moving up, Chelsea is at 38.0, followed by Spurs at 38.8 and Liverpool at 38.9, indicating a tougher road for these title contenders.
Further up, Bournemouth faces an average of 39.1 points, while Manchester City has 41.0 and Wolves have 41.5.
Arsenal, in pursuit of title aspirations, contends with an average of 42.3 points among its opponents.
West Ham and Luton have an average of 43.2 points, while Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Brighton face the toughest challenges with averages of 44.8, 44.9, and 45.1 points, respectively.
Title race fixtures club average
By implication, Newcastle United has the easiest remaining schedule with an average of 33.5 points among their upcoming opponents, similar to facing a 14th-placed team in each match.
Conversely, Brighton & Hove Albion faces the toughest fixtures, with their opponents averaging 45.1 points, resembling matches against seventh-placed sides.
In the title race and before Sunday’s game, Liverpool has the most favourable fixtures among the top three contenders, with their opponents averaging 38.9 points.
On the other hand, Arsenal face the toughest challenge, with their opponents averaging 42.3 points, slightly more daunting than those of third-placed Manchester City (41.0).
Title race: Remaining fixtures
Man City (A) (DRAW)
Brighton (H) (WIN)
| Arsenal (H) (DRAW) | Sheff Utd (H) | Aston Villa (H) |
| Luton (H) | Brighton (A) | Crystal Palace (A) |
| Aston Villa (H) | Man Utd (A) | Crystal Palace (H) |
| Wolves (A), Chelsea (H) | Fulham (A), Everton (A) | Luton (H) |
| Brighton (A) | West Ham (A) | Nott’m Forest (A) |
| Spurs (A) | Bournemouth (H) | Aston Villa (A) |
| West Ham (H) | Spurs (H) | Wolves (H) |
| Man Utd (A) | But interestingly, all three title contenders have tricky schedules. | Fulham (A) |
| Everton (H) | Wolves (H) | While Liverpool have the “easiest,” theirs only ranks 11th-best among the 20 Premier League teams, while Manchester City’s ranks 13th and Arsenal’s 15th. |
| – | – | Spurs (A) |
| 42.3 | 38.9 | 41.0 |
Premier League title race
PUNCH Online reports that the 2023–24 Premier League marks the 32nd instalment of the prestigious league and the 125th season of top-flight English football.
Fixture details were unveiled on June 15, 2023.
The season’s run commenced on August 11, 2023, and the season is slated to culminate on May 19, 2024.
Whether the EPL winner will emerge before the season concludes remains to be seen in the coming weeks. If not, the ultimate decision will be made on May 19.
In recent times, Liverpool lost the 2014 league title to City in the last game of the season.
On Wednesday night, Arsenal host Luton at the Emirates Stadium and Manchester City host Aston Villa.
Liverpool, on the other hand, host Sheffield United on Thursday night.
With the Premier League title race reaching its climax, attention turns to the crucial remaining fixtures that will determine the destiny of the 2023–24 season. As 20 teams gear up for the final sprint, analysis reveals intriguing insights into who holds the advantage and who faces an uphill battle in the pursuit of glory. The […]
Liverpool, on the other hand, host Sheffield United on Thursday night.
