EPL Title Race on Matchday 38
The Premier League title race is almost at its climax. Tomorrow’s games will decide whether it will be a first trophy in 20 years for Arsenal, or a fourth in a row for Manchester City.
So today we take an in-depth look at the 2 games involving the title contenders. For everything else to look forward to on Sunday, you can also read a detailed preview of matchday 38 on our website.
You can also read all that Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola had to say about the final games here.
Arsenal vs Everton
The Gunners take on Sean Dyche’s Everton at home on the last matchday of the season. In order to still have any chance of clinching the title, Arsenal have only one option: victory.
You can read our preview of this game here.
Arsenal can certainly be optimistic about their chances in this game, as the Toffees are safe from relegation worries and have little else but pride to play for. However, as we know, sometimes these are the most dangerous games for a team that is expected to win.
Arteta’s men have a great record when it comes to EPL final day games. Their 71% win ratio in such games is the highest among Premier League teams, and they have not lost a matchday 38 game since a defeat against Birmingham at the end of the 2004-05 season.
Also, Arsenal’s home record against Everton is quite impressive, as they have won 9 of the last 10 games against them at the Emirates.
Despite good form for Everton in recent weeks, they go back to a stadium where they have conceded 3 or more goals in their last 4 visits.
Regarding whether West Ham can do the Gunners a favour, Arteta had the following to say: “The hope is there. We have to do our job because Everton will be tough. We have to prove again that we can be better than the opponent. Then we have to wish for West Ham to have a really good day and help us to fulfil our dream.”
We reckon that if Arsenal’s front line, with an in-form Kai Havertz front and centre, is as fired up for this occasion as expected, the hosts will not stumble tomorrow and will do their part to get the 3 points, leaving City needing a win in their own game to win the title.
Manchester City vs West Ham
The Etihad Stadium will be hoping to witness history tomorrow afternoon, as Manchester City know that a victory against the Hammers will deliver the Premier League trophy regardless of what Arsenal do in their game.
Clinching 3 points here will mean that Guardiola’s team will be the first to ever win 4 Premier League/First Division titles in a row, further cementing an already outstanding legacy as serial winners in all English competitions.
To read a full preview of this game, you can click here.
West Ham are heading to the northwest of England knowing that this will be David Moyes’ last game in charge. While the Scotsman has a good career record in games against City, he has never managed to win a league game against Pep Guardiola.
It is hard to see West Ham emerging with any kind of positive result from this game, as Manchester City are, like Arsenal, a highly effective team when playing on the final day of a season. City have won each of the first 6 final day games under Guardiola, but did lose 1-0 away to Brentford at the end of last season.
The Catalan manager does seem to have a clear idea about what will be needed in order to beat West Ham: “Don’t talk about the consequences, just what you have to do to win, to control it, the transitions, the coolness, the set-pieces, the long balls – how you defend every single ball. There’s a lot of stuff that West Ham demand that you have to do, and you have to do it perfect. These are the only things on my mind.”
Premier League Title Race
Naturally, the identity of the 2023-24 Premier League champions is the biggest talking point ahead of Sunday’s games.
Manchester City go in with a significant advantage, as they know that their fate is in their own hands. Win against West Ham and they’re champions. Guardiola has plenty of experience and will know what to tell his team in order to get the job done.
Arsenal will surely be up for the task against Everton, as Arteta will be doing his best to light a fire under his young team. However, the Spaniard’s thoughts will certainly be with the Hammers as well, hoping that Moyes can do him a favour in his last game in charge.
In conclusion, we can expect both title challengers to win their games, meaning that City will be crowned champions for the 6th time in 7 years.