Manchester City could be crowned the champions of the Premier League after the match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Premier League title-deciding match which is scheduled to kick-off at 16:30 is the 34th league game of the season and might not only decide who wins the title, it might also decide whether or not Liverpool still stands a chance of making it into the top four.
How can Man United and Liverpool’s game earn Manchester City the Premier League title?
Ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool, Manchester City played their 34th league game against Crystal Palace and the table-toppers defeated Palace 0-2. The away win means that City are as good as being the champions of the league but have to wait until United record a defeat later today.
Currently, Manchester City have a total number of 80 points in 34 league games. While Manchester United have 67 points in 33 league games. United have possible 15 points in their remaining league games including the game against Liverpool.
This means that if Manchester United win their 5 remaining games, they will have a total of 82 points. But if they lose to Liverpool today, that means that the possible points United could still garner would be 79 points which would not be up to the current points of City (80 points).
Hence, United are condemned to beat Liverpool to keep the fight for the title going until at least week 35. If they are not able to do that, Manchester City will be confirmed champions of the league for the third time in four seasons with four games remaining.
Note that a draw in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool might be enough to win Manchester City the Premier League title. Besides, City currently has more goals than United. The goal difference of City is 47 while that of United is 29.
However, Manchester City might have to wait for the confirmation of the Premier League before they start celebrating the league title if Liverpool end up drawing with Manchester United.
Has last night's win affected our plans for Sunday? 🤔
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 30, 2021
Don't forget, you can follow #MUNLIV on https://t.co/YS4CBzXRmU or in our app 👇#MUFC
Why is the match important to Liverpool
Liverpool will definitely hand over the Premier League title to Manchester City if United defeat them today. But that might not be their main call for concern. If they lose the match, their hope of finishing in the top four might be forever gone this season.
They are currently sitting on the 6th spot on the league table with 54 points in 33 games, 7 points below 4th placed Chelsea football club that have played one game more than Liverpool.
Liverpool is surrounded by 5th placed West Ham United that have 55 points in 33 games, and 7th placed Tottenham Hotspurs that have 53 points in 33 games. This means that if 4th placed Chelsea or 3rd placed Leicester City slip, there are three clubs, including Liverpool, that could take over.
Hence, for Liverpool to remain one of such a club that could take over from either Leicester City or Chelsea in case they slip, they have to beat United today and continue winning.
Manchester City still on course to win treble
If Manchester City are confirmed champions later today, May 2, that will make it two major titles coach Pep Guardiola and his boys have won this season.
Recall that they beat Tottenham Hotspur in April to claim the Carabao Cup for the 4th successive time under Pep Guardiola.
Besides the Carabao Cup and the Premier League, Manchester City are in contention to win the UEFA Champions League this season. They beat Paris Saint Germain 2-1 in the first leg of the competition’s semi-final stage which means that they need at least a draw to make it to the final.
Once Pep Guardiola wins the Champions League title for City, it would not just be the club’s third title this season, it will the club’s first UEFA Champions League title in the club’s history.
