Manchester City and Liverpool are separated at the top of the Premier League by just three points with a few games remaining, and there is a real possibility that the two sides may finish level on points on May 22.
Both sides still have some challenging matchups to play, and the title race is sure to have one or two final twists, but all of those results may very well end with Liverpool and Man City level at the top.
If two teams finish level on points, goal difference will determine the winner, with goals scored being the second criteria applied if necessary, according to the Premier League’s official website.
If those two tiebreakers fail to distinguish the two teams, the championship will be split.
When it comes to the two tiebreakers, the margins are similarly razor-thin. City currently has a goal difference of +63, while Liverpool has a goal difference of +64. Liverpool has also scored three more goals than City, with 87 to City’s 84.
| Place | Team | PTS | GP | GD | GS | Next Match | TitleProbability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Man City | 86 | 35 | +68 | 89 | @ WOL, May 11 | 76% |
| 2. | Liverpool | 83 | 35 | +64 | 87 | @ AVL, May 10 | 24% |
| 3. | Chelsea | 67 | 35 | +39 | 70 | @ LEE, May 11 | 0% |
- Liverpool run-in (3): @ AVL, @ SOU, vs. WOL
- Manchester City run-in (4): @ WOL, @ WHU, vs. AVL
With the win, Manchester City drew level with Manchester United at the top of the table with 89 points. When the tiebreakers kicked in, starting with goal difference, Man City was crowned champion.
Man City knew that if they won the final game, it would be difficult for Man United to close the eight-goal gap in goal difference. If Man City won, Man United would have to win by an unusually large margin to close the gap, which did not happen.
Man City won the Premier League for the first time after Manchester United’s +56 goal difference fell short of Man City’s +64 goal difference.
Liverpool (+64) leads Manchester City (+63) in goal differential with three games remaining in the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Has the Premiesr League title ever been shared?
The Premier League title has never been split, but if two teams finish with the same number of points, goal difference, and goals scored, the trophy will be split.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility, given that Manchester City and Liverpool are practically level on all tiebreakers, including goals scored (87 to 84).
The Premier League has experienced five seasons in which the title was determined by a single point, including the 2011-2012 situation in which the two Manchester teams finished level on points. In four of them, Manchester United was involved:
Seasons in the Premier League are determined by one point
- 2018-19: 1st – Manchester City (98 pts), 2nd – Liverpool (97 pts)
- 2009-10: 1st – Chelsea (86 pts), 2nd – Man United (85 pts)
- 1998-99: 1st – Man United (79 pts), 2nd – Arsenal (78 pts)
- 1997-98: 1st – Arsenal (78 pts), 2nd – Man United (77 pts)
- 1994-95: 1st – Blackburn (89 pts), 2nd – Man United (88 pts)
Prize money for Premier League champions
According to Forbes, the Premier League’s share of earnings from domestic and international TV rights payments is broken up using a formula.
The Premier League‘s television revenue is a significant source of revenue for its clubs. Teams that finish higher in the standings or have more games broadcast receive a larger portion of the prize pool.
All 20 Premier League clubs share half of the total pool equally. Another 25% is distributed to each side based on the number of times their matches were shown live on British television. The remaining 25% of the pool is distributed as “merit” rewards, which are decided by a team’s position in the standings.
