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6 months ago
40 Gary Neville expects the Premier League title race to be concluded before the end of the season as he hinted at Arsenal potentially dropping points against Manchester United this weekend.
The former United right-back also labelled City’s run of perfect form as ‘inevitable’.
I can’t help but think back to a few weeks ago when the mainstream media were still gloating over Jurgen Klopp’s farewell and how Liverpool were going for the quadruple but ended up winning the Carabao Cup (plus finishing third?).
Klopp will now leave English football with his tail between his legs, having just one league title to show for nine years.
Hopefully next season we can add Manchester United into the title race equation, but there is a lot of work to do before we achieve such lofty objectives.
Arsenal and City continued their game of leapfrog at the Premier League summit over the weekend as the reigning champions thrashed Wolves, while Arsenal made comfortable work of Bournemouth.
The Gunners remain top with a one point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side who are attempting to win a fourth consecutive top-flight crown.
Neville expects the title race to be over before Sunday May 19.
Arsenal have to beat United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season, however, Neville admits he could see the Gunners dropping points that would give City a chance to storm ahead at the top of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, City face a midtable Fulham prior to travelling to take on Tottenham. They also host West Ham on the final day of the league season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said (via Daily Mail): “A few weeks ago when I said they had to be perfect and they have just had that one slip-up against Aston Villa, there’s an inevitability of City at this stage of the season, getting the job done, knowing what they need to do.
“They have got that difficult game against Spurs on paper in 10 days but the way Spurs are at this moment in time I think it will be difficult for them against a City side playing for the title, it will be a difficult proposition.
“As I sit here this weekend, Arsenal and City played really well and did their jobs but you wonder where the title race is going to twist. Where is the twist? City don’t give you twists,’ continued Neville.
“You always said in years gone by, there will be a twist and turn, something will happen, I’m not sure it is going to happen. What normally happens in these moments is if City win on the Saturday, Arsenal drop points on the Sunday and City win the title on the Tuesday.
“That’s what normally happens, it may go to the final day and if it does then it means Arsenal have beaten Man United at Old Trafford. If Arsenal go win at Old Trafford that’s a hell of a win.”
If Arsenal fail to take three points away from Old Trafford, then City could seal the title on the following Tuesday, May 14. Neville believes that outcome is more likely.
“I have that fear the title race could be over a week on Tuesday. I want the title race to go to the final day, my fear is it won’t if City win on Saturday against Fulham and United take points off Arsenal on the Sunday.
“Arsenal have already proven they are a different side than last season but just feels like an inevitability City will be perfect until the end.”
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