The Premier League returns this weekend, which suggests the enthralling title race between Arsenal and Manchester City is approaching the house straight. 

League leaders Arsenal sit eight factors clear with 10 video games to go however champions City have a recreation in hand and nonetheless should welcome Mikel Arteta’s Aspect to the Etihad subsequent month. 

Pep Guardiola’s aspect are snapping at their heels, having put the concern of God in rival groups simply earlier than the worldwide break after barnstorming 6-0 and 7-0 wins in opposition to Burnley and RB Leipzig respectively.

But because the begin of the season, momentum has been rising in north London as Mikel Arteta’s dazzlingly in-form aspect safe outcomes week-in week-out with their fluid and inventive soccer. 

Can Arsenal keep the course to win their first league title in almost 20 years? Or will City’s tried-and-tested expertise win them a 3rd consecutive title – drawing them stage with crosstown rival Manchester United’s file? 

Here, Sportsmail takes you thru each contenders’ remaining fixtures to foretell who will carry the trophy on May 28.   

Gameweek 29

Manchester City v Liverpool – Prediction: 3-0 to City

Jurgen Klopp’s males handed City their first lack of the season again in October with Mohamed Salah’s elegant particular person purpose proving the distinction in a win that got here amidst a string of middling outcomes. 

Guardiola does have just a few damage considerations with Erling Haaland’s health nonetheless unclear as he offers with a groin damage whereas Phil Foden is unquestionably dominated out.

But, at dwelling on the Etihad after a well-managed worldwide break, City ought to be capable to take their revenge emphatically in opposition to their low-spirited guests. 

Arsenal v Leeds – Prediction: 3-1 to Arsenal 

Leeds have had a world break to neglect and the opportunity of lacking gamers reminiscent of Tyler Adams and Maximilian Wober might make it the worst doable time to satisfy the league leaders. 

That mentioned, with their assault firing, getting on the scoresheet should not be dominated out and issues are beginning to get a bit of nervy for Arsenal. 

But Arteta’s males made gentle work in opposition to the crew on the highway in December, and can face more durable challenges on their maintain on the high of the desk.  

1. Arsenal – 72 factors

2. Manchester City – 64 factors

Gameweek 30 

Southampton v Manchester City – Prediction: 2-1 to City

The Saints confirmed the grit and verve that can be mandatory if they’re to keep away from relegation within the last match earlier than the break – their 3-3 draw in opposition to Tottenham was the proverbial straw that broke Antonio Conte’s again. 

Guardiola’s males thumped Southampton on the Etihad however the Saints might show a extra decided prospect at St Mary’s, even when City’s high quality will doubtless hand them the three factors. 

Liverpool v Arsenal – Prediction: 2-2 

There’s certain to be a bit of sting and needle on this tie after the acrimonious 3-2 victory that Arsenal swiped on the Emirates initially of the season and Arteta’s meltdown on the touchline final 12 months.

By early April, Liverpool would possibly as soon as once more be benefitting from the companies of a fully-firing Luis Diaz and returning Thiago Alcantara, plus their file in opposition to groups above them this season is robust.

The Reds will really feel the advantage of an Anfield-based conflict and, in the event that they’re nonetheless within the hunt for a top-four spot, will again themselves to dent Arsenal’s title cost.

1. Arsenal – 73

2. Manchester City – 67 

Gameweek 31

Manchester City v Leicester – Prediction: 2-1 to City

Things might get fascinating right here, with City’s first Champions League quarter-final set to be performed 4 days earlier. 

City are competing on three fronts, with the FA Cup additionally nonetheless in rivalry, whereas after their Europa League knockout, Arsenal’s sights are firmly fastened on Premier League glory. 

City have enviable squad depth however with the hole between the 2 groups tipped to shorten to 6 factors, Guardiola is unlikely to cross up the chance to area his strongest sides.

That being mentioned, Leicester’s monitor file this season in opposition to ‘Big Six’ opposition each at dwelling and on the highway do not persuade. 

West Ham v Arsenal – Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal

This match is a must-win for any potential champion-in-waiting.

West Ham are not any extra secure than when Arsenal overturned them 3-1 earlier within the season, and David Moyes stays under-threat.

Unless the Hammers expertise an unanticipated new-manager bounced, it is a rote victory for his or her London rivals. 

1. Arsenal – 76

2. Manchester City – 70 

Gameweek 32

Arsenal v Southampton – Prediction: 3-0 to Arsenal

A ground-out 1-1 draw was one of many last vivid spots then-manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was capable of expertise earlier than he was sacked by Southampton in November. 

Arsenal have the joint-best dwelling file within the league and Southampton will not be more likely to have had their spirits lifted by a current run-in with City. 

1. Arsenal – 79

2. Manchester City – 70 

Gameweek 33 

Manchester City v Arsenal – Prediction: 2-2

Winning can be non-negotiable for the house aspect as rearranged fixtures widen their proximity to the table-toppers. 

City’s 3-1 win on the Emirates could have made for an ungainly mentor-mentee run-in between Guardiola and Arteta, and the scholar can be trying to waste no time in redressing the steadiness. 

This might be the place Arsenal’s single-minded fixture record proves the distinction. Like all big-ticket ties, this blockbuster assembly is most probably to complete with factors shared. 

1. Arsenal – 80

2. Manchester City – 71 

Gameweek 34

Arsenal v Chelsea – Prediction: 3-1 to Arsenal

It is difficult to foretell which iteration of Graham Potter’s aspect will flip up on any given day. Is it the crew that stuns Borussia Dortmund that travels to the Emirates that day, or will Arsenal welcome the aspect that failed to seek out an equaliser in opposition to bottom-placed Southampton? 

Should Potter keep on the helm in west London, time would be the biggest tonic for his Chelsea aspect. It’s not unbelievable to suppose that the Blues can be a extra secure and profitable aspect by the top of April, no matter what Real Madrid has thrown at them within the Champions League, however beating Arteta’s aspect will doubtless be a bridge too far.  

Fulham v Manchester City – Prediction: 3-1 to City 

As he normally does, Erling Haaland proved the distinction throughout their first assembly this season, breaking the impasse on the final after City performed the vast majority of the match with 10 males following Joao Cancelo’s early sending off. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic can be again and firing for Fulham after serving his three-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, and a Europa Conference League spot would possibly nonetheless be in play for the aspect – however getting on the scoresheet would possibly nonetheless be Fulham’s most practical aspiration for the tie. 

Manchester City v West Ham – Prediction: 4-0 to City

A double match week should not show the best chore for City, who can finish their week at dwelling in opposition to manageable opposition. 

Their assembly initially of the season launched Haaland to the Premier League in monstrous trend, and one other competent efficiency at dwelling ought to slim their hole to the league leaders. 

1. Arsenal – 83

2. Manchester City – 77 

Gameweek 35

Manchester City v Leeds – Prediction: 2-0 to City

Should City knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League, this fixture might but be moved, however even a cluttered fixture record ought to see the Manchester aspect swipe the win with minimal fuss. 

Leeds look significantly susceptible on the again and regardless that they are going to be battling for his or her Premier League future, there’s absolutely no manner they’re going to win on the Etihad. 

Newcastle v Arsenal – Prediction: 1-1

Arsenal will be thankful for their lack of distractions going into their subsequent two fixtures. 

Eddie Howe’s aspect hardly ever make a visit to St James’ Park comfy for visiting sides, and after an inconsistent begin to 2023, Newcastle are moving into confidence. 

Likely to be one other aspect deeply motivated by the prospect of long-awaited European competitors subsequent season, the Magpies will got down to completely frustrate the Gunners. 

1. Arsenal – 84

2. Manchester City – 80 

Gameweek 36

Arsenal v Brighton – Prediction: 3-2 to Arsenal

The ‘Big Six’ bogeymen thumped Arsenal once they met within the Carabao Cup final 12 months however after the winter break, Arteta’s males exacted their revenge on the highway. 

Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect has regarded bullet-proof for big swathes of the season, however because the title race narrows, count on Arsenal to scrap till the ultimate whistle. 

Everton v Manchester City – Prediction: 1-0 to City

The startling draw between the 2 sides in December was a keep of execution for then-manager Frank Lampard, however the axe was ultimately swung, and the prospect of Sean Dyche-led Everton at house is an altogether extra curious one. 

The aspect have recorded combined outcomes to say the least however because the season attracts to an in depth, they’re unlikely to see their dwelling win over Arsenal that heralded the beginning of Dyche’s reign repeated. 

1. Arsenal – 87

2. Manchester City – 83 

Gameweek 37 

Manchester City v Chelsea – Prediction: 2-1 to City

These groups have met sufficient prior to now 9 months for assumptions to be made with some confidence. 

Chelsea have endured losses within the league, Carabao Cup and FA Cup to the Cityzens, and will the universe have a very acute sense of humour, they may conceivably meet once more within the Champions League. 

Chelsea ought to win ultimately, however it’s not going to be because the hole closes to 4 factors.  

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – Prediction: 3-0 to Arsenal

Steve Cooper’s Forest are much more more likely to get their ‘Big Six’-beating end result out of their system in opposition to Chelsea the earlier recreation week.

Arsenal might not put 5 previous the aspect, as they did in October, however issues have gotten very severe certainly on the high of the desk. 

1. Arsenal – 90

2. Manchester City – 86 

Gameweek 38

Arsenal v Wolves – Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal

Julen Lopetegui’s project in November turned Wolves’ season round however current outcomes have confirmed their resolutely mid-table standing in 2023.

With Premier League glory within the cross-hairs for the primary time in almost twenty years, Arsenal – whose title cost has been partly outlined by their capacity to grab the end result when a draw appears a foregone conclusion – will take the factors right here too. But will it’s sufficient?  

Brentford v Manchester City – Prediction: 2-1 to City

The title might hinge on the Ivan Toney query – will Brentford’s lynchpin be capable to participate of their last match? Will he have been in a position to participate in lots of, or any ties within the enterprise finish of the season – and the way have Brentford learnt to do with out him? 

With a ban because of the participant’s breach of the FA’s betting guidelines looming, however as but unknown, Brentford’s destiny hangs within the steadiness. No membership has been extra able to handing Guardiola’s aspect an upset. City had been tumbled on the Etihad by Thomas Frank’s aspect in November, and their file at dwelling is robust. 

But City have not misplaced their last recreation of the season since 2013. Through gritted tooth, the guests take all three factors. 

But… there’s yet one more fixture unaccounted for. 

Not but scheduled: Brighton v Manchester City – Prediction: 2-1 to City

This fixture is a casualty of City’s FA Cup run, and has but to be slipped into the season. Where finally ends up might undo a string of the above predictions, however thought-about objectively, it is a tie that the guests might edge. 

De Zerbi was simply discovering his ft when Brighton made the journey north to be skittled 3-1 in October, however City will look greater than able to no less than an try of their repeat efficiency.  

1. Arsenal – 93

2. Manchester City – 92 

City have narrowed the present hole between the 2 groups however they’re pressured to take a bitter swig of their very own medication, having left Liverpool dangling in comparable place in 2019 and 2022. 

Consistency has been Arteta’s watchword this season and religion in his Arsenal aspect and his concepts, in addition to their blistering first crew kind and sole give attention to the Premier League ought to return the trophy to north London after its extended absence.