With five matches to go in the English Premier League, Manchester City and Arsenal are only separated on goals scored at the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's side had been top of the table for 209 days until last week. Manchester City's 2-1 win over Arsenal last Sunday boosted their hopes – and a 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday sent them top.
With the EPL title on the line, both Manchester City and Arsenal will be free-scoring in the final five games. They won't have flawless records – there will be a draw apiece and results will dictate both teams ending up with the same goal difference of +46. Although Manchester City have a tougher run-in than Arsenal on paper, their knowhow in terms of getting the job done during a tight race will prove crucial.
City will play Everton and Bournemouth away. Both are chasing European football. The Gunners will be against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season with one hand touching the Premier League trophy on goal difference. Arsenal take on visiting Newcastle this Saturday, and anything can happen at the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle have given the Gunners a good game in the past but they are struggling at the moment and, with what is at stake, Arsenal is expected to get the job done.
If Arsenal fumble and Manchester City win their next game, it means a second domestic treble and a tearful Guardiola is expected to sail off into the sunset after a decade of unprecedented success. Mikel Arteta's army, which include Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres, have shown they have all it takes to grab the title. On the other hand, Pep is confident that his never-say-die squad, led by Erling Haaland, will deliver the title. He has netted 24 goals so far this season. City also has some other great attackers including Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.
Guardiola's current deal expires at the end of the next season, and the football industry is awash with speculation he is preparing to walk away. Though, City want Guardiola to renew beyond the end of his contract. Who will win the EPL title between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta? All fingers remain crossed until next month.
In the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), there are only three matches left, but tension is rising in what appears a sprint to the finish line, with every pass, every tackle, and every goal carrying the weight of a season's ambition. With no outstanding fixtures in the NPFL, 350 matches already played, and 693 goals scored, Enugu Rangers stand at the summit with 59 points. Rangers have scored 42 goals and conceded just 25 goals this season, maintaining the best defensive record in the league.
But the race is far from over. Rivers United (58 points), Ikorodu City FC (55 points), Abia Warriors (55 points), Shooting Stars (54 points), Nasarawa United (53 points) and old war horse, Bendel Insurance FC (52 points) are looking ready to disrupt the party for Rangers. Away performances continue to define the competitiveness of the NPFL league this season. With only 41 away wins out of 350 matches, it is clear that home advantage remains a decisive factor. Abia Warriors is leading with five away victories to demonstrate how dangerous they can be on the road. Any team capable of grinding out results away from home in these final fixtures holds a significant edge.
At the other end of the table, the battle for survival is equally intense. Kun Khalifat FC, Bayelsa United FC, and Wikki Tourist FC sit on 40 points, with Warri Wolves on 43 points. All are dangerously close to the drop zone. With three matches remaining, survival will depend not just on results, but on mental strength, tactical discipline, and the ability to handle pressure. One mistake could define their fate. Perhaps, one club that has performed so poorly this season in the NPFL is former champion, Remo Stars FC of Ikenne, Ogun State. The club, which has conceded a league-high 43 goals, is among those struggling for survival.
The NPFL is on break this weekend due to the FA Cup competition going on across the country.
