Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday has tightened the Premier League title race, with Manchester City now holding two games in hand. The Gunners lead by nine points but City have a match against Chelsea on Sunday and a clash with Arsenal at the Etihad on April 19. Should City win both, they would be three points off top spot, and a victory in their rearranged game against Crystal Palace could see them draw level.
If Arsenal and City finish on equal points, the first tiebreaker is goal difference. City is the only club to have won the Premier League on goal difference, doing so in 2012 against Manchester United. If goal difference is identical, the next factor is goals scored, as happened when Arsenal beat Liverpool to the title in 1989.
Should both teams remain level after goal difference and goals scored, points earned in head-to-head meetings are considered. Arsenal drew 1-1 with City at the Emirates in September, and the outcome of the return fixture on April 19 will be crucial. If that match also ends in a draw, away goals in the two fixtures would decide the champion.
In the highly unlikely event that all tiebreakers are equal, a one-off play-off match at a neutral venue would be held. If still level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties would determine the Premier League winner.
