The Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City remains incredibly tight as the season approaches its climax. With both teams level on points, the possibility of a tiebreaker scenario is very real. Here is how the Premier League decides the champion if two clubs finish on the same points.
Goal Difference
The first and most common tiebreaker is goal difference. This is the difference between goals scored and goals conceded across all 38 matches. Arsenal and Manchester City have kept their goal differences close throughout the campaign, making this a key psychological factor heading into the final games.
Total Goals Scored
If goal difference is identical, the next tiebreaker is total goals scored. The team that has netted more goals over the entire season will finish higher. Both sides have been prolific, so this could be decisive.
Head-to-Head Record
If both goal difference and total goals scored are the same, the Premier League looks at the head-to-head results between the two teams. This season, Manchester City have the edge, having drawn 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away against Arsenal. This means City would win the title if it comes down to this tiebreaker.
Away Goals in Head-to-Head
The next tiebreaker is the number of away goals scored in the head-to-head matches. However, since Manchester City have already secured the head-to-head advantage, this metric will not be needed to separate the teams this season.
Playoff Match
If all the above tiebreakers fail to separate the teams, a neutral-venue playoff match would be scheduled. This has never happened in Premier League history and will not occur this year due to City's head-to-head superiority.
Arsenal's Final Match
Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace on the final day, May 24. They could already be champions if results go their way in the penultimate week.
Manchester City's Final Match
City host Aston Villa at home. A win could secure the title if Arsenal drop points.
