Manchester City and Arsenal go head to head in a Premier League title showdown on Wednesday – and one of the biggest games in the English top flight for a decade.
The Gunners lead the table by five points, but have played two games more than Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.
Both sides know a win at Etihad Stadium will see them take control of the title race with only a month until the finish line.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who were eight points clear at the start of the month, last won the title in 2003-04.
Chasing a fifth Premier League title in six years, City are also in contention for a Treble, including the FA Cup and Champions League.
“Arsenal have had a blip and I suspect their players will have doubts,” said 1994-95 Premier League winner Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Manchester City will have that strut, they’ve been there and done it, so I think they’ll win the game comfortably.”
Both managers say this game will not decide the Premier League title race – but the data suggests they may be wrong.
This will be the ninth time in Premier League history that the top two have met after 33 or more games (for the league leaders) with five points or fewer between them.
Only once did a team lose that game and win the title – when Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 in 2008, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side finished first by two points.
The last time there was a title showdown like this, back in 2014, neither team won the league. Chelsea beat leaders Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, but City – who had games in hand – were crowned champions on the final day.
