The 2023/24 Premier League season promises to have one of the most exciting run-ins of recent times, with three teams all in with a realistic chance of lifting the trophy, with just 10 games to go.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City each have realistic chances and for the former, it could mean a fairytale finish for departing boss Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds having already won the Carabao Cup.
The German has won every trophy at least once during his time in charge (fittingly, they are realistic contenders to win the Europa League as well – the only piece of silverware to still elude him), and winning this season’s edition of the Premier League would make it twice in four years.
For the games they have remaining, they face clubs that are beatable, though there is the odd tricky fixture. Fulham at Craven Cottage have shown that they are capable of upsetting big clubs, having already swept aside Tottenham, who visit Anfield in the final match of the season in what could be a thriller.
In the Europa League, a tough and in-form Atalanta side awaits; a team that is packed with talent and has the ability to cause problems. Assuming the Reds progress, there are many other clubs they could draw; winning the Europa League is as fiercely competitive as it has ever been.
Competing on two fronts may just hand the advantage over to Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta seemingly has a steely determination to deliver Premier League success for the first time in 20 years and, may regard winning the Champions League as next season’s priority, despite a quarter-final tie against a Bayern Munich side that they won’t have a better chance of beating.
Who Are The Favourites To Win The Premier League?
Currently, the majority of bookmakers have reigning champions Manchester City to lift the trophy, though arguably, their run-in is a lot tougher, with games against fellow contenders Arsenal, top four prospects Aston Villa, while this season’s giant-killers Wolves visit on the last day of the season in what will be a feisty encounter.
Still competing on three fronts, they also have a potentially tricky FA Cup semi-final to play against Chelsea and a mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid standing in their way.
There are numerous fixtures in the run-in that may have good value in terms of odds if you like to bet on Liverpool matches.
The atmosphere at Anfield for the remaining fixtures is likely to resemble nothing anyone has experienced before and they will want to make sure that Klopp gets the send-off he deserves.
Who Is Key To Liverpool’s Chances Of Success?
If the Reds are to win both the Premier League and Europa League, then hopes will arguably be pinned on certain personnel to perform.
A clinical Mohamed Salah in a game that Liverpool are failing to get a hold of can be the difference-maker as he has shown time and again, though in recent weeks, summer signing Alexis Mac Allister has demonstrated how important he is.
In his last four Premier League games, the ex-Brighton player has scored twice and made three assists, arguably, coming into form at the right time of the season.
Meanwhile, the return from injury of further players can be a welcome boost, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker all due back throughout April.
The latter will be a key boost for the Reds, though deputy Caoimhin Kelleher has performed admirably in the Brazilian custodian’s absence.
Could A Gap Open Up At The Top?
If we were at any time this season, going to see a gap open up at the top of the Premier League, then it is during the next few weeks where this would happen.
All three clubs are competing on more than one front – in Manchester City’s case they are vying for the treble, though arguably, with the thinnest squad. A domestic slip up from them certainly is possible.
The Gunners may just be the likeliest club to break away, with the form that they are in and the confidence they are playing with. However, certainly do not write off Liverpool who have demonstrated time and again that they are capable of upsetting the odds. It really is all to play for and winning the Europa League as well will be a fairytale finish.
