Micah Richards suggests fixture change could have changed title race for Manchester City and Arsenal

07/05/2024 19:04

Manchester City will beat Arsenal to the Premier League title, Micah Richards predicts.

But the City icon thinks things would have been more nerve-wracking for his former club had there not been a fixture change.

As it stands, Arsenal lead City in the table by one point but crucially have played a game more than their rivals.

The Gunners travel to Manchester United on Sunday before hosting Everton on the final day of the season, while the Citizens are away to Fulham and then Tottenham, before West Ham visit the Etihad on final day.

For several weeks many were touting the clash at Spurs to be the decisive fixture in the title race, with all other fixtures predicted to be easy wins for the would be champions.

Even a draw would likely not be enough for Pep Guardiola’s side given their inferior goal difference, but Tottenham’s dreadful form over the past few weeks has left pundits and fans in very little doubt that City will cruise to victory and eventually lift the trophy.

Richards agrees, saying on The Rest is Football podcast: ‘You look at City who have Spurs away as well, but the rest of those games you are thinking they will probably win.

‘Spurs away, their record there is not that great in recent time, it's hotting up. But I just think Man City have the edge.

‘If Spurs had played Man City three weeks ago, City fans would have been a bit more nervous but Spurs are giving up too many goals.

‘If they try and play that high line against Man City they’re going to get absolutely battered. They are going to have to change a little.

‘It’s going to be an interesting game but I think Man City have got too much. I think both Man City and Arsenal will win their remaining games even though we want to see a little bit jeopardy.’

It’s interesting that Richards says this, as Tottenham vs Man City was originally slated for 20 April but was moved to the 14 May because of the latter’s participation in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Prior to the original date, Ange Postecoglou’s side had won eight of their last 11 fixtures, losing just one. They are now currently on a run of four straight defeats in which they have conceded 13 goals.

Tottenham have been City’s bogey team of late, with City winning just two of their last six meetings and have only ever won once at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, that win was back in January, when they triumphed 1-0 over the Lilywhites in the FA Cup fourth-round thanks to a late Nathan Ake goal.

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