How Arsenal and Man City could face Premier League title play-off after season ends

Arsenal and Manchester City are currently locked in a tight battle to win this season's Premier League title, but could face a play-off at the end of the season

We are now into the final two months of the Premier League season and the title race is heating up.

Arsenal currently hold the advantage, sitting eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand on their title rivals. The Gunners have nine league fixtures remaining whilst City will play ten, although it is also possible that the two sides could meet again after the season is over in a play-off to decide who is crowned the champions of England.

While unlikely, if the two teams finish level on points, goal difference, goals scored and have an identical head-to-head record then they would face off in a playoff at a neutral ground. In a statement back in 2020, the Premier League said: "If two or more clubs finish level in the table when competing for the title or European qualification, or when relegation is at stake, their records in the head-to-head matches will now be used to separate them.

"In previous seasons, teams involved in these specific battles who finished with the same points total, goal difference and number of goals scored would be pitted against each other in a playoff. But that extra match is now less likely.

"Only if the clubs remain level in the table after this will a playoff be arranged, at a neutral ground, with the format, timing and venue being determined by the Premier League Board." City will welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium later this month having won 3-1 at the Emirates back in February.

This means that if the Gunners secure a 3-1 victory in Manchester whilst also finishing level on points, goal difference and goals scored then there would be a title-deciding play-off match after the season has ended. Other results would need to go a certain way, of course, but there is a real chance an extra 39th game could take place in what would be a hugely dramatic turn of events.