Liverpool and Man City's next six fixtures in title race as Reds take upper hand

The Premier League's title rivals may have only played just 10 games so far this season - but there has already been a plenty of thrills and spills.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool currently sit top of the table after a near perfect start under their new manager. The Reds extended their excellent form at the weekend with a thrilling comeback victory against Brighton at Anfield.

Current champions Manchester City sit two points behind. Pep Guardiola’s side had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign but fell to their first defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Last season’s runners-up Arsenal also endured a tricky weekend as they lost to Newcastle. It leaves the Gunners already seven points off the pace.

But that could all change over the coming weeks as the current title contenders face tough runs. Take a look at each of their upcoming fixtures over the coming weeks:

There’s no doubt that Liverpool have a very tricky run coming up in the Premier League - and in the Champions League for that matter. Following the midweek clash with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, they host Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s side have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign. Following the November international break, the Reds resume their battle for the title against Southampton who have struggled but did pick up their first win of the season this weekend.

The difficulty then cranks up before Christmas. A potentially decisive clash with Manchester City at Anfield then awaits them ahead of another tricky trip to Newcastle.

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While it then gets slightly easier after that, the Reds will still have to have their wits about them. Their next fixture sees them travel to Goodison Park for the latest instalment of the Merseyside derby against Everton.

A home tie with Fulham then rounds off their next six league games. And in the Champions League, Liverpool could be stretched to their limit with clashes against Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Girona.

Next six fixtures:

9 Nov - Aston Villa (H)

24 Nov - Southampton (A)

1 Dec - Manchester City (H)

4 Dec - Newcastle (A)

7 Dec - Everton (A)

14 Dec - Fulham (H)

Like Liverpool, Man City also have a very difficult run over the coming weeks. They take on Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday ahead of returning to Premier League action against the impressive Brighton.

Following back-to-back defeats, City then come up against one of the sides that have beaten them this season. Spurs sealed a 2-1 victory in the Carabao Cup earlier this week, with their pair set to renew their rivalry after the international break.

Then comes the pivotal clash with Liverpool at Anfield. City will certainly not be relishing a trip to Merseyside. They have won just twice at Anfield this century - with Guardiola earning one of them.

Another defeat could potentially see their challenge for the Premier League crown placed into real jeopardy. But a win would really see them put down a marker.

It doesn’t get any easier for Guardiola’s men immediately after that. In-form Nottingham Forest - who currently sit third in the Premier League - are their next opponents at the Etihad Stadium.

Struggling Crystal Palace host City just a matter of days after that. A further test then awaits the champions as they welcome fierce rivals Man Utd to the Etihad. New Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim will certainly be looking for a statement victory.

Like Liverpool, City also face a number of tricky tests in the Champions League as they take on Sporting, Feyenoord and Juventus before Christmas.

Next six fixtures:

9 Nov - Brighton (A)

23 Nov - Spurs (H)

1 Dec - Liverpool (A)

4 Dec - Nottm Forest (H)

7 Dec - Crystal Palace (A)

15 Dec - Man Utd (H)

Having failed to win in each of their last three Premier League outings, Arsenal cannot really afford any more dropped points as they attempt to end their long wait for a title. But the games don’t really get any easier for the Gunners.

The North London side take on Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. And they then face another tricky away game as they travel to Chelsea next Sunday.

While a home game with Nottm Forest would usually represent a great chance for points, the Midlands side are a different challenge entirely this season. So Arsenal’s meeting with Forest on 23 November could be a test.

A trip to Sporting Lisbon is their next assignment before a game against struggling West Ham at the London Stadium at the end of the month. December has a tough start for the Gunners with a home game against Man United ahead of a trip to Fulham a few days later.

Everton are then Arsenal’s next opponents in mid-December. Mikel Arteta will certainly hope that they have been able to force themselves back into contention before then.

Next six fixtures

10 Nov - Chelsea (A)

23 Nov - Nottingham Forest (H)

30 Nov - West Ham (A)

4 Dec - Man Utd (H)

8 Dec - Fulham (A)

14 Dec - Everton (H)

It’s all relatively close when it comes to each side’s upcoming fixtures but it looks like City marginally have the toughest run heading into December. Should they win all of those, it would represent an excellent six weeks for the champions.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have the kindest run with games against West Ham, Fulham and Everton representing excellent opportunities for them to pick up points.