According to the Opta Supercomputer, the Gunners had begun the weekend with just a 21.4 per cent chance of landing a first top-flight crown since the 2003/04 campaign. Liverpool were considered favourites and given a 45 per cent chance, while Manchester City, despite lying in third, were just behind them on 33.6 per cen
But those figures have changed following Sunday’s game at Old Trafford. Ahead of a week where they’ll host Bayern Munich in the Champions League and then Aston Villa, Arsenal’s figure has shot up to 30.3%, a rise of 8.9%.
City, who won 4-2 at Crystal Palace at Saturday lunchtime and lie one point off the top, are now established as the Supercomputer’s new favourites having gone up to 40.6 per cent (a rise of seven per cent). And the stats now make for concerning reading for Liverpool fans, whose chances have plummeted after dropping points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now deemed to have a 29.1 per cent chance of giving the German the perfect send-off this summer, a dramatic drop of 15.9 per cent. All sides have seven league games remaining, with more twists, turns, and percentage changes expected between now and May 19.
The title contenders all play at home this coming weekend and will be expected to pick up three points. Champions City, gunning for a fourth straight league crown, host Luton Town at 3pm on Saturday.
The Reds will look to get back on track against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with a 2pm kick-off. But a win may mean they only top the table for a matter of hours, with Villa’s visit to the Emirates starting at 4.30pm.
But Liverpool boss Klopp believes that regardless, the race will go down to wire. After the draw at United, he said: “I knew it would be super tricky until the end,” he said.
“The same boys who missed a few chances today are the boys who brought us 71 points. It is (the title race) is likely to have more twists before the season finishes.”
