The Premier League returns this weekend and we are entering what Sir Alex Ferguson used to call "squeaky bum time" at the business end of the season.
Just one point separates league leaders Manchester City, who travel to Burnley on Saturday afternoon, and second-placed Liverpool, who host Watford in the lunchtime kick-off the same day, with nine fixtures of the campaign left.
Pep Guardiola's side are the favourites with the bookies to lift the trophy ahead of Jurgen Klopp's men but we asked our team of crack writers to make their predictions on whether the Premier League trophy will end up in the cabinet at Anfield or the Etihad Stadium.
Neil Squires
Manchester City. Home advantage in what looks like being the title decider against Liverpool on April 10 gives Pep Guardiola’s side the edge despite Liverpool’s heroics in turning what looked like a procession into another epic arm wrestle.
David Maddock
Liverpool. They are the team with momentum, and at this moment a startling belief. Even when playing far from their best they can grind our results. That said, it could well come down to who deals best with the insane amount of games in the next two months, and in that respect, City have the track record.
Harry Pratt
Liverpool. At the top, it’s going to be Liverpool by the closest of margins - because they have Jurgen Klopp rather than Pep Guardiola in the dug out. The latter loves tinkering for no good reason and for the biggest games. Rarely does he comes out the winner - Champions League final, FA Cup semi-final last year underline that trend. He either changes or the Reds triumph.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the Premier League? Let us know in the comments section
Gideon Brooks
Man City. If the two share the points at the Etihad next weekend like they did at Anfield earlier in the season – a result which may result from both fearing defeat – it would be down to the remaining eight games to decide the title. My crystal ball does not see either dropping more than two points each so a titanic struggle from now until the end sees Man City win by 92 points to 91.
Neil Moxley
Liverpool. For me, it’s Liverpool for the title - although it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if we had a re-run of the chase that went down to the wire a couple of seasons ago.
Why? The Reds aren’t conceding goals. Never mind the threat at the other end of the pitch, since they shared four at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of 2022, Jurgen Klopp’s side has let in just two in nine Premier League outings - against Crystal Palace and Norwich City.
That’s ridiculous but it offers a magnificent platform for Herr Klopp’s frontrunners - perm any three from five - or six if you could super-sub Divock Origi. Obviously, Manchester City have an outstanding array of talent too - at both ends of the pitch - and there is nothing between these two. I like a bet - but I wouldn’t put cash on this one.
David Anderson
Man City. Although Liverpool have the greater momentum, City have the easier run-in.
City’s only awkward fixture, apart from the obvious showdown with Liverpool at the Etihad on April 10, is away at West Ham. Liverpool have got to go to Newcastle and have home games against Manchester United and Tottenham, plus a Merseyside derby against an Everton side fighting for their lives. It just feels like Liverpool have to win every games, including the Etihad showdown. City also have the greater know-how when it comes to winning titles and have won three of the last four Premier Leagues.
Dave Armitage
Liverpool. The race now hinges almost entirely on the meeting of these two sides on Sunday, April 10. City have home advantage but take Klopp’s men to bag all three points and go on to keep their noses in front.
Only one point separates these two now after City looked like absolutely cruising it and that could prove massive psychologically. City may well be left regretting not getting in a big name striker because when it comes to firepower Liverpool blow them out of the water.
Simon Bird
Liverpool. They may be three points behind now, but Klopp’s side have superior firepower up front, having already scored seven goals more than City. Win their head-to-head in Manchester next month, and Liverpool will go on a remarkable win streak.
Mike Walters
Liverpool. The Quadruple is out of the question for Liverpool. But if the Kop win the title, watch Manchester City summon the willpower to land a maiden Champions League triumph. Conversely, if the title remains at the Etihad, I would expect Liverpool to land their seventh European Cup by way of 'consolation.'
Jeremy Cross
Liverpool. Manchester City have Pep Guardiola and the pedigree, but Liverpool have one trophy tucked away already in the shape of the Carabao Cup and all the momentum and confidence following nine straight league wins.
City's lead was once 14 points, but it's now just one and all the pressure is on the defending champions not to throw away a title once in their grasp. Liverpool have little to lose and know the outcome is now in their own hands. These two teams have set new standards we never thought we'd ever see and it's a shame one of them will finish second, but I tip Liverpool just to edge it.
James Nursey
Man City. Pep Guardiola is on course to clinch back to back titles in my opinion. His side top the table by a point and have an easier run in. The only top six club left to play is Liverpool who they host at the Etihad on April 10 which will clearly be a decisive day.
I suspect City could even afford to draw that game and still finish as champions but they will want the win to take a major step to the title. Jurgen Klopp's squad is smaller and could be stretched more as both clubs also go for glory in the Champions League and FA Cup, where they will meet in the semi-finals. Klopp has done a heck of a job this season after winning the League Cup but I can't see him lifting the title too.
David McDonnell
Man City. I think Manchester City will beat Liverpool to the title. They look to have the easier run-in after the two of them meet at the Etihad on April 10.
City's one-point lead could ultimately prove crucial, as there is every chance the game between them – which has been billed as a title decider - could end in a draw, just as it did when they played at Anfield earlier in the season. Liverpool go to City knowing they must win to keep the title race in their hands, while if City win to open up a four-point lead, I think that would prove too much for Jurgen Klopp's side to claw back.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the Premier League? Let us know in the comments section
John Cross
Man City. I do think Liverpool have got momentum and it'll be one hell of a race... but I just think City will rediscover their mojo and nick it again.
We really need to start appreciating this as one of the all time great rivalries in English football, never mind the Premier League era. Pep Guardiola has taken City to new heights, Jurgen Klopp has responded and it's a thrilling race this season. It's up there with the best rivalries of any era simply because both managers are geniuses.
Andy Dunn
Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s team is on a formidable run of form and the Liverpool manager is blessed with an array of attacking options that will see them win at the Etihad and remain faultless for the rest of the season.
Darren Lewis
Liverpool. The momentum appears to be with them in a race of fine margins. True, the international break could have come at the wrong time for them and the right time for City. The truth, too, is that either side would be worthy winners, such has been their supreme quality all over the pitch. I just go for Liverpool to continue their winning streak.
Chris McKenna
Liverpool. Liverpool now have the momentum behind then and I think they’ll will go to City and win later this month to put them in pole position.
Tony Banks
Man City. City will hold on despite Liverpool's surge. But that game between the two at the Etihad on April 10th will be crucial.
Simon Mullock
Man City. The meeting between City and Liverpool at the Etihad will be decisive - and Jurgen Klopp no longer seems to be Pep Guardiola's bogeyman. Liverpool have beaten City just once in their last eight meetings and were lucky to get a point from the meeting between the two teams at Anfield in October. I think City will win the game and go on to retain the title - but it will go to the wire.
