This season’s Premier League title race looks likely to go to the wire.
Regardless of the result in Sunday’s seismic clash between Manchester City and Arsenal — which could set us up for an unprecedented title playoff — it looks probable that both teams will still be in the hunt for the trophy as we head into May.
Arsenal hold a six-point lead at the top ahead of the latest matchday, but City still have a game in hand. Their scheduled match with Crystal Palace, initially due for the penultimate weekend of March, was postponed because of the Carabao Cup final between City and the Gunners. The result of this match, when it finally takes place, could yet have a big impact on the title battle.
The Sporting News looks at the latest on when the game will be played.
EPL TITLE RACE:
When is Man City vs. Crystal Palace?
The game between City and Palace has not yet been rescheduled. Google lists the fixture on Friday, May 22 at 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET), but the league has not confirmed a date or time.
The match was initially moved because of the Carabao Cup final on March 22, and it has been difficult to find a convenient day due to City being in the latter rounds of the FA Cup and Palace competing in the UEFA Conference League.
Possible dates for Man City vs. Crystal Palace
Palace reaching the quarterfinals of the Conference League has complicated the schedule, even though City were eliminated from Europe by Real Madrid in mid-March.
The Eagles face Fiorentina in the second leg of their matchup on April 16, and as they hold a 3-0 aggregate advantage, they are expected to go through to the semifinals. Those matches will be held on April 30 and May 7, which would rule out holding the City game in those midweeks.
The weekend of April 25-26 is not possible because City face Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals on the Saturday. If City win, they will contest the final on May 16, which also means they will have to move their scheduled league match with Bournemouth.
The likelihood is these two games would be moved to midweek slots in the weeks beginning May 11 and May 18, which is the final week of the Premier League season. However, if City lose to Southampton, the Bournemouth game will not need to be rearranged, and the Palace match could take place in the week commencing April 27 if the Eagles are knocked out of the Conference League.
Projected Man City schedule, including Crystal Palace and Bournemouth games
DateMatchCompetitionSchedule notesSunday, April 19Man City vs. ArsenalPremier League (MW33)ConfirmedWednesday, April 22Burnley vs. Man CityPremier League (MW34)ConfirmedSaturday, April 25Man City vs. SouthamptonFA Cup (semifinal)ConfirmedWednesday, April 29Man City vs. Crystal PalacePremier League (MW31)Possible date if Southampton beat City + Palace eliminated from EuropeMonday, May 4Everton vs. Man CityPremier League (MW35)ConfirmedSaturday, May 9Man City vs. BrentfordPremier League (MW36)ConfirmedWednesday, May 13Bournemouth vs. Man City
OR
Man City vs. Crystal PalacePremier League (MW37/31)Possible date if City reach FA Cup final + Palace reach Conference League semifinalsSaturday, May 16Bournemouth vs. Man CityPremier League (MW37)Confirmed date if City DO NOT reach FA Cup finalSunday, May 17Man City vs. Chelsea/LeedsFA Cup (final)Confirmed date if City reach FA Cup finalWednesday, May 20Man City vs. Crystal Palace
OR
Bournemouth vs. Man CityPremier League (MW31/37)Possible date if City reach FA Cup final + Palace reach Conference League semifinalsSunday, May 24Man City vs. Aston VillaPremier League (MW38)Confirmed