How Manchester City and Liverpool could be involved in historic Premier League ‘Play-Off’ to seal title
The title race is careering towards a dramatic conclusion after another season filled with drama.Liverpool and Manchester City remain locked at the top after 36 games, with just a single point separating the two sides.Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola want to get their hands on the Premier League trophy3
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola want to get their hands on the Premier League trophy
In any other season, Jurgen Klopp’s men would have surely been crowned champions having hit 91 points with two games remaining.But Pep Guardiola’s slick yet steely side have swatted away all comers in their bid to retain the title.However, with neither side seemingly relenting, it does beg the question; what happens if they finish exactly equal after 38 games?There are several scenarios where that could happen – and fans would be treated to a one-off title play-off at a neutral venue to decide the champions. Below, talkSPORT.com explains just what needs to happen in order for this to become a reality.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE LEVEL ON POINTS?

If teams finish level on points, then they will be separated by goal difference. But if they are also level on that, then goals scored is the decider.If they are still level and in the battle for the title, a final relegation place or European spot, then a play-off is needed.City want to cling onto their title3
City want to cling onto their title
Unlike other competitions there is no head-to-head rule – so Premier League rules state ‘the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board’.

SO HOW COULD IT HAPPEN IN THIS INSTANCE?

For a title play-off to happen, the types of results mentioned below are needed, along with a goal difference swing of four towards Liverpool and a certain amount of goals scored. However, the order of the results below do not matter.
  • A Liverpool draw and Manchester City defeat, as well as both sides having the same type of result (win, lose or draw) in their other game.
  • A Liverpool win and defeat and two Manchester City draws.
Liverpool win 5-0 and lose 2-1 AND Man City draw both games 0-0Liverpool win 4-0 and draw 3-3 AND Man City win 1-0 and lose 1-0Liverpool draw both games 3-3 AND Man City draw 0-0 and lose 4-0Liverpool draw 3-3 and lose 4-3 AND Man City lose 3-0 and lose 2-0*similar scores as above could also produce a play-off – if City and Liverpool both score and concede an identical amount of goals on top of the above scorelines without changing any of the results (eg in the top scenario Liverpool winning 6-1 and losing 2-1 and Man City drawing 1-1 and 0-0)The ticket fans could have used in 1996 had a Premier League play-off been required3
The ticket fans could have used in 1996 had a Premier League play-off been required
This has never happened before in Premier League history, although contingency plans were put in place in 1996.With Newcastle United and Manchester United locked at the top of the table, the Premier League booked two dates and even printed tickets for a potential Wembley play-off between Kevin Keegan and Sir Alex Ferguson’s sides.
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