The Premier League title run-in: Nine steps to heaven - or one slip from despair

With just three points separating the top three in the Premier League and only nine games to go, fans of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City will be scouring the fixture list to see where their team can gain an advantage – and where others may stutter.

There have been many campaigns with iconic run-in moments that are later perceived to have been turning points in the title race.

Think Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea in 2014 that allowed Demba Ba to lead the Blues to a 2-0 victory at Anfield, handing City the title in the process. Or Vincent Kompany’s outrageous long-distance goal against Leicester in 2019 that put his side on the way to title glory just when it seemed they were about to drop points.

But where will the big moments arrive in 2024? Here we assess who has fate in their favour, and who faces the biggest hurdles on the final lap to glory… 

Liverpool 

In their favour: Two big factors are in play, here. Firstly, the fact that Liverpool are already top of the league with a two-point cushion and, of course, the Jurgen Klopp effect. The sheer emotion around his farewell season means the atmosphere at Anfield in the final four home games will be tumultuous. Good luck coping with that on the final day, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Banana skins ahead: The game that Arsenal and City fans will be watching most closely is the Merseyside derby at Goodison. Liverpool’s record there is outstanding but this is a match which could have a title and relegation on the line in the same 90 minutes. We’ve seen before how hard Everton will fight to stay up and this is the match that has the biggest potential for a huge story – and an iconic title slip-up.

Other games to consider include a trip to free-scoring Fulham just