Premier League title race: How it stands and remaining fixtures

All you need to know as Arsenal and Man City lead the race for the 2025/26 Premier League title

The Premier League title race is incredibly close, with Arsenal three points ahead at the top with four fixtures remaining but having played an extra match than Manchester City.

Going into last weekend, the top two were level on matches, points and goal difference for only the second time this late in a season in Premier League history, after 1998/99.

Arsenal now lead after a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United on a weekend where Man City did not have a Premier League match because they were in FA Cup action, reaching the final after beating Southampton 2-1.

Arsenal could go six points clear when they host Fulham on Saturday before Man City have a chance to reclaim top spot with two matches before Arsenal play again: a visit to Everton on 4 May before hosting Brentford five days later.

How are the champions decided?

If both clubs win all of their remaining league matches, they would finish level on points.

In that scenario, the Rule C.17 of the Premier League Handbook says the final table placings would be determined by the following criteria, in this order:

• goal difference

• goals scored

• points won in head-to-head matches

• away goals scored in head-to-head matches

• a play-off match

The goal difference is very close. Arsenal have scored 64 goals and conceded 26, so their goal difference is +38. Man City's is +37. If it comes down to goals scored across the season, City are two ahead, with 66 compared with Arsenal's 64.

If the clubs finish level on points, goal difference AND goals scored, on the next criterion, points won in head-to-head matches, Man City would claim the title because they have won four points across the two head-to-head matches against Arsenal this season thanks to a win and a draw.

If this were to happen, that would make it the closest Premier League title race EVER! The previous closest was in 2011/12, when City edged Manchester United on goal difference thanks to Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day.

While fighting for the title, Arsenal are also in the Uefa Champions League semi-finals, with two matches against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in Spain and Tuesday 5 May at home.

Man City have the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 16 May, which means that their Premier League trip to AFC Bournemouth has moved to 19 May.