- Man City are six points behind Arsenal
- City have two games in hand
- BBC’s MOTD pundits have been sharing their views
Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have been sharing their opinions on who will win this year’s Premier League title race between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Six points separate the top two sides ahead of City’s trip to Everton tonight. However, the Carabao Cup winners have two games in hand.
Pep Guardiola’s side also face Crystal Palace on Wednesday, 13 May, and can keep the pressure on Arsenal if they beat Everton.
With the title race as tight as it has been in years, pundits have been arguing over who will emerge victorious, including the MOTD hosts Shearer and Richards.
Micah Richards backs Manchester City to win the title
Speaking on Match of the Day, former City defender Micah Richards backed his old team to take maximum points from their remaining games.
The 2012 Premier League winner said he expected the title to be decided on goal difference, just as it was when he won it on the final day thanks to Sergio Aguero’s famous late strike.
Richards said: “Both teams will win all of their games! I’m thinking of 2012, we did it on goal difference. I think Man City will do it on goal difference again.”
Alan Shearer says Arsenal will get over the line
Meanwhile, Richards’ fellow pundit, former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, believed it would be Arsenal who edged the title race.
The Premier League’s record goal scorer highlighted the returning Bukayo Saka as a crucial factor in helping the Gunners to a first title in 23 years.
Alan Shearer is backing Arsenal. Micah Richards believes Man City will shade it 🏆
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 3, 2026
Who do you think will win the Premier League title, with three weeks until the final games of the season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/oaRXrzKvnq
Shearer said: “I just think the belief that [the Fulham win] will give Arsenal and the return of Saka and what he gives to the team in terms of balls into the box and energy [will win them the title]. I’m saying Arsenal.”
However, while he thinks Arsenal will win the title, Shearer backs City to beat Everton on Monday night, and expects them to do the job against the Toffees.
No margin for error on Merseyside for Man City
Last month, Erling Haaland said the Arsenal game was ‘like a final‘. But despite winning that game, City still trail the Gunners by six points as it stands.
The reality is that every game is now a cup final for both of the two title rivals. Any mistake or slip-up could be catastrophic at this stage, and both City and Arsenal will know they simply must win every game from now onwards.
This year’s title race is likely to be decided by the tiniest of margins, so taking maximum points against Everton is absolutely essential.
