The 2021/22 Premier League title race is no nearer to being decided following the latest round of fixtures in England’s top flight.
Manchester City retained their place at the top of the table with a 4-0 win at Leeds United, while Liverpool triumphed 1-0 at Newcastle United.
The results left City one point ahead of the Reds with four games remaining and they are the bookies’ favourites to get the job done over the coming weeks.
The best betting sites rate City as 4/9 shots to claim top spot for the fourth time in five years and it is difficult to argue with that assessment.
Pep Guardiola ’s side had little difficulty adding another three points to their tally with a dominant display at Elland Road.
Liverpool's lunchtime victory over Newcastle saw them briefly move ahead of City, but the reigning champions were in no mood to let things stay that way.
City brushed Leeds aside with contemptuous ease with Rodri, Nathan Ake, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho all on the scoresheet.
Given their current form, it is difficult to see where City are likely to drop any points between now and the end of the season.
They are back in action in the Premier League next Sunday when Newcastle visit the Etihad Stadium.
While the Magpies have improved over the past few months, the way Liverpool eased past them suggests City will have no problem doing the same on home turf.
Trips to Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United in the space of five days will probably be the key to City’s title bid.
However, Wolves were brushed aside by Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, while West Ham’s Europa League exertions appear to be taking their toll.
If City safely navigate those three fixtures, they should have little difficulty wrapping up the title when they host Aston Villa on the final weekend.
While Villa have improved slightly since Steven Gerrard took over as manager, the upsurge has not been as dramatic as many people predicted.
Liverpool’s run-in looks marginally more difficult, with their upcoming home game against Tottenham Hotspur undoubtedly a potential banana skin.
Spurs are still in the running to qualify for the Champions League and manager Antonio Conte is certain to have his team fired up for this game.
A subsequent visit to Villa should hold little fear for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but their final away game at Southampton could be problematic.
The Saints are inconsistent, but recently defeated Arsenal 1-0 at St Mary’s and could make life difficult for the Reds.
Liverpool’s last home game against Wolves is a banker bet to yield three points, but it may not be enough to secure top spot at the end of the season.
Having won the Premier League in three of the last four seasons, City know what it takes to get the job done as the title race reaches boiling point.
Guardiola rested Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez against Leeds and still saw his team run out comfortable winners.
While Liverpool have shown no signs of faltering, their slightly tougher run-in just about gives City the edge in what is a thrilling battle.
