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Manchester City and Liverpool are in the midst of an intense Premier League battle, with the two sides having played a title-deciding game of catch-up for the better half of the season.
Both sides have played 36 games in the league with Liverpool having accrued 91 points and City having gathered 92 points.
With the race set to come down to the wire, what happens if there is nothing to separate the two come May 12?
Normally, when two title-chasing teams finish the season level on points, the goal difference is used as a key to determining the winner. If they are also level on goal difference, the number of goals scored is the decider.
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If there is nothing left to separate the two teams, a playoff or playoffs would be required to determine the rightful winner.
Premier League rules dictate, "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".
Remaining schedule for Liverpool and Manchester City
League leaders Manchester City have games against Leicester City and Brighton before the end of the season. Meanwhile, second-placed Liverpool are scheduled to face Newcastle United and the Wolverhampton Wanderers for the remainder of the campaign.
Scenarios that would produce a title-deciding playoff
Liverpool win 5-0 and lose 2-1 AND Man City draw both games 0-0
Liverpool win 4-0 and draw 3-3 AND Man City win 1-0 and lose 1-0
Liverpool draw both games 3-3 AND Man City draw 0-0 and lose 4-0
Liverpool draw 3-3 and lose 4-3 AND Man City lose 3-0 and lose 2-0
Similar results to the above without any changes in the goal difference would also lead to a play-off. For instance, in the first scenario, if Liverpool scores 6-1 and Manchester City draws 1-1, it would still lead to a play-off.
What's next?
The remaining games will decide if a play-off will be needed to decide who will lift the title. If so, it will be the first time ever that the Premier League will witness a title-deciding play-off.
