Premier League title race 2026/27: Ranking the contenders’ final five fixtures
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United will all hope to be in the title hunt next spring, but the fixture list suggests some clubs have been handed a much kinder finish than others
With the Premier League 2026/27 fixture list now confirmed, attention inevitably turns to the title race and the final weeks of the campaign, where the difficulty of each contender’s final fixtures could prove decisive. Title races are often decided by momentum, injuries and fine margins, but the schedule can also play a significant role.
Last campaign, Arsenal came out on top of Manchester City in the end-of-season run-in, holding their nerve and winning their final league fixtures after having lost to Pep Guardiola’s men in a game many thought had swayed the title in City’s favour. The Gunners had a very kind run-in, facing Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley at home, as well as West Ham United and Crystal Palace away, that eventually helped them get over the line.
Looking at the final five Premier League gameweeks this time around for the title candidates – Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United – there are clear differences in the difficulty of each run-in.
Premier League title contenders’ final five fixtures
Arsenal
Champions Arsenal’s run-in begins with a North London derby against Tottenham on the weekend of May 1 that could have major implications in the title race, with the remainder of the Gunners’ schedule being mixed. Leeds away could be awkward if the Yorkshire club are fighting for survival, while Everton away is traditionally one of the more difficult trips in English football. Brighton on the final day is also far from ideal given the Seagulls’ ability to frustrate top sides.
Liverpool
Liverpool appear to have been handed the toughest run-in of all. The Reds face Chelsea and Manchester City in their first two matches of the final five-game stretch, with the trip to the Etihad on the weekend of May 8 standing out as a potential title decider. Brentford and Brighton are both capable of causing problems for elite sides, while Bournemouth have developed into a difficult opponent in recent seasons.
Manchester City
Manchester City’s schedule is considerably kinder than Liverpool’s, although it is not without danger. The clash with Liverpool could prove decisive in the Premier League title race, while Aston Villa may still be battling for European qualification when they visit the Etihad on the weekend of May 23. However, Brentford at home, Ipswich away and Sunderland away all look manageable on paper for a team of City’s quality.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s final five fixtures contain successive away trips to Liverpool and Tottenham that will test the Blues’ credentials, particularly if both clubs are still competing for major objectives. However, the schedule becomes more favourable thereafter, with Everton and Brentford at Stamford Bridge and a trip to Bournemouth in between.
Manchester United
Manchester United have arguably emerged as the biggest winners from the fixture computer. The trip to Tottenham is the only fixture that immediately stands out as a major challenge. Bournemouth away can be tricky, while Leeds may provide a hostile atmosphere if they are still battling near the bottom of the table, but Coventry and Fulham are matches United would fully expect to win if they are competing at the top end of the table. On paper, no contender has a more favourable finish.
Which title contender has the hardest and easiest run-in?
Toughest run-in: Liverpool
Liverpool’s final five fixtures include matches against Chelsea, Manchester City, Brentford and Brighton. No other title contender faces such a concentration of difficult opponents in the final weeks.
Easiest run-in: Manchester United
The Red Devils avoid all of the established title challengers and face only one fellow member of the traditional “Big Six” in their final five matches, making their run-in arguably the easiest among the potential title contenders.
