How Manchester City and Arsenal could face Premier League title play-off match

• Points
• Goal difference
• Goals scored
• Points won in head-to-head games
• Away goals scored in head-to-head games

As explained by BBC Sport, should Arsenal and Manchester City end equal on all of the above, the Premier League title will be decided by a play-off match. However, that decider can only be reached if Sunday’s match ends 1-1 – the same result as at Emirates Stadium in September.

A 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium would leave the two clubs with the same head-to-head record, as well as away goals scored in the matches against each other.

The report also points out that the other tie-breakers, as things currently stand, are extremely tight, with Arsenal three goals better off on goal difference, while City have scored 63 goals to Mikel Arteta’s side’s 62 goals.

In the extremely rare eventuality that a play-off match be required at the end of the season, the contest would take place at a neutral ground, with the format and timing of the affair to be determined by the Premier League board.

The prospect of a neutral-ground play-off would be a first in Premier League history, potentially taking place at Wembley Stadium just days after the final scheduled matchday.

For Arsenal, the focus remains on regaining their defensive stability after the Bournemouth slip-up, especially with an injury crisis surrounding Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka threatening to derail momentum.

For Manchester City, the mission is simpler in that by winning on Sunday, they could put the title back in their own hands. However, should the tactical battle between Pep Guardiola and his former protégé end in another stalemate, Arsenal’s belief will certainly grow.

With Manchester City still to navigate a tricky trip to Burnley and an FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, the physical and mental demands of these final six weeks will determine if this unprecedented play-off scenario becomes a reality.