Going to the wire: In the closest title race for years Sportsmail's experts predict how the top four will look in May

PUBLISHED: 06:34 EST, 17 March 2014 | UPDATED: 12:47 EST, 17 March 2014

 

The title race is reaching a thrilling climax with Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all still in the hunt for the Barclays Premier League crown.

City and Chelsea will be using recent experience to help them get over the line, while Arsenal and Liverpool have to go back a bit further to remember what winning the league feels like.

Our experts give their views on how the top four teams will be placed after the final matches on May 11.

NEIL ASHTON

1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 4 Arsenal

As impressive as Liverpool's win at United was, they haven't got the experience of the home straight in a title race. It would be magnificent for the game if Liverpool could pull it off and Steven Gerrard will be straining every sinew to make it happen, it will be just too much.

Chelsea have the manager and experience to cope with the intensity of the run-in.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch latest post-match reactions from the title-chasing managers

As it stands: The Premier League top four

As it stands: The Premier League top four

Been there before: Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to win the Premier League with Chelsea

Been there before: Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to win the Premier League with Chelsea

MATT LAWTON

1 Chelsea 2 Manchester City 3 Liverpool 4 Arsenal

It really is impossible to call right now. The best title race in years. Liverpool are the form team but Jose Mourinho is a serial league winner and something just tells me he's going to bag another one.

On course for glory: Chelsea currently lead the Premier League despite their weekend slip-up

On course for glory: Chelsea currently lead the Premier League despite their weekend slip-up

MATT BARLOW

1 Manchester City 2 Chelsea 3 Liverpool 4 Arsenal.

I'm backing City's squad power to see them through. It is their only remaining competition and weary limbs can be refreshed to overcome a daunting set of away fixtures. Also expect Mourinho's know-how to keep Chelsea close, although the mindless red card for Ramires won't help.

Been there, done that: City won the title two years ago, can they repeat the feat?

Been there, done that: City won the title two years ago, can they repeat the feat?

LEE CLAYTON

1 Chelsea  2 Man City 3 Arsenal 4 Liverpool.

Jose has been there, won it, seen it and sulked it. He might be morphing back into Lord Voldermort, but can Brendan Rodgers really deliver a Harry Potter-like magical ending? I wish he could. But I'm afraid it's Chelsea for me, especially as they're done with teams in claret and blue now. 

Eden Project: Can Hazard help Chelsea win the Premier League again?

Eden Project: Can Hazard help Chelsea win the Premier League again?

CHELSEA'S REMAINING FIXTURES

March 22: Arsenal (H)
March 29: Crystal Palace (A)
April 5: Stoke (H)
April 13: Swansea (A)
April 20: Sunderland (H)
April 27: Liverpool (A)
May 3: Norwich (H)
May 11: Cardiff (A)


P30 W20 D6 L4 Pts 66

LIVERPOOL'S REMAINING FIXTURES

March 22: Cardiff (A)
March 26: Sunderland (H)
March 30: Tottenham (H)
April 6: West Ham (A)
April 13: Manchester City (H)
April 20: Norwich (A)
April 27: Chelsea (H)
May 3: Crystal Palace (A)
May 11: Newcastle (H)

P29 W19 D5 L5 Pts 62

ARSENAL'S REMAINING FIXTURES

March 22: Chelsea (A)
March 25: Swansea (H)
March 29: Man City (H)
April 6: Everton (A)
April 15: West Ham (H)
April 19: Hull City (A)
April 28: Newcastle (H)
May 3: West Brom (H)
May 11: Norwich (A)



P29 W19 D5 L5 Pts 62

MAN CITY'S REMAINING FIXTURES

March 22: Fulham (H)
March 25: Man United (A)
March 29: Arsenal (A)
April 5: Southampton (H)
April 13: Liverpool (A)
April 16: Sunderland (H)
April 21: West Brom (H)
April 27: Crystal Palace (A)
May 3: Everton (A)
May 7: Aston Villa (H)
May 11: West Ham (H)

P27 W19 D3 L5 Pts 60


COLIN YOUNG

1 Chelsea 2 Manchester City 3 Liverpool 4 Arsenal

The difference between the top four is Jose Mourinho. Been here, seen it, done it, the Chelsea manager has the expertise to guide his team over the line, to go to Anfield and win, or certainly not lose, and apply the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini and Brendan Rodgers when they are least expecting. If Sergio Aguero was fully fit, the title would be returning to the Etihad. Liverpool still look vulnerable at the back, for all their electrifying brilliance going forward which will keep them in the hunt.

Late winner: Sergio Aguero won the title two years ago, but his fitness could give Chelsea an advantage

Late winner: Sergio Aguero won the title two years ago, but his fitness could give Chelsea an advantage

SAMI MOKBEL

1 Chelsea 2 Man City 3 Liverpool 4 Arsenal 

Momentum will be key going into the final few games of the season. At the moment Liverpool have that, but I think the Jose Mourinho factor will see Chelsea win the race. Just. 

Seen it all before: John Terry has guided Chelsea to titles in the past

Seen it all before: John Terry has guided Chelsea to titles in the past

SIMON CASS

1 Liverpool 2 Chelsea 3 Man City 4  Arsenal 

It's simply a case of the momentum being with Liverpool and I fancy them to beat both Chelsea and City at Anfield.

Making the difference: Luis Suarez has been Liverpool's star man this season

Making the difference: Luis Suarez has been Liverpool's star man this season

MARK ALFORD

1 Arsenal 2 Man City 3 Chelsea 4 Liverpool 

I’ve been writing them off all season and they’ve defied my ‘expertise’ at every turn, so I’m going for Arsenal. A big result at Chelsea on Saturday will kick them on. I’ve been surprised by their resilience in the absence of Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the new Gazza – with oodles more pace. If Arsene Wenger plays him centrally, Arsenal will scare defences and win games. My heart says Liverpool – what a story that would be. My head says City – they still have the best squad but Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are out at a vital time. But my hunch is Arsenal. There, I’ve said it. Cue humble pie.   

Kings of north London: Arsenal won at Spurs to keep their title dreams alive

Kings of north London: Arsenal won at Spurs to keep their title dreams alive

JACK GAUGHAN

1 Manchester City 2 Chelsea 3 Liverpool 4 Arsenal  

There may well be serious questions surrounding Manchester City in a wider sense but, simply put, Manuel Pellegrini has the best squad in the Premier League. The best squad invariably wins the league. They have always been electric going forward but there is a steel to this side too. Even Martin Demichelis looked a competent centre half on Saturday. Come away with something from Arsenal and Liverpool and the title is theirs. 

Little master: David Silva helped 10-man City to an important win at Hull on Saturday

Little master: David Silva helped 10-man City to an important win at Hull on Saturday

MIKE ANSTEAD

1 Liverpool 2 Chelsea 3 Man City 4 Arsenal

When Liverpool hammered Arsenal 5-1 on February 8, you sensed a change in their confidence. They have a devastating combination of form, finishing and flair. Those games with Chelsea and City at a noisy Anfield are crucial. Oh, and Kolo Toure has been wisely ditched.

Kop kings: Liverpool have mounted a serious challenge this season

Kop kings: Liverpool have mounted a serious challenge this season

P.S.

This is a final table predicted by Bloomberg Sports. The analytics company have used seasons' worth of data and complex algorithms to predict the final standings of the current campaign.

They have factored in the importance of new players and, look at defensive and attacking stats such as tackles, interceptions, pass completion and shooting accuracy.

The final standings are all based on the most likely outcomes.

Predicted Premier League table

 

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This article proves how much DM hates Arsenal. All but two people said Arsenal will finish in 4th. I don't give a damn, because I believe in Arsenal and they will make all us Gooners proud in the end.

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The same punters were claiming Liverpool to be a mid table finish at the beginning of the season if I were any of the managers in the top four I would be worried very worried in Brendan we trust YNWA

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@Return of the Egg aka Scotchy of Eggdom>>>>>5 out of 6 predict Arsenal will finish 4th placing and you must be SADDEST Gooner...." I am HAPPY if Arsenal finished 3rd placing this season. It is an 'IMPROVEMENT'(where were you when Arsenal finished 3rd in 2011-2012?)'......So you should pray hard that Mark Alford's prediction comes through and you'll be not HAPPY but HAPPIEST Gooner cos it exceeds your pre-season's expectation.

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Good to see you guys trusting in us but it's gonna be tough. If we win against AFC on Saturday and don't loose at Anfield later on, I think we can do it but at the moment City still have a better chance cos they have three games in hand. Would be really nice if we win the title this season but we need a little miracle to achieve that. Anyway we'll fight till the end as we are the FAMOUS CFC!

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LOL at those that think Liverpool will win it. Its a two horse race between Chelsea and City. I reckon City will win it by a couple of points - get your mortgage on it!

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Better get ready to have lose your house mate. Y.N.W.A

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thrilling,going to the wire.....but just don't say its the best league in the world,because its miles behind La Liga. and the Bundesliga.

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The Bayernsliga, you mean!. And La Liga is a three-horse race for the first time in years!

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Aha aha

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But Chelsea aren't IN the Title Race!!!!!. Mourinho said so. And what Mourinho says, journalists MUST take as gospel!

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Everyone here is wrong. This comment will get red thumbed all night but here it is. Arsenal will drop 5 points during the remainder of the season and win the league. Go on......red thumb me!!!!!!

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I keep on wondering why many goners insisted on smoking that stuff they bought at the Emirates 1st before posting their opinions....

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They never learn, its going to be tough playing those teams fighting for their lives, they are gonna kick, fight and tackle you....rugby tackle. Did anyone see the Sunderland and Crystal Palace game? I don't think i saw 3 passes strung together once. We LFC have shown alot of fight against these type of teams, not only to blitz them and take their will but also fight out victories like AT Stoke and at Fulham. I am very confident in LFC, since losing to CFC and MCFC back to back over x mas, 10 games, 8 wins, 2 draws. In that time we played Arsenal, EFC, United and S'ton...scoring 15 goals and conceding 1. 2 on the road, 2 at home. I feel Chelsea has the fxture advantage, but they having it hard to score. City fixtures are hard. Not only do they have a fixture pile up....they also have EFC, Arsenal and LFC away from home...they havent been all that great lately being honest. AFC will surprise. LFC is the only one not having trouble scoring and we have just kept two cleansheets

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Pleased to see arsenal 4th in these predictions. The reason? We were 6th/7th in most of them at the start if the season. Sports writers appear to be the least knowledge bunch in sport

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