Who will be crowned Premier League champions - Manchester City or Liverpool?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 May 2022

The Sports Mole team discuss whether Manchester City will win a fourth league title in five years, or whether Liverpool could pip them to the post on the final day.

An enthralling 2021-22 Premier League campaign comes to an end on Sunday, with the 30th season of the competition earning its place among some of the very best.

Even with 370 of the 380 matches played, there is still plenty to be decided on the final day too, perhaps most significantly which team will lift the trophy.

Manchester City go into the final day in pole position, sitting one point clear of Liverpool and knowing that victory at home to Aston Villa would finally clinch a fourth crown in the last five years.

Liverpool have pushed them all the way, though, and any slip-up from Pep Guardiola's men would open the door for Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasing side to pass them at the final hurdle.

Here, the Sport Mole team discuss who they believe will be crowned champions on Sunday.

Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates scoring against Southampton on May 17, 2022 © Reuters

Barney Corkhill, Editor

VERDICT: Manchester City

Liverpool fans and players will dare to dream heading into the final day, and the fact that it is Steven Gerrard's Villa side coming up against Man City may raise hope - however fanciful - that their legendary ex-captain can pull off one final miracle for the club.

It is a fairytale storyline, but not one which most Liverpool fans will be expecting to come true. Man City are firm favourites to win against Villa, and they have not shown many signs in recent years of buckling under the pressure, at least domestically.

Man City's record against Villa is formidable - nine wins from the last 10 meetings and 11 home wins on the bounce - while their final-day record under Guardiola is faultless, proof that even with nothing to fight for, the Spaniard does not let his side drop their standards.

Add to that the fact that Liverpool arguably have the tougher match on paper, particularly with the thought of a Champions League final next Saturday in the back of their minds, and the Reds are probably more likely to drop points than Man City.

Strange things can happen on the final day, and logic can be thrown out of the window in such high-pressure situations, but it is hard to see past Man City lifting the trophy again on Sunday, as they did in a similar final-day scenario three years ago.

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates with Raheem Sterling after scoring their fourth goal to complete his hat-trick on April 23, 2022 © Reuters

Matt Law, Football Editor

VERDICT: Manchester City

I am fully expecting both Manchester City and Liverpool to win on the final day, so Pep Guardiola's side are set to be named champions once again. Aston Villa are capable of making it difficult for the Citizens, but Steven Gerrard's side have lost 10 of their 18 away league games this season.

Reaching 92 points and failing to win the title would be very tough for Liverpool to take, but Man City have just managed to keep their noses in front, and they should have enough to claim the title on the final day despite intense pressure from the Reds.

Liverpool are still on for all four trophies this season, so it would be a disaster for Man City to lose the league from this position. I am not expecting much drama in terms of the title race, though, with Guardiola's side potentially scoring early against Villa to take the pressure off.

Oliver Thomas, Reporter

VERDICT: Manchester City

Manchester City's objective is simple – win against Aston Villa and they will be crowned champions for the fourth time in five seasons. Their opponents, however, will not make life easy and the evident Liverpool connections Villa have with Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings make the contest at the Etihad all the more intriguing.

Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola has won all six of his previous games against Villa, and his City side should do enough to secure another three points on Sunday to clinch the title.

Liverpool's midweek selection in the victory at Southampton suggests that they will name a much stronger side at Anfield, but even if they do win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, I feel that their quadruple hopes will be quashed by a positive result for City at the Etihad.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds the fans after the match on May 15, 2022 © Reuters

Joel Lefevre, Reporter

VERDICT: Manchester City

I do not see a situation where Man City are not Premier League champions on Sunday. Aston Villa will not be an easy opponent with a number of former Liverpool players, so it is an interesting storyline that Steven Gerrard could help deliver the title to Merseyside after he could not win it with The Reds as a player.

The Sky Blues, however, are mentally strong and have been in must-win situations for over a month and have not blinked in spite of all the pressure
Liverpool have thrown at them. They have also won a couple of Premier League titles on the final day - the dramatic victory versus QPR and winning the league on the final day in 2019.

This is a resilient team who will get the job done like they have virtually the entire season.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates on April 26, 2022 © Reuters

Marvelous Adepoju, Reporter

VERDICT: Manchester City

Manchester City head into the final day with their destiny in their own hands, knowing that a win would guarantee them a fourth league title in five years.

While the likes of Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho will be looking to do their old club a huge favour, I expect Pep Guardiola's men to get the job done and be crowned champions at the sound of the final whistle.