Premier League run-in: can Leicester City hold off Arsenal?

It is safe to assume few would have earmarked this weekend as the one to decide the outcome of the Premier League. But with the top four teams in action against each other on Sunday, a lot could be finalised.

Amazingly, it is Leicester City who have the most to gain. They will still be top on Monday come what may, although defeat to Arsenal would cut their lead to just two points. Victory, on the other hand, combined with a draw between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, would leave them seven points clear with 12 games to play.

Yet no one seems sure which of the four teams chasing the title will emerge victorious.

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Leicester are marginal favourites heading into the weekend, ahead of Arsenal, with Man City third and Spurs fourth. But all that could change.

So which team has the easiest run-in - and who do the experts think will win?

Leicester City:

If the Foxes claim the title, it will be the "most remarkable" achievement of the Premier League era, says Dominic Fifield of The Guardian. Throughout the season, they have played as though there is nothing to lose. But now there very definitely is – and as the realisation sinks in, they may have to rely on other teams feeling the pressure, too. They must also pray they don't lose any key players to injury.

"Leicester can no longer portray themselves as being on a fantasy ride with nothing to lose at the end. There should now be disappointment if they do not win the title," says Phil McNulty of the BBC.

Seven of their final 12 games are at home, but away trips to Manchester United and Chelsea in the final weeks of the season could be critical.

Leicester run-in:

Sun 14 Feb: Arsenal (a)

Sat 27 Feb: Norwich (h)

Tue 1 Mar: West Brom (h)

Sat 5 Mar: Watford (a)

Mon 14 Mar: Newcastle (h)

Sat 19 Mar: Crystal Palace (a)

Sat 2 Apr: Southampton (h)

Sat 9 Apr: Sunderland (a)

Sat 16 Apr: West Ham (h)

Sat 23 Apr: Swansea (h)

Sat 30 Apr: Manchester United (a)

Sat 7 May: Everton (h)

Sun 15 May: Chelsea (a)

Arsenal:

This looked like the season Arsenal finally won the title, but things have started going awry for the Gunners and their old frailties have shown signs of returning. They currently lie third behind Spurs.

Yet the London side have shown signs of uncharacteristic resilience this season "and will surely grasp the chance to hunt down Leicester, hold off Spurs and punish Manchester City for their inconsistency", says Paul Hayward of the Daily Telegraph. "[They] need to beat Leicester, though, to justify the hope that Arsene Wenger's 12-year wait is nearly over."

They will also need to prove their mettle in the final weeks of the season. Points will not be easy to come by in away trips to Man United, Tottenham, Everton, West Ham and Man City.

Arsenal run-in:

Sun 14 Feb: Leicester (h)

Sun 28 Feb: Manchester United (a)

Wed 2 Mar: Swansea (h)

Sat 5 Mar: Tottenham (a)

Sat 12 Mar: West Brom (h)

Sat 19 Mar: Everton (a)

Sat 2 Apr: Watford (h)

Sat 9 Apr: West Ham (a)

Sat 16 Apr: Crystal Palace (h)

Sat 23 Apr: Sunderland (a)

Sat 30 Apr: Norwich (h)

Sat 7 May: Manchester City (a)

Sun 15 May: Aston Villa (h)

Manchester City:

Most City fans are already dreaming of next season and the arrival of Pep Guardiola, but current boss Manuel Pellegrini will want to win a second title with the Citizens before he leaves. However, City were torn apart by Leicester last weekend and have looked vulnerable without captain Vincent Kompany. On the plus side, Sergio Aguero is the best striker in England.

City came from behind to win their two other Premier League titles, but their run-in looks tough, notes the Daily Mirror, with games against seven top-ten teams while they are also battling in three cup competitions as well.

But never mind the fixtures, they are "the only squad who have experienced the white-heat of a title run-in before", says Jonathan Liew of the Telegraph. "Their big players - Aguero, Kompany, Toure, Sterling, Silva - all have an extra gear to find. Find it, and they will be tough to stop."

Man City run-in:

Sun 14 Feb: Tottenham (h)

Sun 28 Feb: Newcastle (a) - Postponed due to Capital One Cup final

Wed 2 Mar: Liverpool (a)

Sat 5 Mar: Aston Villa (h)

Sat 12 Mar: Norwich (a)

Sun 20 Mar: Manchester United (h)

Sat 2 Apr: Bournemouth (a)

Sat 9 Apr: West Brom (h)

Sat 16 Apr: Chelsea (a)

Sat 23 Apr: Stoke (h)

Sat 30 Apr: Southampton (a)

Sat 7 May: Arsenal (h)

Sun 15 May: Swansea (a)

Spurs:

They may be second in the table but Spurs are fourth in the betting to win the Premier League. They remain the dark horses, despite the fact they have been brilliant at times this season.

It seems counter-intuitive that those who back Leicester to win the title, despite their lack of experience, do not believe Spurs will last the course, despite their attacking prowess and rock-solid defence.

Perhaps the reason is a tricky run-in. They face trips to Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea plus home games against Arsenal and Man United. "Add in tough away days at West Ham, Stoke and Newcastle and Spurs have their work cut out to lift their first title since 1961," says the Mirror.

Andy Hunter of the Guardian is one of the few pundits to back them. "Spurs have momentum and, like Leicester, a clearly-defined approach that most players appear to buy into," he says. "Crucially, they possess one of the most astute managers in the Premier League."

Spurs run-in:

Sun 14 Feb: Manchester City (a)

Sun 28 Feb: Swansea (h)

Wed 2 Mar: West Ham (a)

Sat 5 Mar: Arsenal (h)

Sat 12 Mar: Aston Villa (a)

Sat 19 Mar: Bournemouth (h)

Sat 2 Apr: Liverpool (a)

Sat 9 Apr: Manchester United (h)

Sat 16 Apr: Stoke (a)

Sat 23 Apr: West Brom (h)

Sat 30 Apr: Chelsea (a)