Liverpool currently holds a 12-point lead and requires just 16 points in their next nine matches to secure the Premier League title, outpacing Arsenal. The immediate fixtures will be crucial, as both teams face weaker opponents, but Arsenal also has the challenge of two Champions League matches against Real Madrid. April will feature all top seven teams facing clubs outside their ranks, setting the stage for a critical month. Ultimately, it seems likely that five Premier League teams will qualify for the Champions League as England leads UEFA rankings.
Liverpool's 12-point lead means they need a maximum of 16 points from their nine games to put themselves out of Arsenal's reach and secure the title.
Even beyond those games the sides have comparable fixtures this month; neither will play a current top-half team but Arsenal also has two Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid.
This looks like being a curious month in the race for European qualification, with every one of the 34 fixtures scheduled to be played by teams currently in the Premier League's top seven.
When it is all over it looks increasingly likely that the top five teams will qualify for the Champions League, with England in pole position to snaffle one of the two bonus places offered by Uefa.
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