Play-off pending? How draw at Etihad could set up thrilling finale

It's squeaky bum time in the Premier League title race. The phrase coined by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to describe the tension of the run-in could not be more apt this season. Leaders Arsenal travel to second-placed Manchester City in a monumental meeting on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST) aiming to extend their six-point advantage at the summit.

But, after Mikel Arteta's Gunners suffered a shock home loss to Bournemouth and City fully capitalised with a statement win against Chelsea , City could claw back their deficit from nine points to just three in the space of a week. The Etihad Stadium encounter may go a long way to deciding the destination of the trophy in May - but will it keep alive the prospect of a play-off? Man City smell blood - why Arsenal should fear title rivals Arsenal had the opportunity to pile huge pressure on City by beating the Cherries to go 12 points clear with only six games remaining.

Instead, they find themselves looking over their shoulder at the relentless challenge of Pep Guardiola's men, who have lost only one of their past 19 league games. If Arsenal avoid defeat on Sunday they are certain to keep hold of top spot by the time they next play in the league, against Newcastle on Sunday, 25 April. However, defeat at City would mean the Blues could have overtaken them by then, as they travel to relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday.

City also have a game in hand, against Crystal Palace , with a date for that re-arranged fixture yet to be confirmed by the Premier League. The run-in to the end of the season is - on paper - in Arsenal 's favour, but anything can happen at this point of the campaign. After Sunday, the Gunners' five remaining games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.