The Premier League is back - when can title & relegation be decided?

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring for Liverpool
Liverpool are on course to win a record-equalling 20th league title [Getty Images]

The Premier League is back after a two-week international break.

And just in case you needed a reminder of how things stand at both ends of the table we are here to get you up to speed.

At the top, Arne Slot's runaway leaders Liverpool hold a 12-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.

At the bottom, all three promoted sides - Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester - are well adrift in the relegation zone and looking as if they are destined for an immediate return to the Championship.

It feels like a matter of 'when, not if' those eventualities play out as we head into the final stretch of the season.

But when could the relegation places and title be decided?

What do Liverpool need to win the title?

Liverpool are currently on 70 points - and nearest challengers Arsenal can only reach a maximum of 85 points if they win their remaining nine matches.

The Reds therefore require 16 points from a possible 27 to clinch their second Premier League title - and record-equalling 20th overall.

Fifteen points could also be enough given Liverpool's goal difference is vastly superior to Arsenal's (currently +42 to +29).

In fact, given their goal difference supremacy, Slot's side might only need four wins- as long as one of those is against the Gunners - to secure the title.

When is the earliest Liverpool can win the title?

Arsenal beat Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in their game in hand over Liverpool before the international break.

That victory reduced Liverpool's lead at the top of the table from 15 points to 12.

But, in terms of when Slot's side can win the title, it has made little difference.

The earliest date Liverpool could win their 20th league title is 13 April, when they play West Ham at Anfield.

For that scenario to play out, Arsenal need to lose their next two matches against Fulham and Everton, with Liverpool beating Everton and Fulham in that time.

That would leave Arsenal 18 points behind Liverpool with 21 points left to play for.

A Brentford victory against Arsenal on 12 April would leave the Gunners 18 points behind with 18 points left to play for, leaving Liverpool needing a single point against the Hammers on 13 April to claim the title.

Statisticians Opta give Arsenal just a 0.8% chance of winning the title, with Liverpool given a 99.2% chance based on their position and remaining fixtures.

Liverpool's next five fixtures

Liverpool v Everton - 2 April - 20:00 BST

Fulham v Liverpool - 6 April - 14:00 BST

Liverpool v West Ham - 13 April - 14:00 BST

Leicester v Liverpool - 20 April - 16:30 BST

Liverpool v Tottenham - 27 April - 16:30 BST

Arsenal's next five fixtures

Arsenal v Fulham - 1 April - 19:45 BST

Everton v Arsenal - 5 April - 12:30 BST

Arsenal v Brentford - 12 April - 17:30 BST

Ipswich v Arsenal - 20 April - 14:00 BST

Arsenal v Crystal Palace - 26 April - 17:30 BST

What about relegation?

Wolves' 2-1 win against Southampton before the international break was a bitter blow to the bottom three.

Vitor Pereira's side are the only realistic candidates to be dragged into a relegation battle but that win took them nine points clear of safety.

Both Leicester and Ipswich still retain hope but time is running out for them to close the nine-point gap.

With 27 points left to play for, Wolves could ...

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