Liverpool and Manchester City are locked in arguably the most intense Premier League battle in history with the title race looking set to come down to the wire.
Both teams have played 36 games - Jurgen Klopp has steered his side to an almighty 91 points while Pep Guardiola's men have managed to accrue 92.
The Reds are sat just one point behind the defending champions and with a negative four-goal difference - so with it being so close, what happens if there is nothing to split the two sides at the end of the season?
There are several scenarios that could see both teams finish on the same points and the same goal difference which would see a one-off title-deciding play-off game to decide who are the champions.
Of course this isn't necessarily likely because both clubs would need to drop points in one way or another but it is possible - and here's how.
What happens if two clubs finish joint on points?
If teams finish level on points they will be separated by goal difference. If they are level on goal difference, then goals scored is the decider.
If they are still level and in the battle for the title, a final relegation place or European spot, then a play-off is needed.
There is no head-to-head rule in the Premier League so the rule outlines "the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board".
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So what needs to happen in the final two games?
Liverpool travel to play Newcastle on Saturday night while City host Leicester.
The Reds are then back at Anfield on the final day to play Wolves while the Sky Blues travel to relegation-fighting Brighton.
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For a title play-off to happen, the types of results listed below are needed, along with a goal difference swing of four towards Liverpool and a certain amount of goals scored. The order of the results below do not matter.
- A Liverpool draw and Manchester City defeat, as well as both sides having the same type of result (win, lose or draw) in their other game.
- A Liverpool win and defeat and two Manchester City draws.
Scenarios that would produce a play-off
Liverpool win 5-0 and lose 2-1 AND Man City draw both games 0-0
Liverpool win 4-0 and draw 3-3 AND Man City win 1-0 and lose 1-0
Liverpool draw both games 3-3 AND Man City draw 0-0 and lose 4-0
Liverpool draw 3-3 and lose 4-3 AND Man City lose 3-0 and lose 2-0
*other scores could produce a play off if City and Liverpool both score and concede an identical amount of goals above these scores without changing any of the results (ie in the first scenario Liverpool winning 6-1 and losing 2-1 and Man City drawing 1-1 and 0-0)
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Has it ever happened before?
In short, no.
However the Premier League made plans in the 1995/96 season for Manchester United and Newcastle to play-off. They even booked out two dates at Wembley before printing tickets but in the end United won the league by four points.
In previous seasons a play-off has been a possibility going into the final day to settle Champions League or Europa League places, but it has never ended up being needed.
