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Premier League title decider: What if Leicester, Arsenal or Tottenham were tied?

By Patrick Surlis

Friday 4 March 2016 11:18, UK

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How will sides which finish level on points be separated?

In one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory, the race for the Premier League title is heating up.

There's sure to be plenty of twists and turns to come, and even now the top four will be separated by just seven points if Man City win their game in hand.

So what would happen if the likes of Leicester, Tottenham, City, and Arsenal finished the season on the same points, goal difference and goals scored at the top of the league?

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (R) with Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City (L) celebrates scoring the third goal with team m
Image: Jamie Vardy and his Leicester team-mates lead the way in the Premier League

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It's a far-fetched thought, but according to the Premier League rulebook, if clubs can't be separated, the title will go down to "deciding league matches" played on neutral grounds. 

As the rulebook states: "If at the end of the season either the league champions or the clubs to be relegated or the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, 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."
Kieran Gibbs equalises for Arsenal against Tottenham
Image: Arsenal and Tottenham will hope to boost their title chances on Saturday
The title run-in
The title run-in

Tottenham, Leicester, Arsenal and Man City run-ins analysed

The odds suggest the prospect of a play-off match remains extremely unlikely, but in this season's topsy-turvy campaign, it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

With 10 games to go (11 for City), the top four are within 11 goals of each other in the goal difference column, with Arsenal, City and Leicester all within four.

The quartet's goals scored totals are close too, with Leicester (51), Tottenham (49) and City (48), all just clear of Arsenal (44). It couldn't happen, could it?

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Image: SSN HQ looks at some of the unusual ways games have been decided

Premier League table as it stands

P GS GD PTS
1. Leicester 28 51 20 57
2. Tottenham 28 49 27 54
3. Arsenal 28 44 16 51
4. Man City 27 48 17 47
5. Man Utd 28 37 11 47

If it did, one of the potential issues would be finding a time to fit the extra match(es) in before Euro 2016. The Premier League season finishes on May 15, but there's very few available dates before the start of the tournament on June 10.

The Europa League final is on May 18, the FA Cup final is three days later, and there's international friendlies scheduled for week commencing May 23 and May 30. In between that, there's the Champions League final on May 28.

Key dates

PL season finishes May 15
Europa League final May 18
FA Cup final May 21
International friendlies W/C May 23
Champions League final May 28
International friendlies W/C May 30
Euro 2016 kick-off June 10

And it's not just the title race that could be decided in this way. Relegation and European qualification could also be determined by a one-off game if two or more teams share the same points, goal difference and goals scored.

It's a improbable scenario, but then again, who thought Leicester would be top of the league in March?

How would you want the Premier League title to be decided? Leave a comment on skysports.com or tweet us @SkyFootball… 

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