Manchester City missed the chance to cut the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to two points after suffering a 1-0 loss away at Tottenham on Sunday.
Arsenal had fallen to a 1-0 defeat to Everton on Saturday but still retain their five-point advantage with a game in hand thanks to City’s result. It adds extra significance to their clash against the Blues at the Emirates on February 15.
Should both sides win their next Premier League matches, a win for Arsenal over City would see the Gunners stretch their lead to eight points with a game in hand. The pair are yet to meet in the league this season after October’s clash was postponed.
READ MORE: Man City charged by Premier League with breaching dozens of financial rules
Their FA Cup clash last month saw City walk away with a 1-0 win. But City are now having to also look over their shoulder in the league table with rivals Manchester United now just three points behind.
Here are City’s next six Premier League games compared to their rivals’.
Man City - 2nd (45pts)
Aston Villa (H) - February 12
Arsenal (A) - February 15
Nottingham Forest (A) - February 18
Bournemouth (A) - February 25
Newcastle United (H) - March 4
Crystal Palace (A) - March 11
Verdict: The standout clash sees City travel to Arsenal before another crunch meeting with Newcastle three weeks later. However, the story leading up to City’s next clash at home against Aston Villa will be the dozens of charges brought against them by the Premier League in regards to accusations of financial irregularities.
Arsenal - 1st (50pts)
Brentford (H) - February 11
Manchester City (H) - February 15
Aston Villa (A) - February 18
Leicester City (A) - February 25
Bournemouth (H) - March 4
Fulham (A) - March 12
Manchester United - 3rd (42pts)
Leeds United (A) - February 12
Leicester City (H) - February 19
Brentford (H) - February 26
Liverpool (A) - March 5
Southampton (H) - March 11
Brighton (A) - March 19
Newcastle United - 4th (40pts)
Bournemouth (A) - February 11
Liverpool (H) - February 18
Brighton (H) - February 25
Manchester City (A) - March 4
Wolves (H) - March 12
Nottingham Forest (A) - March 17
Tottenham Hotspur - 5th (39pts)
Leicester City (A) - February 11
West Ham (H) - February 19
Chelsea (H) - February 26
Wolves (A) - March 4
Nottingham Forest (H) - March 11
Southampton (A) - March 18
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