Man City or Arsenal? Premier League title race's "banana skins" assessed as Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta battle for first

Manchester City and Arsenal are likely to win their remaining Premier League games, former pro Paul Dickov exclusively told Sports Mole.

The top-flight of English football will resume this weekend, with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal set to face Newcastle United on Saturday, though they enter the clash in second place behind Man City.

Both the Gunners and City have 70 points, as well as a goal difference of 37, and the fact the two teams are so close in the table is sure to set up a tense final five matchweeks.

Former Arsenal and Citizens attacker Paul Dickov exclusively told Sports Mole that he believes both teams will win their remaining games, saying: "I don’t think there’s any banana skins. I feel that if both teams perform the way that they can, they’ll win all their games.

"I just think both teams are a level above everybody else in the Premier League this year. If they perform the way they can do, I can genuinely see both teams winning every single game."

City will play in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend, meaning Arsenal could move three points ahead of them if they beat Newcastle.

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Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's fixtures assessed

Manchester City arguably have the more difficult fixture schedule, with the club set to face Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in the league, while a game against Crystal Palace does not yet have a confirmed date.

Three of those clashes will be played at home, but there are some concerns about the club's upcoming three games in particular.

However, Dickov insisted that the most difficult match left for City is Aston Villa on the final day of the season, telling Sports Mole: "City have got some tough games on paper. Villa on the last day of the season could be pivotal.

"A lot of people are looking at Everton away as a tough one, but Everton’s home record isn’t great. It’s not the same fortress as Goodison Park has been in previous years, but that’s a really tough place to go. Bournemouth are absolutely flying at the minute, so that’s going to be tough too."

The season will end on May 24, but it should be noted that Villa could be competing in a Europa League final on May 20, and that could impact their preparations for the City game.

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Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's final fixtures assessed

Newcastle at home on paper is a difficult game for Arsenal, but the Toon will arrive at the Emirates having lost five of their last seven league matches.

Arteta's side will then play Fulham at home, West Ham United away, Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away to finish the season.

Dickov expressed his view that while Arsenal will likely win their games, they may have to grind out results, when he told Sports Mole: "Then you look at Arsenal. West Ham away - the team are still in a relegation battle.

"Crystal Palace away is never easy, but Man City showed against Burnley that while they weren’t at their best they can still pick up results.

"Arsenal have done that a lot this season, and they might have to do so again. For me, I can see both teams winning every game, and then it comes down to goal difference."

How Arsenal cope with the added pressure of the Champions League remains to be seen, and it will be challenging to balance the demands of domestic football with their European ambitions.

Paul Dickov was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of MrQ - check out our exclusive MrQ promo code here.