OPTA’S supercomputer has revealed how Arsenal and Manchester City could not be closer in their epic Premier League title race after a controversial weekend.
The Gunners were left fuming after being denied all three points against Brentford on Saturday because VAR failed to spot an offside.
Arsenal are currently edging Man City in the title raceRex
Twitter @OptaAnalystThis is Opta’s latest Premier League predictions[/caption]
Bees star Christian Norgaard was in an offside position when he crossed for Ivan Toney to equalise.
The PGMOL contacted Arsenal over the incident to explain what led to the mistake – VAR Lee Mason had failed to draw the lines to check if Norgaard was offside.
It is not the first time poor officiating has cost Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and they could be more than two points clear at the top of the league if correct decisions had been made.
However, they could stretch their advantage to five points if they can overcome second-placed Man City, who beat Aston Villa 3-1 yesterday, on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Emirates showdown, Opta‘s Premier League season predictions have the two teams within 0.01 per cent chance of one another to win the 2022-23 title.
And Arsenal are just edging it at present with 48.90 per cent compared to City’s 48.89 per cent.
However, the stats also show that the current leaders also have a 43.10 per cent chance of finishing second, which is greater than City’s 42.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, fresh from their 2-0 win at Leeds, Manchester United appear on course to seal third spot with 62.5 per cent.
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That is way above Newcastle’s 11 per cent, although they remain faves for fourth with 33.5 per cent as fifth-placed Tottenham only have 19.4 per cent.
Down at the bottom, and managerless Southampton look to finish bottom, according to the stats.
They have a 46.2 per cent of keeping that position, while Bournemouth (28.6 per cent) look nailed on for 19th as Everton (22.7 per cent) appear to be heading to end the campaign in the drop zone in 17th.