Is the Premier League title race really over?

Manchester City have officially regained control of the Premier League title race, thanks in no small part to some slip-ups from their rivals, Liverpool and Arsenal. Both teams saw their title hopes take a hit with two home defeats - Liverpool against Crystal Palace and Arsenal falling to Aston Villa.

It could have hardly been a better weekend for Manchester City in the Premier League. After putting Luton to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing, they got to kick back and watch both of their Premier League title rivals drop vital points during the run-in.

In the match against Crystal Palace, Liverpool suffered an early setback which has not been uncommon for them this season. In fact, in some ways, it seems that motivates the squad to kick it into gear in the Premier League, a system which up until this point has worked out better than it would for most other clubs. After a shock defeat in the Europa League to Atalanta, backing it up with another home defeat in the Premier League was not in the cards for Jurgen Klopp and the mighty Reds.

Meanwhile, while Arsenal were watching with glee as Liverpool dropped vital points in the home stretch, it seems they too lost focus as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates. Goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins dented the hopes of Arteta's men in their aspirations for their first Premier League title in what will feel like forever for Arsenal fans.

Is the Premier League title race truly over, though? Most sportsbooks will have you thinking that's the case, but with 6 games still to be played and each of these teams still involved in European matches, there could yet be more twists and turns in the race for the title. Let's look at what some of those stumbling blocks could be:

Manchester City vs. Tottenham

Starting with Manchester City, they still need to play away to Spurs. This is a matchup that has given Pep Guardiola nightmares. For some inexplicable reason, no matter what form Spurs are in, this matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has proved incredibly difficult in the Premier League.

City did manage to beat Spurs away earlier in the season, but only in the FA Cup. No matter what you think about Spurs and their ability to cause City problems and take points off of Pep's men, I promise you City fans everywhere are wary of that matchup.

Injuries

I think this goes for any of the 3 challengers at this stage in the Premier League run-in. Liverpool have had their fair share of injury struggles throughout the season, as have Manchester City. We watched last season what the injury of William Saliba did to Arsenal's title hopes. Their defense no longer looked solid, players doubted themselves, and it seemed his injury was a catalyst for their end-of-season struggles.

Fatigue

This goes hand in hand with the injuries section from above, but worth noting as well. Again, with all 3 of Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool still in Europe and with big matches coming up, the season is starting to take its toll on the players.

City boss Pep Guardiola said in a press conference on Friday that City are in 'big, big trouble' in regards to fatigue and injuries. Rodri openly admitted after the thrilling Champions League game midweek that he needed rest, which he did get against Luton Town.

With Liverpool needing a big comeback, away to Atalanta and Arsenal needing a win away in Munich, there will be some serious tired legs, tired minds after such taxing games.

These reasons and many more mean that the Premier League title race is still far from over. What do you think, can Arsenal or Liverpool recover from the blows they took over the weekend? Will Manchester City give them a chance to do so?

Only time will tell as another twist in the tale has presented itself and shifts the narrative in this year's Premier League title race.