Premier League title run-in: Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City remaining fixtures

A look at the final hurdles in the race for the Premier League crown

A view of the Premier League trophy (GETTY IMAGES)

The Premier League title race has taken yet another twist after Liverpool failed to find a way past the 'two buses' parked by Chelsea.

With the Reds seemingly on an unstoppable charge to their first league title since 1990, the 2-0 win for the Blues at Anfield now means the initiative in the battle for the Premier League crown has swung to Manchester City.

There are just a handful of games to go - but judging by the season so far, more twists and turns should not come as a surprise.

So here, we take a look at the games remaining for the three teams battling for the title and see where the slip up may come and where the title can be won...

Everton v Manchester City - Sat 3 May - 5.30pm

The first of the seven matches remaining involving the top three sides will arguably be the most pivotal of them all. Manchester City have three games remaining, but their first one is the only one away from home and sees them take on easily the toughest opponents of the lot. Ironically, those tough opponents are Liverpool's great local rivals Everton.

Manuel Pellegrini (right) looks on from the touchline during Manchester City's 3-1 win over Roberto Martinez's (left) Everton (GETTY IMAGES)

The Toffees have slipped up in the race for fourth in recent fixtures - losing to both Crystal Palace and Southampton. However, victory over City will keep their hopes of Champions League football next season alive. There have been suggestions that Everton fans might rather lose this game than help Liverpool in the bid for the title. Roberto Martinez should have serious concerns if his players look at it the same way.

City should be wary that Everton have won the last four meetings between the sides at Goodison Park. The match-up between the teams earlier this season ended 3-1 in City's favour.

Chelsea v Norwich - Sun 4 May - 4pm

Chelsea play the following day and it appears a straight forward assignment for the Blues - although that's what they thought before they played (and lost) against Sunderland.

Norwich will come to Stamford Bridge as desperate as Sunderland were. The Canaries have slipped into the relegation places and with Arsenal in their final game, they need points from somewhere. Might that find them at Chelsea? They haven't beaten the Blues since 1994 and lost 3-1 when they played earlier this season.

Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Mon 5 May - 8pm

If results go in favour of their rivals, the side many thought were destined for the title before the Chelsea game could be third in the table by the time this Monday night fixture comes around.

Tony Pulis (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City may have overcome Tony Pulis' side at the weekend, but a trip to Selhurst Park is still a daunting one in light of the way the Eagles are finishing the season. That Palace are now safe should work in Liverpool's favour with the home side having little to play for. Brendan Rodgers will hope for a repeat of the result earlier this season in which Liverpool won 3-1. They took a familiar early lead in that match with all three goals for the home side going in inside 38 minutes.

Manchester City v Aston Villa - Wed 7 May - 7.45pm

City finally get round to playing their game in hand just four days out from the final day of the season. Aston Villa at home appears a straight forward task but the magnitude of the result could make the Etihad a nervy place to be.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert (Getty Images)

Aston Villa have shown they can beat the best on their day, recently surprising Chelsea. They can also claim City among their scalps after beating them 3-2 at Villa Park back in September. The Villains are not free of the fear of relegation either and will still be eager to pick up some points.

FINAL DAY OF THE SEASON...

Cardiff v Chelsea - Sun 11 May - 3pm

The final day of the 2013/14 campaign will see Chelsea as the only team among the title contenders playing away. They go to the capital of Wales where they will meet yet another team battling for survival.

A recent upturn in form for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side has given them hope in their fight against relegation - which is not good news for Chelsea. Cardiff will be desperate for three points. When they met earlier this season Chelsea comfortably won 4-1. At least if Chelsea make it to the Champions League final, they should be capable of putting it to the back of their mind - the showpiece in Lisbon doesn't take place until May 24.

Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has slowly developed a thousand-yard stare this season (Getty Images)

Manchester City v West Ham - Sun 11 May - 3pm

The Hammers are practically safe already, so against a team with one eye on their summer holidays, it should be a straight forward three points for City. However, QPR looked easy enough opponents back in 2012 before Edin Dzeko and Sergio Agueeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooo were needed in the last few minutes of the season. City have made light work of West Ham in recent years, winning the last four and not losing in their last nine meetings. When they met in the Capital One Cup semi-finals earlier this year, City won 9-0 on aggregate.

Will last minute heroics from Aguero be needed again?

Liverpool v Newcastle - Sun 11 May - 3pm

Should City slip, Liverpool will still likely be needing maximum points on the final day. Opponents Newcastle provide a fitting finale if the Reds have to secure a result to win the title. Over the years these two sides have played out some of the greatest games in Premier League history. The 4-3 win for Liverpool in a midweek meeting in 1996 was arguably the best top-flight game of all-time as defending took a back seat to doubles from Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore and goals from Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla. It was a match that hugely dented Newcastle's hopes of winning the league that year - but could they get their revenge in this match? It was a typically entertaining game earlier this season with the score ending 2-2.