sport news How are Liverpool and Man City juggling the Premier League run-in?

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This could well be the tightest Premier League title race ever, with Manchester City's defence of the crown in their own hands.

City are two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand after Jurgen Klopp's side battled to a 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola is still hunting for an unprecedented quadruple but is on record as saying the league is the trophy that would mean the most to him.

Both managers are expecting to drop points from now until May 12 and neither can say they have a comfortable run-in. The baton has changed hands a number of times and that should continue.

Liverpool are desperate for a first league title in 29 years. City are desperate to become the first club in a decade to retain a crown.

Guardiola admitted he is 'praying' that none of his stars pick up injuries while away with their countries and both clubs do have key players resting instead of flying across the continent.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the next fortnight and beyond ahead of the final games of this absorbing campaign.

International break

City have a decent number of big names without any international commitments. Lionel Scaloni decided against picking Sergio Aguero for Argentina's fixtures, while the same goes for Aymeric Laporte and France. 

Both now have the chance to jet off on holiday for a few days.

There are also injuries that Guardiola expects to clear up before the champions go to Fulham on March 30. 

Two-thirds of his first-choice midfield - Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne - are a couple he hopes to have fit and ready for the run-in.

Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy are continuing with their recoveries and Nicolas Otamendi withdrew from the Argentina squad after sustaining a sprained ankle. 

England's medical staff will check on John Stones before he then returns to the North West with a groin problem. Fabian Delph pulled out on Monday morning.

Riyad Mahrez travels the furthest as Algeria play two home games against Gambia and Tunisia.

Both City and Liverpool are boosted by Brazil playing in Europe over the next week. 

Three from each club are with

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