See the stats that show Spurs are racing to the title, but can Man City or Man United stop them?

Tottenham's 2-0 win over Everton took them level on points with Man United in second place and confirmed that, with 18 games left to play, the Premier League title is a three-horse race, but with two of the teams making their first genuine championship challenge for decades, how will it pan out? Man United have the experience of getting over the line, but aren't as strong as they were a few years ago. Man City, meanwhile, have the financial resources to sign the very best, but have lost form of late. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has played down the Londoners' chances, but with no European football to distract them they may be at an advantage in the run-in and are the in-form team right now.

Interestingly, Spurs would be six points clear at the top based on results since the end of August…

Which team will emerge triumphant in May? talkSPORT takes a look at the key matches coming up and gives our verdict on the title's likely destination…

MAN CITY KEY GAMES
V Tottenham (H) 22 January
V Chelsea (H) 17 March
V Arsenal (A) 7 April
V Man United (H) 22 April
V Newcastle (A) 5 May

City can take comfort in the fact that challengers Tottenham and rivals Man United both have to travel to the Etihad Stadium before the season ends, but both opponents will be hoping Arsenal and surprise package Newcastle can do them a favour when Roberto Mancini's men visit the Emirates and St James' Park respectively. Before those trips, though, the club must play Porto twice in a week in the middle of February in the Europa League, unlike Tottenham, who have no European competition to distract them. Recently, cup defeats to United and Liverpool, as well as slips ups at Sunderland where they lost 1-0 and a draw at West Brom have rocked the City ship and how they respond will decide whether they have what it takes to become champions. The loss of brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure to international duty and the suspension of captain Vincent Kompany will also give Spurs, who play the league leaders at the end of January, the belief that they can come away from Manchester with at least a point.

VERDICT: MAN CITY TO PICK UP ANOTHER 42 POINTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE SEASON

MAN UNITED KEY GAMES
V Arsenal (A) 22 January
V Chelsea (A) 5 February
V Liverpool (H) 12 February
V Tottenham (A) 3 March
V Man City (A) 28 April

Two matches in February against Ajax in the Europa League are bookended by clashes with Arsenal at the Emirates, a second meeting in four games with Liverpool after their FA Cup tie, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham at White Hart Lane. In addition, United's run in sees them play top half teams Stoke at Old Trafford, Norwich away and Sunderland away on the final day of the season. Sir Alex Ferguson's side may have lost two consecutive league games at the start of the year, but it would be foolish to think that the 19-time champions will drop many more points between now and the end of the season.

VERDICT: MAN UNITED TO PICK UP ANOTHER 43 POINTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE SEASON

TOTTENHAM KEY GAMES
V Man City (A) 22 January
V Liverpool (A) 6 February
V Arsenal (A) 26 February
V Man United (H) 3 March
V Chelsea (A) 24 March

February and March are going to be difficult periods for Tottenham as they attempt to win their first league trophy since 1961. Four out of the five key games are away against teams around them and they must also play four other teams from the Premier League's top 10. Newcastle travel to White Hart Lane in February as do Stoke in March, then a trip to Sunderland's Stadium of Light in April is quickly followed by Norwich's visit. Spurs have the added advantage, too, of not playing on Thursday then Sunday, unlike their title rivals, who have Europa League campaigns to contend with.

VERDICT: TOTTENHAM TO PICK UP ANOTHER 39 POINTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE SEASON

PREDICTED FINAL TABLE

1. Man City 90 points

2. Man United 88 points

3. Tottenham 84 points

Of course, we can only speculate on how results will work out between now and the end of the season, but if the second half of this campaign is anything like the first, this could be the most exciting title race for years!

Which team do you think will win the Premier League? Have your say by commenting below…