Which Teams will be Manchester City’s Main Competition in the Premier League this Season?
Manchester City have won the Premier League title four years in a row and in six of the last seven campaigns. Pep Guardiola’s expensively assembled squad will almost certainly be in contention for the top prizes once again this coming season.
Having let a number of fringe squad players leave the club this summer, and bringing in young Brazilian Savinho, the majority of City’s treble-winning squad of a couple of years ago remains intact.
But who are the teams that will be the most likely to stop the Citizens making it five Premier League titles in a row?
Let’s take a look at some of the contenders.
City’s Main Rivals for the Premier League Title?
Arsenal – managed by Mikel Arteta – 2.87
City’s main rivals over the past two years, Mikel Arteta has been building his squad this summer. Riccardo Calafiori has arrived, David Raya made his loan from Brentford permanent and Jurrien Timber will be like a new signing having missed all of last season through injury. The Gunners look certain to be City’s main challengers once again this season.
Liverpool – managed by Arne Slot – 8.00
Liverpool are transitioning from the Klopp era to the Slot era. There will be teething troubles, but pre-season form has been good. However, with no new faces coming in, it does feel like Liverpool have stagnated a little compared to their rivals. Unless the Reds make a couple of significant moves in the transfer market, it is hard to see them being a main rival to City next season.
Manchester United – managed by Erik Ten Hag – 23.00
Erik Ten Hag was given a new contract and a vote of confidence by the board this summer after United’s FA Cup Final victory over Manchester City. They have spent money on Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, while Jadon Sancho has been brought back into the fold. United should improve on last season but they still look well short of being able to challenge City.
Newcastle United – managed by Eddie Howe – 29.00
After Champions League qualification a couple of seasons back, Newcastle had a poorer season last time out and the pressure is on Eddie Howe to get back into that top four contention. Signings like Lloyd Kelly and Lewis Hall have been solid rather than spectacular and concerns about FFP rules may mean they struggle to match City’s pace at the top of the table.
Tottenham Hotspur – managed by Ange Postecoglou – 34.00
Spurs struggled towards the end of last season after making a great start to the campaign. Young signings Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are definitely ones for the future but unlikely to give Spurs that additional quality they need to be real challengers with the top teams.
Chelsea – managed by Enzo Maresca – 21.00
Much will depend on how well Maresca adapts to live at Chelsea. A hugely talented, and expensive squad should be challenging with City, but they have looked well off the pace of that in the past few years. The early weeks of the season will be crucial to set the tone for this team.
Aston Villa – managed by Unai Emery – 51.00
Surprise contenders in fourth last season. Unai Emery’s team have lost key midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus and despite signing a number of players, they may find the extra games demanding and they lack the quality in depth to maintain that kind of challenge this season.
For comparison, City’s current odds with bet365 Sport to win the Premier League are 2.10.
