After success over the last few years, Manchester City are looking to become the first team to win the English top-flight title for four consecutive seasons.
Historically, the likes of Huddersfield Town, Liverpool and Manchester United have also won three on the bounce, yet all know that this feat is massively ambitious and challenging. City know they’ll have to overcome some serious contenders if they’re to break new ground and claim a fourth league title on the spin.
City Still The Team To Beat
Despite winning a famous treble last season, the hunger still seems to be there for Pep Guardiola’s squad. The Cityzens are currently priced as the 3/9 favourites in the Premier League winner odds to finish top of the pile again this season.
A recent 6-1 win over Bournemouth, who are priced at 8/5 in the Premier League relegation odds, helped City climb to the top of the table after 11 games. It was another example of the attacking talent at Guardiola’s disposal, even after a summer that saw players move on to pastures new.
City saw the likes of Riyad Mahrez and İlkay Gündoğan call time on their successful spells in Manchester. Both players played important roles in landing the treble last season but Guardiola’s side have managed well since their departures.
Even with a lengthy injury for star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne at the start of this campaign, City still look to be the side to beat again this season.
A Challenge From The Capital
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were the closest challengers to Guardiola’s side last season but, despite having an eight-point lead at one stage, still fell short of claiming the title. After a big summer of recruitment at the Emirates, Arsenal look like they’re challengers again this term.
The Gunners aren’t the only side in north London with high aspirations, with arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur making good early pace this season. New manager Ange Postecoglou has made a positive start since leaving Scottish champions Celtic over the summer, but the question is whether Spurs can maintain their early-season form into the business end of the campaign.
One side that does know what it takes to overcome Guardiola’s City is Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp’s Reds were underwhelming last season but look to be back to more like their former selves this term. Losing just one of their first 11 games of the league campaign, Liverpool have hit the ground running this term. A side blessed with a host of attacking options and a defence that seems to have pulled its act together, it would be little surprise to see the Reds in the mix come the end of the season.
City made history with their treble-winning campaign in 2022/23 and have the chance to write a new exclusive chapter in English football history if they can lift the Premier League trophy this season. However, there are clubs in London and on Merseyside who will be doing all they can to deny City that landmark league title.
