With the festive period over, the push towards the business end of the Premier League season is gathering pace.
Reigning champions Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have all shown their title credentials and the trio are threatening to pull away from the rest of the chasing pack to set up what could be a thrilling title race this season.
City Have Been There And Done It
Having won the Premier League title for the last three seasons, there is no doubting Manchester City know how to get over the line to claim the English crown. The Cityzens are the 4/7 favourites in the betting on football to secure what would be a landmark fourth consecutive top-flight English title. Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have also claimed the league title in three consecutive years but City have the opportunity to break new ground this season.
There were questions on whether manager Pep Guardiola and his squad would be ready to go again after what was an outstanding campaign last term. Winning the Premier League, FA Cup and a first Champions League title, City added their name to the history books as one of the most successful teams in a single season. Having that hunger to go again is not easy, especially with the loss of experienced figures in İlkay Gündoğan and Riyad Mahrez bringing uncertainty on where this City side would be at this season. However, after a tricky spell towards the end of 2023, the Cityzens have started to find their rhythm. Ominous signs for their title rivals.
Determined To End City Domination
Liverpool endured a season to forget last term but the Reds have come back stronger this time around. Manager Jürgen Klopp has already confirmed this will be his last campaign with Liverpool and an emotional farewell will be due at the end of the season. Klopp’s players will be looking to send the German tactician out on the highest high, which they could certainly do with the quality possessed in their ranks. Resolving their issues in defence from last term, many of this squad know what it takes to win the league and they look set to push City all the way for the crown.
Arsenal were the closest rivals to the Cityzens last season but just fell away in the crucial final few weeks of the campaign. It will have been a tough experience for manager Mikel Arteta and his side but one they will have learnt plenty from. Judging by their first half of the season, it seems like there has been little hangover from the experience but the Gunners are ready to be in the mix once again. Whether they can hold their nerve when the pressure is on in the final few weeks of the season remains to be seen.
It’s all building up to be an exciting run-in to the Premier League season and City, the Reds and the Gunners could all be in the mix going into those final games.
