Who will win the English Premier League (2021/22)?

[MenInG]

Manchester City have won three of the last four Premier League titles and if they have both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane on board by the time the transfer window closes, it would take a brave gambler to bet against them being champions again. But is it really quite so clear-cut as many good judges appear to believe? Especially if City's focus switches to the elusive Champions League crown.

Behind Man City, the plot thickens and the chasers go into the new campaign with realistic ambitions to knock the champions off their perch.

Chelsea beat Pep Guardiola's team in the Champions League final, and Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that Romelu Lukaku will arrive from Inter Milan to add undoubted goal power to an already gifted team. Manchester United, runners-up last season, will believe that Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane can help them win a first title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Liverpool, with a packed Anfield again and Virgil Van Dijk back, will see no reason why they can't rediscover their champagne form of two seasons ago.

It all promises to make for a fascinating season, particularly with full stadiums and new VAR directives that'll mean an end to the hated "by a toenail" offside calls and fewer soft penalties. Last season's record 125 spot kicks was almost farcical as players tumbled to the turf, seemingly with every puff of wind.

So who will win the title this year?

 

[Saj]

Man City still look the strongest squad although if Liverpool steer clear of injuries then they could run City close.

Of the others Chelsea look stronger and so do Manchester United, but it will take some effort to push City and Liverpool.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It will be between LFC, City and Chelsea. Best playing XI and proper managers.

Utd & Arsenal with Ole and Arteta will battle for 4th place.

PL is very difficult to predict, such is the level of competition.

 

[PetroDollars]

1. Man City
2. Man Utd
3. Chelsea

fourth is up for grabs, i think it will be Lesicter, who could build on last season, while LP have had a poor transfer window and VVD has looked terrible in preseason, they could be lucky to come at 5 even.

 

[Robert]

Come on you Bees!

 

[MenInG]

Have gone with Man City - just seem to have this relentless drive to win - almost do it on auto-pilot

 

[Kroll]

I'd like to see Liverpool win it again, but realistically title battle may go down between Man City and Chelsea.

 

[OldWarHorse]

Very tough to call who'll win but just feel Chelsea will carry last season's UCL win to grab the title this time. Lukaku looks a league grabbing singing.

Top 4 looks pretty clear to me. 5-8 could be intense.

My top 10:

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. United
4. Liverpool
5. Spurs
6. Leicester
7. Villa
8. Leeds
9. Arsenal
10. West Ham

 

[MenInG]

To be honest - all the usual suspects looking very very good with nice expensive players in their pockets

 

[PakLFC]

Liverpool. We need to sign a midfielder and possibly a forward before the window shuts. Only concern is when Salah and Mane will be missing for a few weeks. We need adequate replacements for them.

 

[MenInG]

So does the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo increases the chances of a Man United EPL title this season?

 

[Firebat]

After 14 games:

1. Chelsea - 33 points
2. Man City - 32 points
3. Liverpool - 31 points

This is going to be one hell of a title race.

 

[James]

After 14 games:

1. Chelsea - 33 points
2. Man City - 32 points
3. Liverpool - 31 points

This is going to be one hell of a title race.

Agree.

For some reason I fancy Liverpool, to me they just look slightly more irresistible for some reason.

It’s going to be a corker though for sure.

 

[James]

Chelsea go down to West Ham.

If Liverpool and Man City win their games this weekend, they will both go ahead of Chelsea in the table.

:-O

 

[James]

Awesome performance last night from City. Peaking at the right time. Even Liverpool might not be able to stop them.

 

[transparent opacity]

Although i would love Man United to do an upset and win the title, but it's unlikely. So, I am voting for Chelsea.

 

[Firebat]

Manchester City are a 'winning machine' - Thomas Tuchel

Manchester City are "relentless" and a "winning machine", according to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who says his team have to be realistic about their chances of catching the champions.

City are 11 points clear, with Chelsea and Liverpool meeting on Sunday.

"They know what it takes to produce these high-point seasons over and over again," said Tuchel, speaking before City's win over Arsenal on Saturday.

"We will never stop believing or pushing but we have to be realistic."

Manchester City have won 11 successive Premier League games since their defeat by Crystal Palace at the end of October.

"It is a winning machine. It is not only about having an advantage, it is making it an advantage," said Tuchel of City.

"They are good. Very good. They are relentless.

"We have to admit where we come from one year ago. When you look at 2021 [last season's league table], we are 20 points behind.

"You have to be careful that you are ambitious but not over-ambitious and do not to get frustrated by not catching Man City in the first half year."

"There is quality all over in the club [City]," said Tuchel. "Not only in the squad but with the management and how the club is run.

"They have five or six years now of consistency. That makes it hard. It doesn't make it impossible."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59847997

 

[Firebat]

Man City running away with it.

 

[James]

Slightly feels like it is all over already, but Liverpool have two games in hand on Man City, so personally I am not ready to call it yet.

 

[Firebat]

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves: Could Reds still catch reigning champions Man City?

For a while the Premier League title race has seemed a foregone conclusion, with Manchester City looking sure to pick up the trophy for the fourth time in five campaigns.

Pep Guardiola's side moved 12 points clear at the top of the table on Wednesday with a routine 2-0 victory over Brentford, but old title foes Liverpool responded on Thursday by winning 2-0 against Leicester to cut the deficit to nine points - with a game in hand.

There is real unpredictability about this Covid-hit season and Jurgen Klopp's men have the opportunity to claw back further ground should they win that game, against Leeds, on 23 February.

Assuming both teams win their two league fixtures between now and then, City's once double-digit lead would be cut to just six points.

The two teams meet at Etihad Stadium in April, offering the Reds a chance to eat into that lead even further.

It is that equation which meant the post-match interviews and analysis at Anfield on Thursday involved plenty of talk about whether an unlikely Liverpool title challenge might still be on.

"I am not sure we are in a position to get them on their toes," said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. "We have no chance to catch them but that does not mean we shall not try to play the best possible season for us.

"We have to win our football games and this football club is massive. There is a game, we put on the shirt and we have to win it. It doesn't work out all the time.

"It was really important for us to win tonight. It is not about us catching City - there are a lot of teams behind us who want to get closer. That is an important task as well."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60342524

 

[James]

Liverpool closing in on City now…

 

[PakLFC]

Defeat Leeds at home on Wednesday leaves us three points behind City. We are still to visit them in a few months time in what could be a decisive match. Whilst not belittling Spurs achievement today if they can win at the Etihad then so can we. I feel City are slight favourites but we are now breathing down their necks.

 

[shaz619]

It will be some achievement if United manage 4th/5th after their turbulent season. Will CR7 stick around though ?

 

[Saj]

Big weekend for Liverpool with City losing.

The race is back on with Liverpool having a game in hand also.

 

[PakLFC]

Liverpool have the momentum where as City do the points. I still fancy City because when they go on a winning run it's mostly a very long one

 

[Firebat]

A huge 6-0 win by Liverpool over Leeds reduces the gap to 3 points...