Premier League predictions: SunSport’s football experts tell us who they’re backing for the title
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Liverpool had their best shot at glory in years - but who else are the people in-the-know getting behind?
SUNSPORT columnist Alan Shearer and other football experts answer five questions on the big title race.
1: Who did you think would win the Premier League before the start of the season?
Manchester City.
2: Has your opinion changed over the past few weeks?
No, they have had a bit of a blip — but that happens to every side at some point during the season. I still think, at their best, they are better than the rest.
3: Which team has impressed you this season?
Everton, Southampton — and also Liverpool — all have.
4: Who is a potential dark horse?
I am not sure that you can really describe anyone as a dark horse. I thought it was too soon for Liverpool — but their start has been impressive. And they could maybe push harder for the title than I originally expected pre-season.
5: Who is your tip for the 1-2-3-4 places?
City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea.
Malcolm MacDonald
1: I tipped Arsenal — if they could find that goalscoring touch that had eluded them in past seasons.
2: I was at the Gunners’ goalless draw with Boro last week and it summed them up. They were so far on top, with 75 per cent possession yet almost forgot to shoot. It will be nip and tuck with Manchester City but I am going to stick with them. I think they have a glorious chance.
3: In the early stages of the season Everton impressed me. They were playing some terrific stuff, scoring lots of goals. But they haven’t been able to keep that going.
4: I’m not sure there is one. I don’t think Tottenham are looking the side they were last season. I have the feeling that Liverpool will get so far and blow up — it’s a really long nine months. It will be the people who know what the battle is, who have been there over and over again.
5: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, United.
Alan McInally
1: Chelsea. I saw the spirit Antonio Conte created in an average Italy squad at Euro 2016 and felt, if he could do the same at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would take some stopping.
2: No. Chelsea have goals in them with Oscar, Pedro, Diego Costa and Willian. Once Conte settles his best formation he’ll buy again in January and I think they’ll take some stopping.
3: Liverpool. I watched what Jurgen Klopp put together at Dortmund and can see the same signs at Anfield.
4: Southampton keep changing managers but Claude Puel has settled in nicely and Saints are flying now.
5: Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham.
Paul Walsh
1: I thought Manchester City would end up on top because of the manager and the squad at his disposal.
2: Liverpool could upset that, which would mean a wonderful title climax — but I still think Man City.
3: Liverpool are exciting. I still think they are one or two players short but I have enjoyed watching them.
4: If there is going to be a dark horse it might be Everton — although they have fallen away a bit after starting off so well. Southampton and West Ham also have to be considered.
5: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool.
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Steve Clarke
1: This won’t endear me to Chelsea fans — but Tottenham!
2: No. I think they will have learned from last season and Mauricio Pochettino has them playing well.
3: Liverpool. They have an attractive style, are very exciting to watch and play good, attacking football. Jurgen Klopp has them playing on the front foot and they entertain fans.
4: Chelsea. They finished mid-table last season but could come from nowhere. Antonio Conte has found a way of playing which suits them and have a good, experience squad.
5: Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool.
Nigel Clough
1: Manchester City were my original tip because of the Guardiola factor plus the club's enormous spending power.
2: It's beginning to because it's turning into such a good contest. Liverpool and Arsenal have got to come into the reckoning because of their starts to the season.
3: Liverpool have been superb. Jurgen Klopp has brought something different to their game, but it works and they they are a joy to watch.
4: I believe Tottenham have the best chance of breaking through from the pack. They have an excellent manager in Pochettino, play good football, and they came agonisingly close to winning it last season.
5: 1 - Manchester City. 2 - Liverpool. 3 - Arsenal. 4 - Tottenham.
David Pleat
1: Manchester City because they have a very good squad with a good manager who brought in some excellent signings like Leroy Sane.
2: No my opinion hasn’t changed. If any team wants to win it they have to beat City. It could be Arsenal, it could be anybody but they have to do better than City.
3: There is a mood for Liverpool with their lack of European competition. They have very good forward players who are very creative and score goals and Arsenal have been very strong as we expected.
4: I can’t really see there being a dark horse but if there is going to be one perhaps it will be Everton.
5: Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea
Liam Rosenior
1: Man City. I’m a Man Utd fan but with Pep Guardiola going to City, it had to be them. He’s an outstanding coach and gets his teams to play with an identity. He does that really, really quickly. The players he has there suits the way he plays.
2: Not at all. I think they’ll go on to win it. Every team takes time when they get a new manager in. I didn’t think they would go on to win the first seven-eight games which puts them in a strong position. They’re the team to beat with the best squad and possibly the best manager.
3: Liverpool. The way Jurgen Klopp plays is exciting to watch, high tempo and suits English football. The fact that they don’t have European competition this year means they can recover as players to play this high intensity. That’s why they are going to be such a strong team this year.
4: It’s so tight, I don’t think you can call any a dark horse. If I had to say one, it would be Liverpool. Tottenham were in the title race, so it’s disrespectful to call them a dark horse.
5: Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Man Utd.
Phil Brown
1: Man City. Pep Guardiola probably thought early on that he was going to walk away with it after his start, but there was always going to be sticky spells. You have to see the quality of coach come out - we’ve seen it in other countries and now he’s with the big boys in terms of coaches, teams and players who all seem to be coming to the party this year.
2: No. Who replaces Sergio Aguero (if he gets injured) is a question mark and if it’s just Kelechi Iheanacho, I don’t think that’s good enough. But Man City have the got the biggest capabilities to strengthen in January. If they can bring in a few big hitters then, then I think they will still go on to win the title.
3: Which team has impressed you this season?
Spurs. I like the way Mauricio Pochettino works. He’s a good character, a good person and he has time for people. Out of the chasing pack, they’ve made the most progress over the last year or two.
4: Who is a potential dark horse?
Southampton. Their philosophy comes through in every team that represents them. They’re not littered with great players but their philosophy stands out. They’ve been catching teams out with the way they play.
5: Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal