Was having a discussion at work as to who are City's biggest threat for the title this season. Naturally Arsenal was the general consensus, but I just wanted to break down the runners and see what everyone else thinks?
Arsenal- at this moment in time our biggest threat, still above us and playing good football with confidence and swagger. Not sure how the world cup break will affect their momentum and also, after the new year when the games are coming thick and fast, have they got the squad and mentality to last the pace? Time will tell.
Spurs- duller than dishwater but annoyingly seem to grind out results. Contenders for top 4 but don't see them challenging (God forbid)
Newcastle- getting better quicker than people thought they would and winning the games they would be expected to win. Once again, not sure how the world cup break will affect them but very impressed so far.
Man U- going in the right direction with a coach who seems to know what he is doing. Not playing with the style and panache of the United teams of old, but finally looking like they have purpose and holding their own against the other big boys (apart from the first hour against us). Think they are good for top 4
Chelsea- difficult one to call. Started well under GP then capitulated at Brighton, still think they will be challenging for top 4 but don't see them as a title threat just now
Liverpool- I think if there is one team that is crying out for the world cup to start then it's Liverpool. All over the place at the minute, beating us then losing to relegation fodder twice in a week. Capable of going on a run so wouldn't rule them out just yet, but they have a mountain to climb.
Title Rivals
posted on 2/11/22
Hard one to call with the weird two part season. City have a knack of hitting form after Christmas, but who knows how teams will come back this year.
posted on 2/11/22
Arsenal have to be the main discussion, but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.
Personally, I think Spurs are probably the other team to be included.
It's a fascinating season behind City though.
posted on 2/11/22
I've reached the conclusion that we are your biggest threat, but in reality I think we will fall short at the business end and battle Spurs for 2nd place.
posted on 2/11/22
but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.
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Perfection from them for the rest of the season gives them 94 points. Even that may not be enough, but they do not look like a team who will win 26 games from 26. I think it is safe to rule Liverpool out of the title race.
posted on 2/11/22
Spurs have barely got going this season. Just when it looked like we might start picking up the performance levels, we got injuries to key players and the backup is looking shaky, while the first XI look a bit exhausted.
A couple of home games to get through before the WC, so if we can get 4-6 points from them we're there or thereabouts, going into the break.
Most of the first team going to the WC, most notable missing out is Kulusevski and Bissouma but other than that most others involved.
posted on 2/11/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 5 minutes ago
but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.
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Perfection from them for the rest of the season gives them 94 points. Even that may not be enough, but they do not look like a team who will win 26 games from 26. I think it is safe to rule Liverpool out of the title race.
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They're 7 behind Spurs, 5 behind Chelsea - less than a third of the way into the season... they could very quickly overhaul those two (and United) with a good run.
Of course it's unlikely - City are that good.
But it's not inconceivable that Liverpool go on a good run that gets them above the teams listed and then it really depends on Arsenal's form as to whether they move into second.
posted on 2/11/22
Overhauling Chelsea and Spurs is all well and good, but this is about who will challenge City for the title, and I can say with great confidence Liverpool will not get close to City.
posted on 2/11/22
Well, it's who will get closest...
I'm not convinced even the closest will be close
posted on 2/11/22
I think City will win it comfortably in the end.
Arsenal are doing very well and fair play to them. You can only beat what's in front of you but they haven't had the most difficult fixtures so far. Maybe if they go to The Bridge on Sunday and win I'll start to think differently. I think they are the only hope of someone challenging City though.
Spurs I think will grind out enough results against the lesser sides to be top 4 challengers but I'd shocked if they are in the title mix.
Newcastle as the OP has stated have improved quicker than expected but I would expect there will be rough patch for them.
Chelsea. They are ok but that's about it. Potter has done ok but I expect them to be similar to last season.
United are improving. In fact we actually have identical results to City over the last 10 games. If a miracle happens and Martial and Varane can stay fit for the rest of the season after the WC then who knows but it's very unlikely. There's still too many games where we are just getting by.
Liverpool are still capable of going on a run if they get the injured players back and they stay fit but the gap is too big for them to be title contenders imo.
posted on 2/11/22
Arsenal must be delighted that they’re being written of like Leicester were 6 years ago.