Manchester City: Despite only finishing fourth, City had the best squad in the Premier League last time out and have strengthened it further with the acquisitions of Nolito and Ilkay Gundogan this summer. Pep Guardiola is one of the world’s leading managers and will take the club to another level in the next few years.
• RICHARD JOLLY, ENGLISH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Manchester City: Based partly on Guardiola’s brilliant record, the sense of unfulfilled potential in the squad and that even when underachieving they still came fourth, plus winning a trophy and reaching the Champions League semi-finals. They have so much talent that there is scope to get better under a high-class coach.
• ANDY MITTEN, EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Manchester United: United will improve on last season, but I don’t see a standout side this year. It’ll be a tough league to win, with sides more level. The new television deal means the smaller clubs no longer need to sell their best players.
• THOMAS WOODS, SPORTS EDITOR
Manchester United: Jose Mourinho has made impressive signings and has the tactical experience to help United take points away from their encounters with title rivals. In what could be a four or five-horse title race, the Special One will be the difference.
• GRAHAM CAYGILL, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Manchester United: Excellent defensively for much of last season, and no reason that should not continue. Add the new signings and the Mourinho factor and they have a great chance of a first title since 2013.
• STEVE LUCKINGS, SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola, the best manager in the world, is in charge of an already world-class squad with money to spend. Enough said.
• JOHN MCAULEY, STAFF REPORTER
Chelsea : Antonio Conte, a rebounding Eden Hazard, a squad still stacked with talent despite last season’s farce, money to spend on an elite-level striker, no European football. Oh, and N’Golo Kante. N’Golo. Kante.
• STEPHEN NELMES, WEB EDITOR
Manchester City: Guardiola will be an instant success, taking advantage of a fairly open race. The signings look solid and good value for money. Tottenham will challenge again, United rebuilding and Arsenal settling for fourth.
• JON TURNER, SPORTS WEB EDITOR
Chelsea: Last season’s disaster makes it easy to underestimate how talented a squad Chelsea have. New manager Antonio Conte should adapt comfortably to the Premier League, and the lack of European football will only work in their favour, just as it did for Leicester.
• JONATHAN RAYMOND, SPORTS WEB EDITOR
Tottenham Hotspur: Finished third last season with a young group of top talent who should improve as they continue to grow together and who will have learnt from last season’s missteps at the end. They’ve got just enough window before the Guardiolas and Mourinhos and Contes start shaping their new clubs into superpowers.
SOURCE: http://m.thenational.ae/sport/english-premier-league/predictions-who-will-win-the-premier-league-in-201617-city-united-chelsea-spurs
