Gloomy Man City predictions can help Pep Guardiola catch Arsenal and Liverpool

Gloomy Man City predictions can help Pep Guardiola catch Arsenal and Liverpool

Manchester City are kicking off their Premier League campaign next month in the unfamiliar position of being third favourites

Pep Guardiola

For the first time since 2020, Manchester City are not starting a Premier League campaign as champions. And in what feels like the first time in forever, they are not starting it as favourites to be champions.

Liverpool take top spot with most bookies and Pep Guardiola's side are not even seen as having the second-best chance with Arsenal edging ahead of them instead. Obviously, those predictions aren't always right but it is a good indicator of where the experts - and fans who place money on the winners before the season has started - expect the title to go next May.

‌

In the regular debate about whether City have found again the quality and spirit that saw them win four league titles in a row, it appears that the public need more convincing before they are ready to back the Blues over Liverpool and Arsenal. And if that is the popular mood, it will be the feeling in plenty of Premier League dressing rooms.

‌

City lost their aura last season and the feeling that opponents had to be perfect to beat them. Instead of kicking games off praying that they got through it, more and more grew bolder against a side that wilted under pressure.

That makes the Blues more vulnerable, but it may also take some of the pressure off them. Guardiola has spoken many times about the difficulties of expectations that they will win 5-0 every week and wrap the Premier League title up four months early every year - and then there is the kudos of beating the champions.

"We won six in seven - we conquered the Premier League. But we start from zero. There are 114 points to play for," he said at the beginning of last season.

Article continues below

"When people say we are favourites, we have to accept it and live with that. Every season is more and more difficult. Everyone wants to beat us - that is normal."

For one season at least, that mantle passes to Liverpool with Arne Slot's side the bigger scalp now that they have dethroned City. Over at the Emirates, Arsenal have spent big again to try and finally get Mikel Arteta and his side over the line in the Premier League race after they struggled to cope with the pace last year.

Teams will still want to beat City because of what they have achieved in the past, but their newfound reputation for being vulnerable on transitions and in transition as a squad may give them one less issue to deal with as they set out to right the wrongs of last season and reclaim their title as English champions.

‌

Kevin de Bruyne - special edition ON SALE NOW Kevin de Bruyne is one of - if not the - greatest players to play for Manchester City. He leaves the club having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a memorable Champions League victory! To mark his amazing time at the Etihad Stadium, this special edition has been produced - KDB The King - to celebrate Kev's career with the Blues. We look back at his 10 best games in Blue, celebrate his title wins and hear from the City boss and a host of team-mates and football elite who give their views on what makes him so special. CLICK HERE TO BUY

---

Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.

Article continues below

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.

Click here to read article