Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage have made their Premier League top-four predictions, with both former players backing Chelsea to lift the title this campaign.
Manchester City won their third title in four seasons last year, finishing 12 points ahead of bitter rivals Manchester United and 17 points clear of Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who play the Reds this weekend, appear to face more competition for the title this campaign, with Chelsea thriving under Thomas Tuchel, Liverpool buoyed by the return of some first-team players and United enjoying a superb summer transfer window.
City have already dropped five points this campaign – losing to Spurs on the opening day and drawing against Southampton two weeks ago – and both Sutton and Savage are ‘worried’ for City after they failed to sign a new striker.
The Premier League champions attempted to sign Harry Kane but Spurs held firm, leaving Guardiola short as he attempts to win another title and the Champions League for the first time at City.
‘Do you know what? Before the start of the season, before a ball was kicked, I was thinking Manchester City [would win the title],’ Sutton told the UMM YouTube channel.
‘But that was if they signed Harry Kane, and they didn’t. I’m going to go for Chelsea, mainly because of [summer signing Romelu] Lukaku.
‘At this moment in time Chelsea’s defence looks so solid, they have goals in their team, you look at their attacking players…
‘I’m going for Chelsea. I worry about Manchester City not signing Harry Kane, I think they will regret that and they could finish third because of it. Liverpool are the runners-up for me.’
Savage added: ‘Before the start of the season, I would have gone Chelsea, Man City, Man United and Liverpool, in that order.
‘I’m still going for Chelsea to win it because their squad is unbelievable and the Romelu Lukaku signing. ‘If Man City would have got Kane, I would’ve gone for them but they didn’t. I’ve got them second.
‘I went for Manchester United in third but I’d change that to Liverpool now. [Virgil] Van Dijk is like a new signing, the same for [Joe] Gomez, they’ve got all their players back. ‘I think Liverpool with Van Dijk will finish third ahead of Manchester United.’
