For a whole host of reasons, the 20/21 Premier League titles race is an anomaly, with a wealth of teams still in with a shout of finishing top of the pile.
Here we take a look at the serious contenders, some of whom already have a Premier League title under their belts and others who are hoping to pop their title cherry. Which team do you think has what it takes to go all the way?
Tottenham Hotspur – Can Kane and Son Make It Happen?
Anyone who is taking part in a fantasy football league this season will be able to tell you how dominant Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been for Spurs this season, not only notching goals but a bag full of assists to boot.
The upshot of this is that Jose Mourinho stands on the verge of delivering a league title for one of England’s perennial underachievers.
The worry for Spurs is that, despite having the most feared strike duo in the Premier League, they are still not stringing together good runs of results, with their famous inconsistent streak poised to dash hopes in North London once more.
Spurs have the firepower to go all the way this season, but their famed lack of consistency could ultimately let them down
Related: What Everyone Should Know About The Premier League?
Man Utd – Allowed to Find Their Feet by Faltering Rivals
Go back and watch some of the stinging early season rebukes made by television studio pundits and ex-players such as Roy Keane and Gary Neville, and you would think that by this point in the season the Red Devils would be languishing down near the relegation places.
However, thanks to some improved attacking performances of late, along with seemingly all their major title rivals slipping up on a weekly basis, and all of a sudden, the Old Trafford club are being touted by Premier League experts as being in with more than just a decent chance of wresting the league trophy from Merseyside.
But do Ole’s men really have what it takes to stay the course this season or are they flattering to deceive? Well, it certainly helps that Paul Pogba has clicked into gear, no doubt with the prospect of a big money move to PSG on the horizon, suddenly convincing him to show his World Cup-winning form of old in order to boost his transfer fee.
United’s strike force also looks more than capable, with Rashford and Martial beginning to come of age. The only doubts that linger are probably with their back line, with De Gea still prone to the occasional gaff, and Lindelöf, Maguire, and Shaw hardly setting the world alight with their performances.
When all is said and done, they may come close, but more established squads will no doubt pip them to the post this time around.
This Premier League season has been one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Can Man Utd take advantage of the chaos?
Liverpool – Injuries and Title Hangover Holding Back the Champs
It cannot be understated how much of an effort it was to drag Liverpool over the line last season, and with many players hardly getting a break over the summer months, Klopp’s squad is finally showing signs of wear and tear.
Injuries to key players like Diogo Jota and Virgil van Dijk have left Liverpool visibly vulnerable this season, but with most of their main men due to come back to full fitness soon, they should be counted on to make a good sprint finish and retain their title.
Man City – Quietly Going About Their Business
No other team in the league has the strength and depth in their squad to make up for the fact that Sergio Aguero has not bothered turning up this season.
With supreme talents like Phil Foden kept fresh for much of the festive period, Man City will be the biggest threat to Liverpool’s title defence this season.
Leicester – Foxes Who Know What It Takes
Leicester are a club renowned in their recent history for fashioning miracles, although when you have Jamie Vardy and one of the best managers in the business on your side, suddenly anything seems possible.
Outside of Man City and Liverpool, it could easily be argued that Leicester are the best equipped side to stun the footballing world all over again.
