The Premier League title race for 2021/22 promises to be one of the closest-fought for years, with Liverpool and Chelsea looking to topple Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side stormed to the top of the league at Christmas as they look to defend the title they won back last season, even in spite of pressure from the reigning European champions.
Here 101 Great Goals looks at title odds for 2021/22 from the Premier League and which teams are best equipped to chase down Manchester City.
Title favourites
Manchester City have been truly dominant this season and have a firm grip on pole position, despite seeing their run of 12 consecutive wins come to an end as they were held to a draw with Southampton. They still However, the defending champions have a nine-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, and a 10-point gap to Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side have also been pretty much unaffected by injuries or illness this season, especially so given their squad depth, and the only thing that could throw them off could potentially be a run in the Champions League. They are 1/8 favourites to lift the title.
Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva have been two standout players for Manchester City this season (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Title challengers
Chelsea returned to winning ways over the weekend as they defeated London rivals Spurs 2-0, but still find themselves trailing league leaders Man City by 10 points and having played a game extra. Following a strong start to the season, Thomas Tuchel’s side have really stuttered over recent months. The west London club have collected just two wins from their last eight matches in the league, and very long title odds of 66/1 to overhaul City reflect their standing at the moment.
Liverpool are most likely to be the side who gives Manchester City the biggest run for their money in the race for the title. Over the weekend, the Reds managed to capitalise on City finally faltering as they beat Crystal Palace, taking their deficit to nine points, but they do have a game in hand over the defending champions. The Merseyside club also still have the chance to take points off of City when the two sides go head to head at the Etihad on April 9 and are second favourites for the title at 13/2.
Diogo Jota has been a crucial player in the absence of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Title outsiders
Manchester United have been very underwhelming this season following a transfer window that looked set to make the title challengers. However, the Red Devils are well off the pace in the hunt for the title and are instead fighting for a place in the top four. Ralf Rangnick’s side did secure a massive win over the weekend as they defeated West Ham in the last minute of added time but they face a race just to secure a place in the top four at 500/1 to win the title.
Tottenham made a horrific start to the season which eventually saw Nuno Espirito Santo sacked. Spurs have looked revitalised under Antonio Conte, but as shown on Sunday by Chelsea, they remain some way off the top sides. Tottenham suffered a third defeat this month against the Blues to deal their top-four hopes a slight dent. They do, however, have games in hand over Arsenal and Man United and the chance to leapfrog both teams and are marked as more likely to climb to the top than Manchester United at 250/1.
Following a shocking start to the season, Arsenal have started to finally find their rhythm under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are clearly well short of being title contenders but have a great opportunity of a top-four finish. Their young talents like Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are all enjoying very impressive campaigns, while new signings Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have also contributed to their strong form. No European football has also been a big help for the north London club but at 250/1 a late dash for the top is out of sights.
West Ham (1000/1) are the team that are making the biggest push this season to disrupt the Premier League’s big six. David Moyes’ side have impressed this season and are making a strong push for a European spot. However, their form over recent weeks has taken a bit of a hit, having suffered back to back defeats. They are also set to return to Europa League action soon and that could be an added pressure on a squad already showing signs of fatigue.
Marcus Rashford’s late goal against Crystal Palace kept Manchester United’s top four hopes alive (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
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