Who will win the title?

A fascinating weekend of Premier League football has left it tight at the top, with just one point separating the leading five teams in the division.

Manchester City still lead the way on 20 points, despite being held by Southampton, while Arsenal and Liverpool occupy the next two spots on goal difference. 

Chelsea are in fourth on 19 points, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference after their big win over Manchester United, while Jose Mourinho’s men are seventh, trailing City by six points and sixth-placed Everton by one. 

Here we take a look at how the top teams are shaping up after nine games…

Manchester City: 20pts +11GD

How have they started?

Six straight wins, including an impressive Manchester derby downing of Jose Mourinho’s United, had many thinking Pep Guardiola could well cruise to Premier League glory in his first season in charge of City. However, a surprise 3-3 draw at Celtic in the Champions League was followed by a deserved defeat at Tottenham, and frustrating draws against Everton and Southampton either side of a thrashing at Barcelona. It all adds up to Guardiola’s worst run for over seven years. However, City supporters will be quick to point to the standings. Despite their wobble, City remain top of the pile.

What challenges do they face?

Guardiola’s first challenge is to buck this winless trend. A Manchester derby EFL Cup tie on Wednesday would be the perfect time to do it. Defeat to arch rivals United could take this streak beyond a blip and into more serious territory. However, Guardiola remains happy with the way his team are adapting to his methods – he praised their second-half efforts against Southampton and shrugged off John Stones’ costly error. The question is, does he have a squad of players capable of consistently matching his high standards?

What are their odds?

11/8 to win the 2016/17 Premier League with Sky Bet

Arsenal: 20pts +10GD

How have they started?

Arsene Wenger may be celebrating 20 years in the job, but that didn’t stop fierce criticism being thrown his way after a chaotic opening-weekend 4-3 defeat at home to Liverpool. A fortuitous 0-0 at Leicester City next up didn’t help matters. But the Gunners have since been on a six-game Premier League winning run, featuring a mix of scintillating attacking play and last-gasp goals. A 0-0 draw at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, though, was a reminder they still have work to do.

What challenges do they face?

Arsenal face Tottenham and a trip to Manchester United in a mouth-watering double header either side of the next international break. After defeat to Liverpool and an impressive 3-0 win over Chelsea, those games will act as the next marker of Arsenal’s credentials. There has been praise of Wenger’s squad this season – perhaps his greatest challenge will be combining and rotating the talented parts to sustain their title challenge right through the campaign.  

What are their odds?

5/1 to win the 2016/17 Premier League with Sky …

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