Manchester City have found themselves in uncharted territory prior to the international break, as they’ve lost back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since 2018.
And with their recent stretch of lacklustre Premier League 2023 results, the defending champions are now third in the English top-flight standings with 18 points, although they trail by only two points behind the league leaders.
In the past few years, the Premier League has been as competitive as it has been in such a long time. So, even if you’re a powerhouse like the Sky Blues, they cannot afford to overlook certain games because even relegation candidates can beat them on any given day; just ask the Wolves.
So, this begs the question: is this the year where Pep Guardiola’s side finally cedes the Premiership crown? And if so, which teams are capable of dethroning them?
Postecoglou’s Tottenham revolution
Ange Postecoglou has now won back-to-back Premier League Manager of the Month awards, which is not bad for his first-ever Premier League stint, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Spurs are playing a more proactive style of football than we’ve seen in years past, with Postecoglou emphasising the importance of having a possession-based approach.
The decision to deploy Heung-Min Son as their No. 9 in lieu of Bayern Munich-bound Harry Kane has certainly paid dividends. Unlike before, when he often started slow, Son is taking the league by storm because he is one of the Golden Boot race leaders with six goals thus far.
And what makes Spurs fans giddier is the fact that they’re not overly reliant on the Taeguk Warriors star.
The addition of James Maddison has proven to be a masterstroke, as the former Leicester City playmaker now has two goals and five assists, while Dejan Kulusevski and even centre-back Cristian Romero have already recorded two league goals each.
When Antonio Conte was sacked, Ange Postecoglou was actually not on Daniel Levy’s shortlist to replace the Italian tactician. In fact, Tottenham were eyeing Arne Slot to be their next manager at the time, but it didn’t happen, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Tottenham are one of the two remaining teams who have yet to lose a league match this season, and they are technically on top of the standings with a superior goal difference.
Are the Spurs actually capable of winning it all this year to dust off their bare trophy cabinet, or is this yet another false dawn? Watch this space.
Arsenal are deeper and healthier (?) than last year
The other side who has yet to suffer a Premier League loss this season is Arsenal, and they are on a high after they finally broke their long-standing drought against Manchester City recently.
At this point last year, the Gunners actually held the top seed for long stretches, but a couple of bad results late saw them ultimately lose the title to the Sky Blues. Many felt that they weren’t ready to be champions anyway because they lacked depth, and untimely injuries hit them hard.
William Saliba, whose absence was crucial last season, is finally back at 100-per cent, while the team has brought in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, David Raya, and Jorginho as their new reinforcements.
Mikel Arteta has been afforded enough time and patience for his project compared to most managers, so it is understandable why their fans at the Emirates are starting to grow impatient, and they are eager for a return in the form of new Premier League silverware.
Lurkers ready to pounce
But Tottenham and Arsenal are not the only teams who can realistically knock Manchester City off their perch. Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Brighton are within arm’s reach of the Sky Blues, while Newcastle United seem to have gotten over their slump with a four-game unbeaten run.
Liverpool were the last non-Manchester City side to win the Premier League in 2019-20, and if their players stay healthy, they certainly have the tools to mount a significant challenge.
Aston Villa, Brighton, and Newcastle United are a couple of up-and-coming squads who can give Manchester City trouble, but the Premier League 2023 odds believe that they are not ready just yet. But at the end of the day, it all boils down to how the Sky Blues respond. We won’t be surprised if they come out swinging after the international break, but to be honest, SBOTOP football fans like myself would prefer to see a new champion at the end of this season.
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