Soccer Saturday pundits back Man City and Chelsea for Premier League title

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Soccer Saturday pundits back Man City and Chelsea for Premier League title

The Soccer Saturday panel is split between Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Leicester overlooked.
The four pundits will be back in the studio alongside Jeff Stelling for Saturday's show, live on Sky Sports News HQ from 12pm, as Leicester begin their title defence at Hull City, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 12.30pm.
The Foxes' chances of repeating their memorable triumph are doubted at 28/1 with Sky Bet, albeit significantly shorter odds than their price of 5,000/1 quoted this time last year.

So who will be crowned champions in 2016/17? Here is what the pundits are predicting...

Phil Thompson predicts: Manchester City (9/4 with Sky Bet)

Under Pep Guardiola they'll keep possession and yet still be aggressive, two very important things in the Premier League.
We saw how effective the high-pressing game was with Tottenham last season and Pep was the brains behind the six-second rule of winning it back once you've lost it.
Pep Guardiola is being tipped to lead City to a Premier League title
Pep Guardiola is being tipped to lead City to a Premier League title
This team needed a boost and changes to happen. I think it had become stale and players weren't performing to their potential, which Guardiola will change.
We'll have to wait to see how the signings do but I think the majority will come good. He's spent twice as much as he did in his first seasons at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and I think it will reinvigorate City.

Paul Merson predicts: Chelsea (5/1 with Sky Bet)

I would always rather make a prediction than sit on the fence, but I think this is the hardest season to predict.
We have all the top managers in the world in the Premier League now, which shows you how good it is.
Eden Hazard failed to live up to expectations for Chelsea last season
Eden Hazard failed to live up to expectations for Chelsea last season
I'm going for Chelsea on the strength of the manager and Eden Hazard. He had a terrible season last time around, but could still be the best player in the league.
If he gets going again they could sneak their way to the top.

Merson's predicted PL table

Paul Merson predicts final Premier League table for 2016/17

Charlie Nicholas predicts: Manchester City (9/4 with Sky Bet)

I'm expecting Man City to be champions. I'm backing Guardiola to adapt and while it won't be a perfect season, he's brought in the personnel to complement what they already have.
Sergio Aguero is among the favourites to win the Golden Boot
Sergio Aguero is among the favourites to win the Golden Boot
I still think United need another two after Paul Pogba and I think Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are in the same boat.
I'm not convinced by Chelsea at this stage and it will be an intriguing tactical situation for their players under Antonio Conte.

Matt Le Tissier predicts: Chelsea (5/1 with Sky Bet)

I just think there's a big advantage in not playing European football, and that certainly works in favour of both Chelsea and Liverpool.
Antonio Conte led Italy to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016
Antonio Conte led Italy to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016
I was also very impressed with how Conte got so much out of a very average Italy team at Euro 2016. That's what Chelsea need after struggling to motivate themselves after winning the previous title.
Plus, I'm looking at the odds. I don't see how they are 5/1 for the title having won it the season before last when Manchester United are 3/1.

 

 

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