The annual question is being asked: can anyone stop Manchester City?
For the ninth consecutive season, Pep Guardiola’s team were considered pre-season favorites by bookmakers to win the Premier League title.
They have won six of the last seven titles, including an unprecedented four in a row.
BBC Sport takes a look at City’s seven likely title rivals, ranked by last season’s finishing positions.
Conclusion from last season: Second (two points below City)
Arsenal have been runners-up to City for the last two seasons and have only slightly better odds than this year’s champions – miles ahead of any other team.
The Gunners have made just one major personnel change this summer, bringing in the Italian defender Ricardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m. He can play as a left-back or defender.
They also turned a loan into a permanent stay for Spanish goalkeeper David Raya, who usurped Aaron Ramsdale as number one last season.
Arsenal’s goals were shared – with winger Bukayo Saka being their top scorer over the last two seasons. Could a real striker be the difference between winning the title or not? They are linked to Napoli leader Victor Osimhen.
BBC Sport senior football news reporter Alex Howell said: “Arsenal have finished second in the last two seasons but the last campaign felt like a big change for everyone at the club.
“The Gunners finished just two points behind champions Manchester City and took them to the final day of the season.
“Captain Martin Odegaard said at the end of last season that they changed clubs and it looks like Arsenal will be title contenders for a long time.”
Conclusion from last season: Third (nine points below City)
Liverpool begin a season without Jurgen Klopp as manager for the first time since 2015-16.
Klopp announced his departure at the end of the season midway through the last campaign – and was replaced by Arne Slot in May.
The Dutchman appears to be changing the Reds’ playing style from a high-energy pressing game to a more possession-based game.
The Reds, who are the only team other than City to win a Premier League title in the last seven years, are yet to sign anyone this season – but Slot hopes that changes.
BBC Sport senior football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella said: “Liverpool will be hoping to challenge even in Slot’s first season in charge, after a glorious era under Jurgen Klopp left the club in good stead.
“However, they will not be favorites and there will also be a reasonable understanding if they fall short in what is his first season whilst he adapts to his new approach.”
Conclusion from last season: Fourth (23 points below City)
Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League by achieving an impressive fourth place last season.
Unai Emery transformed the club from relegation candidates into a team that had been considered title contenders for some time last season – and he hasn’t even been in charge for two years.
The club has needed to sell players this summer to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
But they have brought in plenty of new faces – including Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, Luton midfielder Ross Barkley – and the return of academy products Jaden Philogene and Cameron Archer.
BBC Sport senior football news reporter Nick Mashiter said: “Since being appointed whilst three points above the relegation zone in October 2022, Unai Emery has overseen a drastic transformation, along with Monchi – chairman of football operations. Villa football – and others.
“They were in the title race last season and were third at the end of the year, just a point behind leaders Arsenal, but two defeats to Manchester United and a home defeat to Newcastle ended any hopes in mid-February .
“Villa have undergone a small upgrade with Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby being the biggest departures – with Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea joining from Juventus – but still feel light on the experience of winning titles despite the huge strides made.”
Conclusion from last season: Fifth (25 points below City)
Tottenham started last season well under Ange Postecoglou and were five points clear at the top after 10 games – but then slowed down and finished outside the Champions League places.
Teenagers Archie Gray (£30m from Leeds), Lucas Bergvall (£8.5m from Djurgarden) and George Feeney (undisclosed from Glentoran – signed from the under-18s team) are the only summer arrivals so far. South Korean teenage winger Yang Min-hyuk will join the team in January.
16-year-old academy striker Mikey Moore impressed in pre-season friendlies.
BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella said: “Coach Postecoglou will be the force that leads Tottenham to believe they can finally take the next step and win a title for the first time since 2008.
“As always, he won’t want to limit Spurs’ ambitions, but Champions League qualification seems a more realistic objective.”
Chelsea
Conclusion from last season: Sixth (28 points below City)
Chelsea finished last season in good shape to qualify for Europe, in danger of finishing in the bottom half, but after another summer of major reforms, no one knows how they will fare.
Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester to promotion, replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the Blues’ hot seat this summer.
They made a flurry of summer signings – with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo and Omari Kellyman, all with Premier League experience.
Veteran centre-back Thiago Silva, along with Hakim Ziyech, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson – who were loaned out last season – have departed permanently, with Conor Gallagher set to join Atletico Madrid.
BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella said: “Chelsea would be real outsiders for the Premier League title this season as new manager Enzo Maresca and the young squad appear to need time to close the gap.
“Champions League qualification and cup success remains the ambition, but there is hope that this young team can grow together and become contenders in the coming seasons.”
Conclusion from last season: Seventh (31 points below City)
Newcastle set the bar so high in 2022-23 with their surprise Champions League qualification that last season’s seventh-place finish felt like an anti-climax.
Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final meant the Magpies, who finished the season strongly, missed out on Europe altogether.
Now Newcastle hope they can keep coach Eddie Howe, who is considered one of the favorites to become England manager.
BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter Simon Stone said: “I’m feeling a sense of frustration around Newcastle because they are being hampered by financial rules which mean they have to sell players when they actually want to buy.
“The good news is that Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon are still at the club. The bad news is that there is another month until the transfer window closes. Uncertainty cannot be helping Eddie Howe with his planning.”
Manchester United
Conclusion from last season: Eighth (31 points below City)
Manchester United had their worst league finish since 1989-90 last season, finishing eighth – although they finished on a high by winning the FA Cup.
Manager Erik ten Hag was expected to lose his job in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul of the club, but United decided to stick with the Dutchman, who won trophies in both seasons at the club.
Manchester United splashed the cash on two youngsters this summer – £36.5m Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and £52m Lille central defender Leny Yoro. However, Yoro is already injured and will face months out of action.
Several players left on free transfers, including former French internationals Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone said: “The sight of £52m new boy Leny Yoro in a protective boot sends a shiver down the spines of United fans.
“The injuries started last pre-season and haven’t stopped. Erik ten Hag must avoid a repeat because he simply cannot afford to finish eighth again.
“This is likely to bring a renewed focus around strengthening the central defense in the coming weeks.”
