Manchester City managed to win the league with ample time last season, lifting the trophy at the Etihad on 6th May in front of their adoring fans. In fact, the blue side of Manchester sealed their victory on 15th April when second-place Manchester United lost to West Bromwich Albion.
Four games into the Premier League season, the main contenders to City's throne have emerged: Liverpool and Chelsea. The Reds and the Blues sealed four wins from four games to start the season, whereas Manchester City dropped two points in a draw to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
All three teams look well-enough equipped to take their title challenge to the very end of the season, but which stadium will see the trophy be lifted?
If Manchester City can be consistent again
Manchester City suffered a major blow to start off the season, losing crucial playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. But, the squad is deep enough to cope before the Belgian's October 2018 return from injury. Luckily for City, they have quite a straightforward run-in until the start of October, when they face Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - both away games - to bookend the month.
However, the odds on Man City to win league 2019 are at 4/6 because they have so many talented players who can push through tough spells and come out with points. The depth of their squad will see them win consistently over the course of the season and unless many more major injuries occur, they are expected to claim an early title again.
Liverpool and Chelsea should mount more of a challenge this season, and City end the season with a trip to Brighton, so they'll be looking to wrap up the league on 4th May against Leicester City, if not before.
If Liverpool and Chelsea continue to soar
Liverpool struggled to mount a serious challenge last season due to poor goalkeeping, defending, and a lack of quality in the middle of the park. Scoring wasn't a problem in any way for the Reds, who battered Man City 4-3 in the middle of January, but stopping goals was. With a new goalie, more consistency in the backline, and much better central midfielders, Liverpool can mount a legitimate challenge.
The Reds are the favourites to take City's crown, if the Citizens can't reclaim the title, at 5/2. Given their explosive style of play and start of four wins in four with a +7 goal difference, Liverpool could pull away by overwhelming their opponents with massive scorelines. Now that Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah have had a full year to gel, they could be even more potent - especially being backed up by Naby Keita while having Xherdan Shaqiri waiting in reserve.
Chelsea have had a great start to the season under new boss Maurizio Sarri. Four wins in four have demonstrated the new manager's intent to play attacking football while still being based on the strong defence that the Blues have become known for. However, the winning start will be challenged to the extreme when they host Liverpool on 29th September.
Chelsea and Liverpool's first meeting is expected to go the way of Liverpool, but if Chelsea do come out on top, it could propel them to a grand string of wins that holds them at the top of the table. The two meet again on 13th April, five games before the end of the season. The winner of that game could play a huge role in who wins the league, and a draw may even leave the title for City.
If Chelsea or Liverpool can push Manchester City to the last day, only Liverpool can hoist the trophy in front of their home fans at Anfield. Chelsea face Leicester on the last day at the King Power Stadium, and Man City are at Falmer Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion. But, given the strength of their team, City are expected to win the league in time to set up a trophy ceremony at the Etihad again.
