Who Will Be Manchester City’s Main Challengers In The Premier League 2023/24?

By Ian John
October 23, 2023

Last season, Manchester City walked away with the three Major trophies of the campaign.

Contents

    They wrapped up the Premier League, then followed that with an FA Cup win over Manchester United.

    Lastly, they defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League Final to join the 1999 Manchester United team as the only treble winners in history.

    Pep Guardiola and his team have now set a precedent for the 2023/24 season, but is it one they can match this season?

    Or will some of City’s main opponents finally catch up to City’s relentless pursuit of silverware?

    In this article, we’ll examine where City stand heading into the new season. Then we will look at the teams most likely, and most capable, of catching them.

    What The Bookmakers Say

    The bookmakers are always a good marker for how strong a team is heading into the new season. Bet365 Sport have Manchester City as the following odds to land the three big trophies once again.

    • Premier League – 8/11 favourites
    • FA Cup – 3/1 favourites
    • Football League Cup – 7/2 favourites
    • UEFA Champions League – 2/1 favourites

    It is abundantly clear therefore, that the bookies rate City’s chances of another treble, or even a quadruple, as very good indeed.

    In fact, you can get 66/1 with bet365 on Manchester City winning all four trophies next season and they are just 18/1 to complete the same treble next season as they did this.

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    So, if anybody is going to stop Manchester City claiming a record-setting fourth Premier League title in a row – who is it likely to be?

    Before we look at that, we need to take a look at how City stand right now, which is outlined below.

    Manchester City

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – Winners
    • FA Cup – Winners
    • Football League Cup – Quarter Finals
    • European Competition – Winners

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 61
    • Won – 44
    • Drawn – 10
    • Lost – 7

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Erling Haaland – 52 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Kevin De Bruyne – 29 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Mateo KovacicFrom Chelsea – £30,000,000

    Player Departures

    • Shea CharlesTo Southampton – £15,000,000
    • Ilkay Gundogan To Barcelona – Free
    • Benjamin Mendy – To Lorient – Free
    • James Trafford To Burnley – £19,000,000
    • Josh Wilson Esbrand To Reims – Loan Eos

    Manchester City Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKEderson19No Change
    DRKyle Walker17No Change
    DCRuben Dias18No Change
    DCJohn Stones18Improving
    DLManuel Akanji16Improving
    DMCRodri20Improving
    MCBernardo Silva17No Change
    MCKevin De Bruyne20No Change
    AMRPhil Foden16Improving
    AMLJack Grealish17Improving
    ACErling Haaland20Improving
    Substitutes
    SubGkStefan Ortega14Improving
    Sub2Nathan Ake16Improving
    Sub3Aymeric Laporte14Declining
    Sub4Rico Lewis13Improving
    Sub5Kalvin Phillips16Declining
    Sub6Mateo Kovacic18Improving
    Sub7Cole Palmer13Improving
    Sub8Riyad Mahrez17Declining
    Sub9Julian Alvarez16Improving
    Manager
    ManagerPep Guardiola20No Change
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)198Improved on last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)335No Change
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420355Improved on last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Kalvin Phillips, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva
    • Purchases – Josko Gvardiol, Gabri Veiga
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 8/11

    Let’s take a closer look now at some of their main rivals and their chances of stopping the City juggernaut.

    Who Could Be Manchester City’s Major Premier League/ FA Cup/ League Cup Rivals?

    Arsenal

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 2nd
    • FA Cup – Fourth Round
    • Football League Cup – Third Round
    • European Competition – Europa League – Round of 16

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 49
    • Won – 32
    • Drawn – 8
    • Lost – 9

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka – 15 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Bukayo Saka – 11 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Kai HavertzFrom Chelsea – £65,000,000
    • Declan Rice From West Ham – £105,000,000
    • Jurrien Timber From Ajax – £38,000,000

    Player Departures

    • Granit XhakaTo Bayer Leverkusen – £21,400,000
    • Pablo Mari To Monza – Undisclosed
    • Ainsley MaitlandNiles – Released

    Arsenal Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKAaron Ramsdale17Improving
    DMRJurrien Timber15Improving
    DCWilliam Saliba16Improving
    DCGabriel Magelhaes15Improving
    DMCDeclan Rice19Improving
    DMLOleksandr Zinchenko17Improving
    MCKai Havertz18Improving
    MCMartin Odegaard19Improving
    AMRBukayo Saka19Improving
    AMLGabriel Martinelli18Improving
    ACGabriel Jesus16No Change
    Substitutes
    SubGkMatt Turner14No Change
    Sub2Kieran Tierney14No Change
    Sub3Ben White15Improving
    Sub4Rob Holding13No Change
    Sub5Thomas Partey15Declining
    Sub6Emile Smith Rowe14No Change
    Sub7Jorginho15No Change
    Sub8Eddie Nketiah14Improving
    Sub9Reiss Nelson13Improving
    Manager
    ManagerMikel Arteta18Improving
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)189Improved on last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)316Improved on last season
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420334Improved on last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Folarin Balogun
    • Purchases – Mohamed Kudus, Douglas Luiz
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 5/1

    Can Arsenal Challenge City?

    189-198 – The Gunners have made some big strides in the off-season to close the gap on City, but I still feel they are a little short, although that gap is growing smaller each season.

    Chelsea

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 12th
    • FA Cup – Third Round
    • Football League Cup – Third Round
    • European Competition – Champions League – Quarter Finals

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 50
    • Won – 16
    • Drawn – 12
    • Lost – 22

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling – 9 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount – 4 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Nicolas JacksonFrom Villarreal – £30,100,000
    • Christopher Nkunku – From RB Leipzig – £52,000,000
    • Kendry Paez From Independiente del Valle – £17,270,000
    • Angelo Gabriel From Santos – Undisclosed
    • Alex Matos From Norwich City – Undisclosed
    • Diego Moreira From Benfica – Undisclosed

    Player Departures

    • Kai HavertzTo Arsenal – £65,000,000
    • Mateo Kovacic To Manchester City – £30,000,000
    • Ruben Loftus Cheek – To AC Milan – £17,180,000
    • Mason Mount To Manchester United – £60,000,000
    • Christian Pulisic To AC Milan – £18,800,000
    • Ethan Ampadu To Leeds United – Undisclosed
    • PierreEmerick AubameyangTo Marseille – Free
    • Kaliodou Koulibaly To Al Hilal – Undisclosed
    • Eduoard Mendy To Al Ahli – Undisclosed
    • Cesar Azpilicueta To Atletico Madrid – Free
    • N’Golo Kante To Al-Ittihad – Free
    • Baba Rahman To PAOK Salonika – Free
    • Tiemou Bakayoko – Released

    Chelsea Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKKepa Arrizabalaga14Declining
    DMRReece James19Improving
    DCThiago Silva15Declining
    DCBenoit Badiashile15Improving
    DMLBen Chilwell18Improving
    DMCEnzo Fernandez19Improving
    MCConor Gallacher15Improving
    AMLMihailo Mudryk15No Change
    AMRRaheem Sterling17No Change
    ACChristopher Nkunku17Improving
    ACNicolas Jackson16Improving
    Substitutes
    SubGkMarcus Bettinelli12Declining
    Sub2Trevor Chalobah14No Change
    Sub3Marc Cucurella15Declining
    Sub4Wesley Fofana16No Change
    Sub5Levi Colwill14Improving
    Sub6Carney Chukwumeka12Improving
    Sub7Lewis Hall13Improving
    Sub8Noni Madueke13Improving
    Sub9Armando Broja14No Change
    Manager
    ManagerMauricio Pochettino16Improving
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)180Improving
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)303Declining
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420319Improving

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Trevor Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku
    • Purchases – Elye Wahi, Moses Caicedo, Rayan Cherki
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 12/1

    Can Chelsea Challenge City?

    180 – 198 – After all the changes made at Chelsea in the past 12 months or so, a challenge to City is probably too big of an ask, but a push for the Champions League places most definitely is not.

    Liverpool

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 5th
    • FA Cup – Fourth Round
    • Football League Cup – Fourth Round
    • European Competition – Champions League – Round of 16

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 52
    • Won – 26
    • Drawn – 12
    • Lost – 14

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Mo Salah – 30 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Mo Salah – 16 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Carlos Mac AllisterFrom Brighton – £35,000,000
    • Dominik Szoboszlai From Red Bull Leipzig – £60,000,000

    Player Departures

    • James MilnerTo Brighton – Free
    • Naby Keita To Werder Bremen – Free
    • Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – Released
    • Roberto Firmino To Al Ahli – Free

    Liverpool Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKAlisson20No Change
    DCVirgil Van Dijk18Declining
    DCIbrahima Konate17Improving
    DMCStefan Bajcetic13Improving
    DMRTrent Alexander Arnold20Improving
    DMLAndy Robertson19No Change
    MCDominik Szoboszlai17Improving
    MCAlexis Mac Allister17Improving
    AMRMo Salah20No Change
    AMLLuis Diaz18No Change
    ACDarwin Nunez15Declining
    Substitutes
    SubGkCaoimhin Kelleher14Improving
    Sub2Joe Gomez14Declining
    Sub3Joel Matip15Declining
    Sub4Kostas Tsimikas14No Change
    Sub5Thiago15Declining
    Sub6Curtis Jones14Improving
    Sub7Harvey Elliott15Improving
    Sub8Cody Gakpo18Improving
    Sub9Diogo Jota17Improving
    Manager
    ManagerJurgen Klopp20No Change
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)194Improved on last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)330Declined on last season
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420350Improved on last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Nat Phillips, Thiago, Caoiminh Kelleher
    • Purchases – Romeo Lavia, Kalvin Phillips, Cheick Doucoure, Joshua Kimmich, Gabri Veiga
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 8/1

    Can Liverpool Challenge City?

    194 – 198 – On Paper, Liverpool look likely to be City’s main challengers once again. But it all depends on the midfield changes working for the Reds. If they do, then we could have a real battle between the two.

    Manchester United

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 3rd
    • FA Cup – Runners Up
    • Football League Cup – Winners
    • European Competition – Europa League – Quarter Finals

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 62
    • Won – 42
    • Drawn – 8
    • Lost – 12

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Marcus Rashford – 30 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Bruno Fernandes – 13 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Andre OnanaFrom Inter Milan – £47,200,000
    • Jonny Evans From Leicester City – Free
    • Mason Mount From Chelsea – £60,000,000

    Player Departures

    • Alex TellesTo Al-Nassr – £4,000,000
    • Charlie Savage To Reading – Undisclosed
    • David de Gea – Released
    • Phil Jones – Released
    • Axel Tuanzebe – Released

    Manchester United Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKAndre Onana15Improving
    DRDiogo Dalot16Improving
    DCLisandro Martinez18Improving
    DCRaphael Varane16Declining
    DLLuke Shaw18No Change
    DMCCasemiro20No Change
    MCMason Mount17No Change
    AMCBruno Fernandes19No Change
    AMRAntony16Improving
    AMLJadon Sancho15Declining
    ACMarcus Rashford17Improving
    Substitutes
    SubGkTom Heaton10Declining
    Sub2Victor Lindelof14No Change
    Sub3Harry Maguire13Declining
    Sub4Tyrell Malacia13Improving
    Sub5Aaron Wan Bissaka14Improving
    Sub6Christian Eriksen14Declining
    Sub7Donny Van de Beek13Declining
    Sub8Alejandro Garnacho13Improving
    Sub9Anthony Martial14Declining
    Manager
    ManagerErik Ten Hag18Improving
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)186Improved on last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)304Improved on last season
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420322Improved on last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Fred, Anthony Elanga, Dean Henderson, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay
    • Purchases – Rasmus Hjolund, Harry Kane, Randal Kolo Muani
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 11/1

    Can Manchester United Challenge City?

    186 – 198 – At the moment, I still feel United are a couple of top players short of a realistic challenge to City, but some of the names they have been linked with would see that gap close considerably if they can sign one or two of them.

    Newcastle United

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 4th
    • FA Cup – Third Round
    • Football League Cup – Runners Up
    • European Competition – N/A

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 46
    • Won – 24
    • Drawn – 15
    • Lost – 7

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Callum Wilson – 18 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Kieran Trippier – 9 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Sandro Tonali From AC Milan – £55,000,000
    • Harvey Barnes From Leicester City – £39,000,000

    Player Departures

    • Chris WoodTo Nottingham Forest – £12,000,000
    • Matty Longstaff – Released
    • Ciaran Clark – Released
    • Jeff Hendrick To Reading – Loan Eos
    • Allen Saint-MaximinTo Al Ahli – £30,000,000

    Newcastle United Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKNick Pope16Improving
    DRKieran Trippier17No Change
    DCFabian Schar14Improving
    DCSven Botman15Improving
    DLDan Burn14Improving
    MCBruno Guimaraes17Improving
    MCSandro Tonali17Improving
    AMLHarvey Barnes14Improving
    AMRJoelinton15Improving
    ACCallum Wilson14No Change
    ACAlexander Isak15Improving
    Substitutes
    SubGkMartin Dubravka13Declining
    Sub2Paul Dummett11Declining
    Sub3Jamal Lascalles12No Change
    Sub4Jamal Lewis12No Change
    Sub5Miguel Almiron16Improving
    Sub6Anthony Gordon14Improving
    Sub7Sean Longstaff13Improving
    Sub8Jacob Murphy11Declining
    Sub9Joe Willock14Improving
    Manager
    ManagerEddie Howe16Improving
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)168Improving from last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)284Improving from last season
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420300Improving from last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lascalles, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie
    • Purchases – Tino Livramento, Ibrahim Adel, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Federico Chiesa
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 14/1

    Can Newcastle United Challenge City?

    168 – 198 – I still feel Newcastle are a good few players away from challenging Manchester City for the title. A Champions League tilt is another good shout, but I think this could be a season of consolidation for the Toon this year.

    Tottenham Hotspurs

    Last Season’s Performances

    • Premier League – 8th
    • FA Cup – Fifth Round
    • Football League Cup – Third Round
    • European Competition – N/A

    Last Season’s Total Games Record

    • Games Played – 50
    • Won – 23
    • Drawn – 9
    • Lost – 18

    Individual Performances

    • Top Goalscorer (all comps) – Harry Kane – 32 goals
    • Top Assists (all comps) – Ivan Perisic – 12 assists

    Players Incoming

    • Dejan KulusevskiFrom Juventus – £25,600,000
    • James Maddison From Leicester City – £40,000,000
    • Guglielmo Vicario From Empoli – £17,200,000
    • Manor Solomon From Shakhtar Donetsk – Free

    Player Departures

    • Harry WinksTo Leicester City – £10,000,000
    • Lucas Moura – Released

    Tottenham Hotspur Team & Manager Rankings

    Pos/RoleNameRating  (0-20)Trending
    GKGuigielmo Vicario15Improving
    DRPedro Porro15Improving
    DCEric Dier15Declining
    DCCristian Romero16No Change
    DLIvan Perisic15Declining
    DMCRodrigo Betancur15Improving
    MCOliver Skipp14Improving
    AMLSon Hyeung-min17Declining
    AMRDejan Kulusevski16No Change
    AMCJames Maddison17Improving
    ACHarry Kane20No Change
    Substitutes
    SubGkFraser Forster11No Change
    Sub2Davinson Sanchez12Declining
    Sub3Emerson Royal12Declining
    Sub4Ben Davies13Declining
    Sub5Pierre Emil-Hojbjerg15No Change
    Sub6Giovani Lo Celso14No Change
    Sub7Yves Bissouma13No Change
    Sub8Richarlison17No Change
    Sub9Manor Solomon14Improving
    Manager
    ManagerAnge Postecoglou14Improving
    Totals & Trends
    Total First XI Rating (out of 220)175Improved from last season
    Total Squad Rating (First XI & Subs – Out of 400)296Improved from last season
    Total Rating (First XI + Subs + Manager) / 420310Improved from last season

    Rumoured Further Player Sales/Purchases That Could Affect The Ratings Above

    • Sales – Harry Kane, Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso
    • Purchases – Dusan Vlahovic, Ivan Toney, Micky Van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba
    • Odds To Win Premier League – 40/1

    Can Tottenham Challenge City?

    175 – 198 – Ange Postecoglou has a lot to do to make this squad realistic challengers to City. That is even more the case if Harry Kane leaves the club. The best Spurs can hope for is a shot at the top four in my view.

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