This team wins the Premier League

Manchester clubs breathe league leader Liverpool down their necks a few rounds before we find ourselves in the middle of the Premier League season.

Jürgen Klopp’s men have just one league loss this season, but three draws in five rounds have meant the rivals narrowed their lead over the Reds.

Manchester United are the team in great shape in the league, with eight wins and two draws in the last ten games, and soon Liverpool will be waiting for the opposite half of the field at Anfield.

Before the season, Liverpool and Manchester City were big bookmakers favorites, but after 16 matches played, they are very evenly matched in the Premier League across the board.

On that occasion, Dagbladet asked the experts the following questions:

1: Between which teams do you think the Premier League title match will be?

2. Do you think Manchester United will be in the fight for the title until the end?

3. Who do you think will win the Premier League and why?

Roar Stokke, Viasat:

1. In another strange season, I think it will be between Liverpool and Manchester City. City, with top level and fantastic defense for the year after Dias’ acquisition, can quickly become league champions. The injured Liverpool is in a situation it has not been in for 30 years, having to defend a league gold. It is also difficult to be chased by everyone, to defend a gold.

2. Nobody believed in Leicester when they won either, and with De Gea at large and a collective with a new confidence and great enthusiasm, of course it can be true. Offensively, United are good enough, but I’m not sure if they will eventually be solid enough to be in the 38th round of the league. January 17 against Liverpool will be an important date. If they win, most things are possible. It is imperative that Bailly remains injury free. It makes Maguire better and the defense much safer.

3. If I have to say a team, I say Manchester City. I think they are starving after a difficult start and for once it feels liberating to be in a challenging role. The breadth of the squad is fine and the defense with Dias and Stones experiencing a new spring feels like a bullet. Liverpool are fighting injuries, they are in a new position where they will defend a gold medal, and I think the gap behind the best midfielder in the world, leader Van Dijk, can be closed in individual matches, but it gets expensive with him. weather.

Øyvind Alsaker, TV 2:

1. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have it clear. It is logical to take out the three that are in the upper part when we approach the half played. Additionally, two of the teams have dominated the Premier League for the past three seasons. And Manchester United already have a strong squad this year as City and Liverpool have big problems. The two are not at the level they have been. It won’t be 95-100 points at the end, plus around 80 points. Even Solskjær, who was 33 points behind last season, has a chance. Then you have Tottenham or Leicester, I guess I don’t see anyone else. Chelsea got hooked yesterday, Arsenal have too much advantage. If I have to choose, I say Tottenham before Leicester, but I don’t want to rule them out.

2. Yes, I think so. Solskjær has managed to build a very solid stable, a much more balanced and harmonious stable than it was with Mourinho and van Gaal. We saw a picture of that against Everton, when they traded nine men and delivered the best half hour they have done this season, in the League Cup. Liverpool will have a hard time stopping in the spring and City have quite big challenges, with a lot of illness, playing in four tournaments and with a tough match program. I think Manchester United has the opportunity of the times. I think they understand that they have a golden opportunity, better than they could dream of. I think that’s inspiring.

3. It’s hard to sit down and believe now. If Bruno Fernandes is injured for two months, what about United? Will Sergio Agüero get old-fashioned before it’s too late? Can Liverpool get a cap? But if that’s not the case, do they have enough defense to win? I find it difficult to predict one. But I think right now he looks brilliant for Manchester United. I think it could be a little Solskjær bomb. Anyway, that’s the best story. As much silence as it has received and as criticized as it has been. I think there has been a very clear coverage of Manchester United the two years that they have been there, I must say. I think I have seen a common thread in everything he has done. He has a strong stable and zero injury problems. They have an all time opportunity.

Erik Thorstvedt, TV 2:

1. These are the teams at the top. I thought Chelsea should join in, but that’s the big negative disappointment in recent weeks. He was sure the line they had formed there was good enough. Leicester is unrealistic, I have no faith in Everton. It’s City, United and Liverpool, and Tottenham as the fourth team if I have to choose.

It is a matter of definition what is completely inside. He looks great for United now, but has fluctuated a lot with Ole Gunnar. Are you in a good mood? I have more confidence in City and Liverpool than United, to be honest. It will be a “three horse race” and a race with several teams as current winners. I hope there is enthusiasm. Often in the Premier League there have been some who have escaped early, where the excitement is in the Champions League and relegation really.

3. I mean Liverpool. There is nothing scientific behind this. I thought City had screwed it up a lot at first. They struggle with attacking play and score few goals. Now we see a revitalized City and I also think that Guardiola thinks it is going well. If I have to choose, it will be Liverpool.