Micah Richards and Martin Keown have made their Premier League predictions ahead of the new season, and it’s good news for Manchester City fans.
City won a third consecutive league title last season after catching up to runaway leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side then went on to wrap up a historic treble, beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final before winning the Champions League for the first time in club history.
City will begin their Premier League title defence with a trip to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley on Friday evening.
Richards and Keown back City
As part of BBC Sport’s pundits’ predictions for the new season, both former City right-back Richards and former Arsenal defender Keown have backed City to make it four titles in a row.
“Their s[City’s] quad is still better than everyone else’s. They won’t win the Treble again, but they will win the Premier League,” Richards predicted.
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“I was close to picking Arsenal to win the title, because no team has ever won it four years in a row, but they are without Gabriel Jesus at the start of the season and I think that is just going to kill them.”
While Keown wanted to back his former club, his head told him that City have what it takes to do what no club has done before.
“Of course I really want Arsenal to win the Premier League – as a pundit I am impartial, but as a former Arsenal player I am excited because last season was the first time in many years that we felt we were back in the fight and the team was competitive.
“It was a hell of a ride for the 248 days we were top of the table, and I don’t expect that form to disappear.
“Arsenal have had a fantastic transfer window, too. I am not sure how Kai Havertz fits in, but I really like the look of Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice is one of England’s best players. I still think City will be too strong for Arsenal to overcome but I see the Gunners finishing a close second.”