Manchester City 2022-23 Premier League Preview
Can City keep hold of their crown?
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 1045 GMT, Thursday 2 June
Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy for a sixth time last season, though they were pushed all the way by Jurgen Klopp’s relentless Liverpool. The two are set to go head-to-head for the 2022-23 Premier League title.
Chelsea will be hoping to recover from off-field issues and put themselves back in the championship race. How will Manchester United get on under new boss Erik ten Hag? Can Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal challenge?
We take a look back at City’s incredible 2021-22 title success and look ahead to what promises to be another memorable year in England’s top division. Will we see any other superstars join Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium next season? And where will Pep Guardiola’s men finish this time around? Check out our in-depth 2022-23 Man City Premier League betting preview.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: City edge out Reds in thrilling title race
- 2 Man City Transfer News: Who will join Erling at the Etihad?
- 3 Who Are City’s Biggest Challengers: Will Liverpool be the main rivals again?
- 4 Liverpool Preview: Can the Reds rub shoulders with City once again?
- 5 Manchester United Preview: Will Ten Hag make an instant impact?
- 6 Chelsea Preview: Blues to bounce back under new ownership?
- 7 Tottenham Hotspur Preview: How will Spurs fare under Conte?
- 8 Arsenal Preview: Are the Gunners worthy 50/1 outsiders?
- 9 Man City players to watch out for in the 2022-23 season: Big season for Jack?
- 10 Our Manchester City Predictions: Guardiola’s superstars to make it three in a row
2020-21 Review: City edge out Reds in thrilling title race
Man City were embroiled in another fascinating scrap with Liverpool for the Premier League title last season. The Reds were in stunning form at the end of the campaign, which kept City honest at the top.
On a dramatic final day, the Citizens edged past Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. They were two down with just 14 minutes to go, but goals from Ilkay Gudgodan (2) and Rodri turned the game on its head to give Man City a famous 3-2 victory. Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, but City held on to finish a point ahead of the Reds.
Man City were incredibly consistent throughout the Premier League season, winning 29 of their 38 league fixtures. They drew six and lost three of the other nine. The Manchester giants ended the league campaign with a 12-game unbeaten run (nine wins, three draws) to pip rivals Liverpool to the post.
City have now won six Premier League titles, with four of those coming in the last five seasons. Guardiola has been supremely successful since arriving in England, and his side got the job done under testing circumstances last season. The current champions will be gunning for three in a row this term.
Manchester City Key Facts
- Man City have won eight English titles
- The Citizens have won back-to-back Premier Leagues
- City racked up an impressive 93 points last season
- Pep’s boys suffered just one defeat in their last 28 league games
Man City Transfer News: Who will join Erling at the Etihad?
Man City have already pulled off the transfer signing of the summer, bringing in the prolific Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. The Norway international, who was born in Leeds, was scoring goals for fun in the German Bundesliga. Last season, Haaland helped himself to 22 league goals, with just Robert Lewandowski and Patrik Schick netting more. Can the self-confessed City fan fire his new team to another Premier League trophy?
Several big names have been linked with a move to the Etihad since Man City sewed up yet another Premier League title. Now that the popular Fernandinho has moved on, City will want to plug the gap in midfield, and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips has been mentioned as a more than suitable replacement. The England international has been immense for the Yorkshire side since their arrival in the top tier, and Phillips would certainly bolster City’s midfield options.
The exciting Frankie de Jong has also been linked, but a deal for Phillips would make more sense. Also, West Ham United skipper Declan Rice is also reportedly on City’s radar. Rodri is one of the first names on the team sheet these days, but the second central midfield position is well and truly up for grabs this season.
Who Are City’s Biggest Challengers: Will Liverpool be the main rivals again?
Liverpool will no doubt be there or thereabouts in the race for the Premier League title this season, but who else can challenge Man City? Rivals Man United have a lot of rebuilding to do, and it remains to be seen whether new manager Ten Hag will make an instant impact at Old Trafford.
Chelsea had a fine season in testing circumstances last term, but now the takeover is complete, the Blues could be back in the title hunt this year. Antonio Conte has a full pre-season with Tottenham as they gear up for the UEFA Champions League, and the Gunners could be dark horses under Mikel Arteta.
Liverpool Preview: Can the Reds rub shoulders with City once again?
To rack up 92 points and not win the Premier League title is quite something. Liverpool and Man City have been getting the best out of each other for a number of seasons now, and the Merseysiders will no doubt be Man City’s main title rivals for years to come.
Klopp’s troops had an outstanding 2021-22 season. They beat Chelsea in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, and finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League. The famous quadruple did not happen, but Liverpool will back stronger than ever this season. At the time of writing, Klopp’s side are priced at 2/1 to win their second Premier League title.
Manchester United Preview: Will Ten Hag make an instant impact?
Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson departed, Man United have been going through a transitional period. However, it is taking the record English champions far too long to get things right. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked midway through the campaign, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick doing an okay job while the board sorted out the Norwegian’s permanent replacement.
United have been well off the pace in recent years, as they have stood back and watched rivals Man City and Liverpool dominate the division. It is likely to take Ten Hag time to settle into his new surroundings, but the Red Devils could be a team to watch out for if things click early doors. The bookies have them priced at 25/1.
Chelsea Preview: Blues to bounce back under new ownership?
Chelsea’s £4.25b consortium takeover has been completed, and the long-serving Roman Abramovich now has nothing to do with the Stamford Bridge club. The Blues can now focus on matters on the pitch after a tough second half to the 2021-22 season.
Despite their well-documented problems, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea still managed to have a successful season. They won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup and reached the finals of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, losing on penalties to Liverpool in each. They ended the season in third position, booking their spot in the 2022-23 Champions League. With the right recruitment in place, Chelsea could be a force to be reckoned with this season. The Blues are priced at 16/1 to win the league.
Tottenham Hotspur Preview: How will Spurs fare under Conte?
In Conte, Tottenham have one of the best managers in world football. The Italian guided Spurs to a top-four finish against all odds last term, with the north Londoners pipping rivals Arsenal to the final Champions League place by two points. Conte described the achievement as one of the best in his career.
You never really know what you are going to get with this current crop of Tottenham players. However, in Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son, the Lilywhites have one of the best strike forces in the Premier League. Conte is more than capable of attracting the world’s best players, and Tottenham could challenge this season. They are currently the fourth favourites at 20/1.
Arsenal Preview: Are the Gunners worthy 50/1 outsiders?
Getting back into the top four will be Arsenal’s priority this season. The Gunners missed out in agonising fashion last season, suffering two defeats in their last three, which saw rivals Tottenham snatch fourth place away at the death.
Arsenal are definitely building something under Arteta, but winning the Premier League title seems way off right now. Nevertheless, if you fancy a flutter on the Gunners, 50/1 is your best price at present.
Man City players to watch out for in the 2022-23 season: Big season for Jack?
Jack Grealish stole the headlines a year ago with a sensational £100m move to the Etihad Stadium from his boyhood club Aston Villa. The Birmingham-born star impressed for the Villans with several captain performances and flourished for England on occasions.
Grealish admitted after Man City’s victory over his beloved Villa on the final day that moving to the Etihad was harder than expected. Jack did not quite show his true colours in his first year in Manchester, but the now 26-year-old could sparkle for Man City this season after a good first year under his belt.
Haaland needs no introduction. The Norwegian is capable of taking to the Premier League like a duck to water, and the 21-year-old could even improve this star-studded Man City team. It might be worth backing Haaland to finish as the Premier League’s top scorer this season.
Our Manchester City Predictions: Guardiola’s superstars to make it three in a row
The race for the Premier League title could be as tight as ever this season. Man City are without doubt the team to beat, but several clubs could be ready to pounce on any slipups, especially Liverpool.
Apart from Liverpool’s success in the 2019-20 season, Man City have been the dominant force in recent years, and we can see Guardiola’s superstars making it three Premier League titles in a row in 2023. They are currently odds-on at 4/7, but even at that price, our money is going on the champions to retain.
