The new Barclays Premier League season is almost one-third to completion and so far, it has been one of many surprises and with enough plot twists to suggest fans can look forward to a great climax come next May. While the usual suspects like Manchester United and Chelsea have shown that they will challenge once more for the title, there have also been teams like Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur who have shown signs that they may well factor in the final weeks.

Chelsea won the title last season with such style and aplomb that the Blues effectively shed off their previous tags of being boring and defensive. Under the guidance of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, the players found joy in operating a fine balance in attacking football and defensive resilience. The fact that they came close to netting double figures in goals against a few teams has again been replicated this season showed that their offensive might is no one season wonder.

Ancelotti has also constructed a squad with strong foundations in team unity despite having many big name stars and egos. Players like Didier Drogba, John Terry and Nicolas Anelka have all expressed their happiness at the club and constantly do their talking on the pitch now. Ancelotti has also managed to introduce the kind of entertaining football that club owner Roman Abramovich craves for and these factors could all come together nicely again to allow the Blues to retain the title.

Manchester United will be determined to have a say in the destiny of the title, having finished a close second behind Chelsea last season. The Red Devils were gunning for a fourth consecutive Premier League championship – a feat that had previously never been achieved by any club – but an injury to top striker Wayne Rooney saw them slip up in the final few weeks. However, with the club having retained the services of their prized asset for another five years, the Old Trafford club may now be galvanised to launch a stronger title bid this season. While results in their first nine games have been less than encouraging, the quality of the squad that manager Sir Alex Ferguson has at his disposal will certainly overcome any early season jitters.

Arsenal have regularly featured in previous title races and currently second in the standings behind Chelsea, the Gunners are adamant that they have finally found the missing ingredient to claim their first title in years. Manager Arsene Wenger has bought shrewdly during the summer transfer window. In Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, he has a quicksilver striker who has bedded in seamlessly into English football with five goals already to his name this season. Defenders Laurent Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci will also provide depth in a defence that has so often let down the team in the past. Wenger also pulled off a masterstroke in convincing captain Cesc Fabregas to remain with the club in the face of advances from Spanish club Barcelona.

Expectations are high at Manchester City after another summer of heavy spending. The Eastlands club has spent over two hundred million pounds to beef up their squad with star signings. While City’s targets and priorities have not been made public, it is widely accepted that nothing less than a fourth place finish and perhaps a trophy from one of the cup competitions would suffice. Manager Roberto Mancini is constantly under pressure due to the investments but the Italian has a proven track record from his time in Serie A. A win over Chelsea in the early stages of the season has already shown City’s potential and they cannot be ruled out from being a strong contender.

Tottenham Hotspur, or Spurs as they are popularly known, are certainly one of the dark horses for the title. While their realistic chances of winning it may be weaker compared to the aforementioned sides, the north London side is packed with sublime talent. In Harry Redknapp, they also have a manager with a shrewd ability to get the best out of lesser players and an ambition that matches the size of his ego. The only hindrance they may face would be the lack of experience the players have in dealing with the duo commitment of the Premier League and Champions League competitions.

While Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are easily the most favoured to lift the title, the emergence of both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will push the established trio right down to the wire. Teams like Liverpool should never be discounted either, due to tradition and desire. One thing is for certain though – the Premier League title race will never be entirely predictable nor boring.

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