Ranking the 5 favorites for the 2021-22 Premier League season
The English Premier League (EPL) is the most famous league in the world, featuring the best English football has to offer. The top 20 clubs in the English footballing pyramid compete for the honor of lifting the title, and this season has seen some clubs rise, while others have faltered.
Sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, Norwich City have just 17 points and all signs point to relegation for them. Leeds and Everton might be in 16th and 17th respectively, but they are less than three points out of the drop zone, and would need to seriously sit up.
Newcastle had been in the conversation for relegation as well, but the Magpies have woken up and flown out of the red, winning five of their last six games.
The other notable shock this season is Leicester City sitting in mid-table doldrums. The 2020-21 FA Cup winners were expected to be among the European spots, but sit in 12th place, more than 15 points behind 5th position.
However, what about the clubs currently sitting in European spots and currently vying for the coveted Premier League title?
Top favourites for the English Premier League title this season
#5 Manchester United
For a side that came in second place in the Premier League last season, Manchester United have struggled to find any strong footing this campaign. They currently sit in fifth place, with Arsenal overtaking them at the weekend.
An unprecedented start to the season has seen the Red Devils falter, even going as low as 7th place. However, the sacking of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as recent invigorated form under new caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick, has seen them get back into Champions League spots for a bit.
@Cristiano's stunner from #MUNBHA is up for the #PL's February Goal of the Month award! 
🎥 @Cristiano's stunner from #MUNBHA is up for the #PL's February Goal of the Month award! 👏🔴
#MUFC
Their most recent wins against Brighton and Leeds clearly show the Red Devils' potential ability, but a lot remains out of sorts at Old Trafford. Continuing discussions about United's next manager form a distraction alongside the unending calls for Harry Maguire to be stripped of the captaincy.
However, if they can focus on finishing the season strongly with a good run of form, then maybe they can add more points to their tally when the league's curtains fall.
#4 Arsenal
Although they currently sit fourth, the Gunners could leapfrog Chelsea if they enjoy a good run of form in the next couple of weeks. Arsenal have played just 25 games, a good number of games in hand versus clubs like Manchester City who have played 28 games already this Premier League season.
With their only Premier League loss this year coming on New Year's Day, Mikel Arteta's men have flourished, even with no incomings in the winter transfer window.
Wolves
Clean sheets: 1
Goals scored: 5
Win percentage: 100%✅ Wolves
✅ Brentford
✅ Wolves
⛔️ Clean sheets: 1
⚽️ Goals scored: 5
💯 Win percentage: 100%
The boss has been nominated for the @PremierLeague Manager of the Month award 👏
Strong showings like their 5-0 win away at Norwich and their 2-0 away win against Leicester City back in October only portray the Gunners in a great light. Nine goals from Emile Smith Rowe and eight goals from Bukayo Saka have propelled them up the table, and neither player looks like slowing down just yet.
Some defensive mishaps, including Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli picking up red cards, may have stunted their growth. However, Arteta looks set to keep gunning for the top with consistently impressive results, with Arsenal having won eight of their last 10 league games.