Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday is already being billed as a big game in the title race.

It may be too early in the season to draw many conclusions from the result, yet the Premier League does seem to have four genuine contenders.

City are favourites to retain their trophy, Chelsea are a machine under Thomas Tuchel, Manchester United strengthened impressively over the summer and Liverpool look back to their best.

So are we set for a classic title race in the top flight? LiveScore investigate.

Rare races

It is not common for more than two clubs to be battling for the Premier League trophy late in the season — and that is what makes it such a tantalising prospect.

Everybody remembers City’s first title as Sergio Aguero scored a 96th-minute winner to deny United glory, while Mickey Thomas’ last-gasp heroics for Arsenal at Anfield in 1989 was the most famous ending pre-Premier League.

In 2013-14, the Reds, City and Chelsea all had a chance as the season entered April, 2007-08 was a classic battle between United, Chelsea and Arsenal, while four points separated the same trio nine years earlier as United won the treble.

The top flight is never short of storylines but they are often about relegation, the battle for the top four or historical wins such as Leicester’s miraculous triumph, City’s record points totals or Liverpool ending a 30-year drought.

We believe that we will win

If Fernandinho was again lifting the famous trophy in May, nobody would be that surprised. 

Yet the same could be said if it was Harry Maguire, Cesar Azpilicueta or Jordan Henderson. That is a rarity.

Speaking ahead of the season — and before United swooped in to sign Cristiano Ronaldo – Jamie Carragher was already talking up the prospect of four challengers.

He said: "We've never really had it where more than two teams can win the league. But this time feels different. 

“You've got Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United have brought in Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane.

"It just feels like those four teams could fight it out. In the end, there always seems to be two teams left, but it'll be great if the four could still be battling it out come around March or April."

City still imperious

Pep Guardiola’s City remain the favourites in the eyes of many — especially given the way they bounced back from a poor start in 2020-21.

Defeat to Tottenham on the opening weekend and a draw with Southampton in their last outing are not ideal, yet the Citizens showed they have the capability to put devastating runs together last term.

An already strong squad was boosted by the edition of Jack Grealish, though their failure to land Harry Kane could come back to haunt them.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand is not so sure the England star's absence will matter, saying: “I still think that City are the team to beat.

“They have the know-how, they’ve done it, they’re the champions and they’re the team who others have got to get past.”

But that Champions League itch has not been scratched yet and if they are still in contention at the end of the season, that could be a huge distraction.

The magic Tuch

City know all about Liverpool’s capabilities but they will be more than aware of the threat Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea will provide.

Following the German’s arrival in late January, only the Etihad outfit picked up more points than Chelsea. 

The Blues beat City in the FA Cup semi-final, at the Etihad in the league and in the Champions League final.

And that was before the Blues had Romelu Lukaku to rely on for goals. 

Their display when down to 10 men at Liverpool last month saw some cast them as favourites.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer said: “The Premier League title race is only just getting started, but Chelsea already look like they will be very hard to stop.

“Thomas Tuchel’s side look seriously impressive right now, but they have done since he took charge in January.

“Even when they are not playing well or things go wrong – like it did when Reece James was sent off at Anfield last month — Chelsea still give very little away.

“As they showed in their brilliant 3-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday, the Blues have an extremely strong squad and a very good manager too.”

The Ronaldo factor

After finishing second last term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen his squad strengthened with the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo.

If there were doubts over whether United could challenge, the arrival of CR7 certainly changed that.

The pressure is on at Old Trafford and Ronaldo’s former team-mate Wes Brown believes they can end their nine-season drought.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Brown said “On the pitch he’s the guy that can win you games, everyone understood that in our team. He worked very hard to get where he is. 

“He’s the one who you knew that he could do it, he could pull something off and do something special and help us achieve really big things.

“You have to believe we can [win the title this season]. Look at the signings we’ve made this summer — they’re quality signings!

“You have to put Manchester United in the title race.”

The mentality monsters

Liverpool are happy to place themselves as the underdogs — just two seasons after they romped to a first title since 1990.

With Sadio Mane looking back to his best, Mohamed Salah in the goals again and a number of injured players back, there is no reason they cannot recapture their best form.

Legend Ian Rush said: “Liverpool are the underdogs but they like that and having Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk back from injury is like signing three new players.

“If they can stay fit, there is no reason why Liverpool can’t challenge for the title.”

And that will be key for the Reds. They do not have the strength in depth of City or Chelsea and as last season proved, injuries could be fatal for their challenge.