We’ve already tipped Arsenal, and Chelsea – so now let’s go with United to make sure we’re not wrong. And our reasoning? Read on to find out…

It’s not their form – although convincing against an (albeit dreadful) Everton side, United have yet to hit top gear this season. And their performance against Sunderland, where stealing a point was daylight robbery, was one of the worst I can remember United producing.

It’s not their players – they have lost Ronaldo and Tevez and replaced them with Owen and Valencia (and I suppose Obertan) – a bad swap in anyone’s books. Rooney aside they lack invention, and with Owen yet to convince in front of goal, a goalscorer.

It’s not their rivals – admittedly Liverpool are nothing short of disastrous, but Chelsea look as convincing as any side have for years, steamrollering the opposition. And Arsenal on their day can beat anyone – until their recent setback against Sunderland they were really pushing themselves into contention.

Of course their manager is a factor – however much you hate Man United, you have to admire Alex Ferguson and all he has achieved. If you don’t you are either incredibly blinkered or downright retarded. But Sir Alex can only do so much.

No – what could win United the title, is their next ten games. Look how easy they are:

28-11-2009 Premier League Portsmouth (A)
05-12-2009 Premier League West Ham United (A)
12-12-2009 Premier League Aston Villa (H)
15-12-2009 Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
19-12-2009 Premier League Fulham (A)
27-12-2009 Premier League Hull City (A)
30-12-2009 Premier League Wigan Athletic (H)
09-01-2010 Premier League Birmingham City (A)
16-01-2010 Premier League Burnley (H)
26-01-2010 Premier League Hull City (H)

Incredible hey? Apart from Villa at home, and perhaps Fulham away, you would expect those games to be a cakewalk. And in that timespan, Chelsea face Arsenal, Man City, Everton, and Sunderland.

Alex Ferguson himself has said that if United are as close as one point behind come the New Year, he would be not only delighted but confident of retaining the title for a fourth season.

And there is no side in the world that, once the momentum is with them (a situation these ten games should create) are better at chasing down a lead.

If United get within a couple of points, Chelsea will be looking nervously over their shoulders – and you wouldn’t bet againt them being overhauled.

Roughly a quarter of the way into the new season and the Big Four have experiences vastly contrasting fortunes. We have a look at them…

Chelsea

Won five from five, on a great run currently, Drogba firing, Lampard re-finding his goalscoring touch, defence shored up… it all looks good for Carlo Ancelotti. Defeats to Wigan and Aston Villa have blighted their record but they are rightly strong favourites for the title. The return of Joe Cole is a boon, and there is a definite feeling around Stamford Bridge that not only is the Premier League there for the taking, but the Champions’ League too. The fact their transfer embargo has been suspended, allowing them to spend big in January when they lose influential players to the ACN, is significant.

Man United

United have been far from convining this season yet still have 25 points, only two less than Chelsea. They have lacked invention (Rooney aside), their formerly rock solid defence has looked ropey (Evra aside) and they already appear reliant on old timers Giggs and Scholes, who will not last the season. Nani has been nothing short of disastrous, Valencia yet to impress, Owen yet to convince he is not shot… yet they keep winning. Reputation is single handedly dragging them to victories. But how long will that last?

Liverpool

An all round disaster. Neither Gerrard nor Torres are or have been fully fit, and they have lost six of their last seven in all competitions. They have lost five in the league already, from eleven matches – last season they lost only two all season. Carragher looks shot, Alonso has left a gaping void… Benayoun is the only one who has really stepped up. They are in big trouble, Rafa is in big trouble, and Man City, Villa, Spurs et al must be filled with hope.

Arsenal

Outsiders at the start of the season (well, not ours) Arsenal have been playing some cracking football. They set a new Premier League record for goals scored and create reams of chances – but as their draw with West Ham showed (2-0 up with 18 mins to go) they still have a soft core. That will need to be largely eradicated (depending on how much their rivals struggle) for them to last the pace.

Our Prediction

1. Chelsea

2. Arsenal

3. Man United

4. Man City

5. Liverpool

6. Villa

We’re coming into a crucial stage of the season – here is our view on the main challengers in each of the four divisions…

Premier League

Like the thoroughbreds they are (apart from Nani) Man Utd are cruising away at the top of the Premiership. They currently have a two point lead over Liverpool, which will be extended to five after their inevitable win over Fulham on Wednesday. The red half of Merseyside are closer than they’ve ever been, but with only one (decent) striker, unrest on the contractual front, unrest in the boardroom, and the pressure they will undoubtedly feel at the sharp end of the season, this season is too early for them. Chelsea will be ten points behind Utd after Wednesday’s game (assuming Utd win) which even at this stage seems too much. Villa make up the top four, and although they’re having a sensational season, they just can’t win it (can they?). Arsenal look to now be out of the running, fifteen points back in fifth place. Remember, though, how comfortable Chelsea looked earlier in the season – and remember, also, that anything can happen…

Current Odds:

Man Utd  -  1/4
Liverpool -  6/1
Chelsea   -  20/1
Villa        -  33/1
Arsenal   -  50/1

The Championship

Wolves sit atop the table despite recent stutters; they’ve only won one of their last nine. However, by winning games in hand, any one (or all) of Birmingham, Reading, and Cardiff can go ahead of Mick McCarthy’s side. Swansea are also careering up the table like a steam train, undefeated in thirteen, and now only three points off the playoffs. Burnley’s excellent season sees them sit 8th, just behind Bristol City, with the top eight completed by Preston in 4th and Sheffield Utd in 6th. Any one of those nine teams, with a Swansea-esque run, could gain automatic promotion – and even challenge for the title. Reading are favourites – but don’t rule anyone out.

Reading        -  11/8
Wolves         -  2/1
Birmingham  -  9/2
Cardiff         -  10/1
Swansea      -   66/1

League 1

Leicester are the runaway leaders, with a six point gap to Roberto Di Matteo’s MK Dons in second. There is then a further seven points to Peterborough in third, where everything is super-congested around the play-off places. Realistically, only Leicester and MK Dons look capable of taking the title (famous last words) but who will get the final promotion spot via the play-offs is anyone’s guess.

Leicester         -  1/4
MK Dons         -  6/1
Peterborough  -  28/1
Scunthorpe     -  33/1
Millwall           -  40/1

League Two

It’s tight at the top of League Two, with Brentford opening up a three point gap after victory over early eason pacesetters Wycombe at the weekend. Wycombe do have two games in hand, however, and if they can snap out of their recent abject form they can retake top spot. Bury sit third, tied on points, with Rochdale and Bradford two points behind them and Exter one point, Shrewsbury two points, and Dagenham and Redbridge and and Darlington four points behind. Gillingham are a further point behind in tenth – then there is an eight point gap to 11th. At this stage of the season it looks like the winners and indeed play-off contenders will all come from the current top ten – but don’t rule out someone making a late push (come on Swindon!). Rochdale are our tip, in great form recently, they’re closing fast on the leaders.

Wycombe   -  3/1
Brentford   -  7/2
Rochdale   -  8/1
Bradford   -  8/1
Darlington -  8/1