Pundits' PL title picks

With 20 games of the Premier League season gone, we asked the Soccer Saturday pundits who they are backing to secure the title.

Soccer Saturday pundits have made their title picks
Soccer Saturday pundits have made their title picks

Tottenham blew the title race wide open again by halting Chelsea's 13-match winning streak with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday and it means just 10 points separate the top six.

Antonio Conte's men remain Sky Bet's favourites despite the setback, although they did drift out from 4/7 to 8/11, but the top six are all 16/1 or shorter in what promises to be a wide-open Premier League title race.

Here are the thoughts of the pundits: 

Phil Thompson: Chelsea

At this moment in time it is still difficult to look past Chelsea. My tip was Manchester City but they still look too fragile at the back.

You look at Chelsea's squad and they're worthy favourites, although the Spurs result certainly gave everyone a lift. It was the first round of fixtures in a while when we had some slip-ups with the top six all looking strong.

I certainly fancy Liverpool to finish in the top four and at this moment I'd put them second in a very close fight for the title. 

Matt Le Tissier: Chelsea

I have to say I backed Chelsea at the start of the season and I can't change my mind now. They've got the lead and they've got no European __football to worry about.

It must be very frustrating for the chasing sides when you consider United have won six successive matches and not climbed any positions.

All six are providing capable title challenges with very little between them so you've got to see the side in top spot hold a big advantage.

Charlie Nicholas: Manchester City

My tip at the start was Manchester City and I think they're business in January will be very important.

I think Pep Guardiola will definitely hit the market and if he does improve his defence then I'm going to stick with them.

My only concern is that he is as stubborn as me in my prediction and he clearly doesn't see the problem with Claudio Bravo, who is struggling. He also needs to bring some full-backs in and a top central defender.

Paul Merson: Chelsea

I still think Chelsea will win the league. I went for them at the start of the season and they've got the massive advantage of playing once a week.

Liverpool are the only other side who have got that, although they're still in the Capital One Cup, and it makes a huge difference.

The way they play in that system it is difficult to do twice a week, as we saw at Tottenham, and not having those games allows them to execute it.

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