CHRIS SUTTON: Manchester United will fall at the first hurdle, Chelsea and Liverpool will go the distance but I expect Manchester City will win the Premier League title by a nose... Pep Guardiola's has RIDICULOUS attacking options

We are only seven games into the Premier League season, but there are already early signs that this could be the most hotly-contested title race for some time.

Chelsea have set the pace heading into the international break, leading the top flight with a points total of 16, although Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are closely following Thomas Tuchel's side.

Here, Sportsmail'sCHRIS SUTTON takes a look at the four main contenders vying for the league crown, outlining why they can, and can't, have their hands on the famous trophy come May.