Liverpool and Manchester City are set for another Premier League title showdown but who looks likeliest to join them in the top four this season?

The 2019/20 term might still be in its infancy but as matchday eight approaches, themes have already emerged to suggest an intriguing scrap below the top two between heavyweights caught in transition or struggling to balance attacking threat with defensive grit.

Man Utd fears, Arsenal edge?

Will Manchester United struggle to make the top six, let alone top four? Are Leicester the real deal in the fight for Champions League football? With the help of pundits and key stats, we take a look at the early battle, and you can have your say with our interactive table.

United have, in fact, made their worst start to a Premier League season - nine points from seven games sees them just squeak into the top half heading into the weekend - and their stuttering form stretches back into last term; a haul of just 17 points from the last 16 games is the third-worst in the league, excluding this season's newcomers.

Solskjaer spent big on Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer but youngster Dan James - more of a wildcard recruit than a sure thing - has been a standout performer, scoring a third of United's goals so far. Since a 4-0 opening weekend rout of Chelsea, only Brighton (2), Newcastle (4) and Watford (4) have scored fewer goals than United's five, with only Brighton and Watford having a worse shot-conversion rate than their 5.8 per cent. With Romelu Lukaku allowed to leave and lingering questions over Marcus Rashford's position, Solskjaer's squad is undoubtedly short, with the manager himself admitting his recruitment plans will prioritise creativity and goals.

Their attacking prowess - alongside their rivals' own worries - are certainly reasons for optimism. Injuries have prevented Unai Emery from yet fielding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe together from the start but Aubameyang has already netted seven times this season and they have created more big chances than Man Utd and Tottenham so far.

"I think Arsenal have just got the edge because of the strikers in their team," Carragher said on MNF. "I think they are going to concede more goals, but Aubameyang is top class. He is one of the best strikers in the league, he was joint-top scorer last season and I would not bet against him being top scorer again. They have Lacazette as well, so there are just more goals there."

A suspect defence remains: no Premier League side has made more errors leading to goals since Emery's appointment, while this term no side has faced more shots in total than the 126 clocked by Opta. David Luiz remains prone to lapses but Carragher, in a deeper look at Arsenal's defensive flaws, believes Emery has structural work to do to ensure his backline is better protected.

Tottenham troubles

Tottenham might have pushed Liverpool and City hard last season before finally falling away as the race on two fronts took its toll, but the mood has darkened dramatically across north London - and that was before Tuesday's 7-2 Champions League humiliation at home to Bayern Munich.

A one-off thrashing, with Robert Lewandowski and his team-mates ruthless, might sting but be mitigated. Yet Spurs have crashed out of cup competition to Colchester, looked devoid of ideas in defeat to Newcastle and repeatedly surrendered leads; in the context of a start where Mauricio Pochettino admitted his talented squad is unsettled after a turbulent transfer window, these are troubling times.

Lampard's Chelsea to profit?

Chelsea's wait for a first home win in the Premier League ended at the weekend but their youthful side has galvanised fans regardless of results and a growing sense of optimism was strengthened in Lille, where Frank Lampard's players passed a stern Champions League test, albeit with the help of an older head in Willian.

They might be in transition but Lampard has approached the task of blooding youth in the face of a transfer ban with relish and his trust in young talent is paying off. Tammy Abraham has scored eight goals already this season. He, along with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori are in line for England call-ups. All but one of Chelsea's top-flight goals this season have been scored or assisted by academy graduates.

A team full of enterprise currently ranks second for shots, shots on target and chances created from open play and those opportunities are good ones too - only Manchester City are scoring higher in terms of expected goals.

Are Leicester genuine candidates?

Brendan Rodgers might be playing down Leicester's chances - "we know it's a big ask because of all the other clubs that have been regulars there; we're just focusing on our performance levels," he said after a 5-0 thumping of Newcastle, but the numbers marry with the eye test.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City have taken more Premier League points than Leicester's 31 since Rodgers' arrival, with a notable win over Tottenham helping them to third in the fledgling table. The former Celtic boss has crafted a vibrant, hard-pressing side with Jamie Vardy and James Maddison thriving in attack, while Wilfred Ndidi and new fan favourite Caglar Soyuncu are playing key roles further back.

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