Rivals given some hope

Manchester City's grip on the Premier League title has reached an unprecedented four years but off-field doubts surround the English champions ahead of the new season.

Pep Guardiola turned City into the dominant force in English football with six Premier League titles in the past seven seasons.

Guardiola, though, is entering the final year of his contract and the City boss has offered no guarantees that he plans to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium to a decade.

"Nine years today in the same club is an eternity," Guardiola said during pre-season. "I want to be sure it's the right decision. Not just for me, for the club, for the players."

Another cloud hangs over City's title defence, with the long-awaited hearing into 115 Premier League charges for alleged breaches of financial rules expected to take place before the end of the year.

City have vehemently denied any wrongdoing over the allegations, some of which date back to 2009.

However, if they are found guilty, they could face severe sanctions.