Weighing the contenders: Who will win the hyper-competitive Premier League race?

The Premier League is once again boiling down to a fascinating title race. With just about a third of the season remaining, let's take a look at why each contender may or may not be able to get the job done.

Liverpool | First place, 18-6-2

Ever since Jurgen Klopp's announcement that this will be his last season at Anfield, his team has looked motivated to send its manager out on top. Liverpool's lead atop the table is broad enough to hold even after games in hand are played, but can it finish the job?

After a fairly healthy first half of the season, injuries are piling up for the Reds like almost never before; nearly a full lineup's worth of key contributors, including star goalkeeper Alisson Becker, are hurt with varying timetables to return. The big question is: Who will be back for the Manchester City clash on March 10? It's not looking like Becker will make it. 

Still, if at least a few of these players can get back on the pitch, there's a chance. The Reds have been playing great soccer lately, and if they can secure another home win against City, they're in prime position. It'll take a herculean effort from stars such as Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, as well as fill-in contributors such as Conor Bradley, but this club has the talent and tactics to make one last run under Klopp. 

Manchester City | Second place, 17-5-3

The case for the three-time defending champs just about makes itself, as their destiny is fully within their own hands. City is no stranger to comebacks, so nobody would be surprised if it pulls off another.

City's health is trending in the right direction after recent returns by superstars Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland.  Near perfection will be a requirement the rest of the way for City, but that's never been a problem before and shouldn't be this time if the stars can stay on the pitch.

The issue is that this isn't City's only title to defend. With less depth than usual, will manager Pep Guardiola be able to adequately prioritize the league while also trying to win the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League again? 

Arsenal | Third, 17-4-4

After losing the league in painstaking fashion last season, Mikel Arteta's squad is highly motivated to make it a step further and hoist the trophy. They say defense wins championships, and nobody has allowed fewer Premier goals than Arsenal this season. The Gunners are also one of the best ball-possession sides in the sport, with a midfield full of dynamic playmakers, and they're healthier than either of their competitors.

The question for Arsenal is whether it can get consistent enough finishing at the top. The answer has often been no, as the team continues to search for a true out-and-out striker. 

Arteta is also balancing the Premier League with a Champions League hunt for the first time, and Arsenal has already been dealt the blow of a 1-0 first-leg defeat against Porto. Prioritization will be a big deal going forward, and it's hard to imagine the promising young manager getting it just right on the first try.

The Pick

Who could it be other than City? It has the chance to take points from both fellow contenders, and it has its stars back in the XI. Guardiola has proven that he is perhaps the best ever at navigating a challenging Premier League race. Expect him to do it once more.