It’s time to get excited for the return of the Premier League.

The new season gets underway in just two days, with Manchester United hosting Leicester City.

Manchester City will attempt to become the first team to defend their title since the Red Devils achieved the feat in 2009.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the bookmakers’ favourites to triumph once again and it’s not hard to understand why.

They stormed to the title last season, finishing 19 points ahead of second-placed United and breaking numerous records in the process.

Liverpool’s business in the transfer window sees them enter the new campaign as the team most likely to challenge Man City.

Jurgen Klopp has improved his midfield, added depth in attack and, most importantly, solved his goalkeeper problem.

Shearer and Wright's predictions

Pundits have started to offer their predictions and it’s now the turn of BBC duo Alan Shearer and Ian Wright.

The pair differ on their picks, with Shearer selecting Man City to win the title and Wright naming Liverpool.

Alan Shearer

1. Man City
2. Liverpool
3. Man United
4. Tottenham

Shearer said: It has been a long time since anyone won back-to-back titles but I think City will win the Premier League again because of Pep - he won't want their standards slipping.

“He will play exactly the same way and they are going to be very hard to stop, although I think Liverpool and United will both be a lot closer to them this time.”

Ian Wright

1. Liverpool
2. Man City
3. Man United
4. Arsenal

“I want this season's title race to be more spicy and I think it will be,” Wright said.

“If Liverpool can get some impetus, then we don't know how Manchester City will react under pressure if a team can stay close to them at the end of the season.

“You also have to consider that Liverpool are City's Kryptonite. That's why I am backing Jurgen Klopp's side to pip them to the title.”

Liverpool certainly appear to have Man City’s number.

The Reds have won the previous three encounters, including last season’s Champions League quarter-final meeting.

Whether they can do it across a 38-game season, however, is the big question.