Top 6: Why each team will or won't win the Premier League

Following the recent bout of domestic cup fixtures and after assessing the bottom six, theScore explores the reasons why each of the top six will win the league, or will be left to squabble over the Champions League places.

1. Chelsea

Champion elect

Antonio Conte's gesticulations and bellows from the technical area have been infectious - or have simply woken Chelsea from its season-long slumber - and the Blues are attacking in swathes and defending with impeccable levels of concentration.

History is in Chelsea's favour too, with each of the previous four occasions the club has led the Premier League at Christmas preceding a title win a few months later.

Ridding the wage bill of Mikel John Obi and Oscar's salaries, in addition to the reported £60-million fee received for the latter, has additionally freed up cash to ensure top spot in May by hitting the January sales.

Also-ran

It's doubtful whether Fernando Llorente (who's apparently on his way) is sufficient backup for Diego Costa if he falls to injury. The veteran Spaniard appeared to place little trust in his dwindling agility - which was never fantastic - at Swansea City, simply backing into defenders but not sufficiently holding up possession or finding a colleague.

He's certainly some way short of the Llorente that played under Conte at Juventus.

There are also question marks around the options behind the wing-backs and back three. Currently in reserve are the relatively inexperienced Nathan Ake, Kurt Zouma, who's finally fit after a 10-month layoff, the fading John Terry, and the sluggish Branislav Ivanovic. Too much dependence could be placed on the versatility of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

2. Liverpool

Champion elect

When Philippe Coutinho, in the form of his career, was banished to the treatment room in a November clash with Sunderland, Liverpool went on to win that match and another five following - collecting points at a rate that was enough to win the title for Leicester City last season.

It's a credit to Jurgen Klopp's attack; plugging the Brazilian's void with Divock Origi, who's silencing his doubters hanging around from his horror campaign at Lille, pushing the vastly improved Adam Lallana forward, or fielding Daniel Sturridge, a sublime natural finisher when fit.

How Klopp has drilled the midfield is remarkable as well. Jordan Henderson is playing within his limitations but has conversely become one of the most reliable in his position in the Premier League, and Georginio Wijnaldum has emerged as a vital cog in the engine room through his smart recycling of possession and awareness.

Also-ran

Who goes between the sticks: Tweedledum or Tweedledee? Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius are not a safe pair of hands, and when a goalkeeper is dashing to-and-fro, swatting at crosses like a squat grandmother trying to reach a fan with a feather duster, it's not going to instill confidence in the defenders.

And, all of sudden, Liverpool is becoming the busiest side in England without continental plans on its calendar. The club is in the midst of a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Southampton, and then added to its workload due to its inability to turf fourth-tier Plymouth Argyle from the FA Cup. That replay is slated for Jan. 18, three days after Sunday's Premier League trip to Manchester United that could reveal a lot about the Reds' title credentials.

3. Tottenham Hotspur

Champion elect

Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli, and Harry Kane.

Tottenham Hotspur possesses the strongest spine in the Premier League, and the flesh around it isn't too bad either.

Christian Eriksen has improved steadily after a slow start to the season, now cropping up in spaces between the opposition's backline and midfield and dispatching unerringly accurate deliveries onto Kane or Alli's barnet.

And while Alderweireld earns all the accolades, Jan Vertonghen puts in more tackles and interceptions than his compatriot, and Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are among the best full-backs in the division.

Also-ran

Even though the issue of Kane having no discernible competition up top was evident 18 months ago, the issue lingers. Heung-Min Son is startlingly inconsistent, and £17-million man Vincent Janssen has been an unequivocal flop thus far.

There is a reliance on Kane, as shown in a drab month-and-a-half spell over October and November that coincided with an injury to the 23-year-old.

There are also the doubts from last season's well-worn joke of finishing third in a two-horse race. Spurs were keeping up with Leicester for a long time, but then contrived to fold and lose discipline - see the "Battle of Stamford Bridge." Mauricio Pochettino's side has the occasional and unwanted habit of being streaky.

4. Manchester City

Champion elect

It wasn't long ago that a marquee signing for Manchester City was often an old and overweight player. Vanquishing the torrid memories of Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole, and Bernardo Corradi is the favelados Gabriel Jesus, arguably the most exciting teenager on the planet. He hasn't looked out of place alongside Neymar in the Brazil setup, giving City fans hope that he can form a partnership with Sergio Aguero of intertwining runs and seamless exchanges on counter-attacks.

Obviously, having Pep Guardiola in charge is a plus too. In seven seasons the Spaniard has collected a remarkable 21 pieces of silverware, and although some City players appear to lack the intelligence or nous to exercise his methods, if he can get his ideas across to half of his lineup they can challenge right until the end of May.

Also-ran

The popular criticism of the City squad is of the full-backs; true, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, and Aleksandar Kolarov aren't going to set the world alight, but the true issues lie with the centre-halves.

That dearth was supposed to be addressed by Holger Badstuber until he joined FC Schalke 04 on loan, so, unless Vincent Kompany miraculously remains fit for the rest of the campaign, centre-back duties are left to Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, and Kolarov. It's not exactly inspiring.

There's also concern that's repeatedly justified in the goalkeeping of Claudio Bravo - a man who has the footwork of a holding midfielder, but the aerial command of a mole. Nothing will change: the Chilean's clear deficiencies will be shown up again and again by hounding him when he's in possession and lofting crosses into the box.

5. Arsenal

Champion elect

Olivier Giroud is on song leading the line, and the team's versatility that can befuddle opponents has been strengthened with Alexis Sanchez's successful deployment as a No. 9. With Mesut Ozil in the pocket conjuring passes that can ghost through defences, and a legion of wingers jockeying for position on either side, Arsene Wenger has an embarrassment of riches going forward.

There is also an added mettle to the Gunners. They share a league-high 13 goals between 76 minutes and the final whistle with Manchester City, and only Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have dug in more defensively in that time period. Previously a side criticised for crumbling under the pressure, Arsenal can now grit its teeth and get an ugly job done better than any top-flight rival.

Also-ran

For all the criticism levelled at Manchester City's defence, Arsenal's backline is just as bad. The Gunners have surrendered 22 goals - the same amount as Middlesbrough.

But the obvious Achilles heel is the defensive midfield, where Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin have been incompatible. Mohamed Elneny is absent on his Africa Cup of Nations adventure, and Santi Cazorla is sorely missed there.

Arsenal fans have been frustrated with the club's transfer business, or lack thereof, on numerous occasions in recent years, but their biggest gripe should be with the Elneny nab. The Egyptian isn't a poor player, but his January 2016 arrival coincided with Arsenal being top - just - after a worrisome 3-3 draw to Liverpool. Wenger needed brawn and know-how in defensive midfield, but acquired untried Elneny. Leicester City romped to the title, and Arsenal's issues in that area loiter.

6. Manchester United

Champion elect

It took a while - the No. 10 experiments with Wayne Rooney, the gradual introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, far too many minutes for Marouane Fellaini - but Jose Mourinho has got the system right at Old Trafford.

In a setup which harks back to his Chelsea days, Mourinho has dropped Michael Carrick into the "Makelele role," freeing Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba in the centre which, in turn, has allowed Pogba to develop a blossoming bond with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Furthermore, Manchester United would obviously be significantly weaker if it wasn't for David De Gea. The Spaniard is the best goalkeeper in the league, and the previous seasons would've been more underwhelming if it wasn't for his elasticity saving matches.

Also-ran

The suggestions have been that no defender will be acquired in January and, considering the questionable impressions made by Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo before their recent claims for a starting berth, makes it seem like misplaced confidence from Mourinho. Elsewhere, Daley Blind is prone to an error, and Chris Smalling is struggling with both injuries and earning the trust of his gaffer.

There is also the fact that Carrick and Ibrahimovic have become among two of United's most important components. They have a combined age of 70, so learning on them is a risky tactic - even when Ibrahimovic believes he's conquered England in a matter of months.

In reserve for those roles is fading Rooney and fitful Fellaini.