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Manchester City rivals: Which EPL club poses biggest threat to title push?

By Ben Kupiszewski

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: The Manchester City team line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at the Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: The Manchester City team line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at the Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea? Manchester United? Arsenal? A surprise team like last year’s Leicester City? Who can challenge Manchester City for the Premier League crown?

With the start of the 2016-2017 Premier League season about to get underway, it’s time to look at the nemeses. Who must valiant Manchester City overcome for glory? Here’s a ranking, from least to most threatening, of the other clubs in the English top flight.

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Hull City fans hold a banner during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnsley and Hull City at Oakwell Stadium on July 26, 2016 in Barnsley, England. Supporters of Hull want the club’s owners to step down after a disastrous off-season since promotion. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Hull City fans hold a banner during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnsley and Hull City at Oakwell Stadium on July 26, 2016 in Barnsley, England. Supporters of Hull want the club’s owners to step down after a disastrous off-season since promotion. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /

19) Hull City

To say the Tigers of Hull City are in rough shape is to do a disservice to rough shapes. The newly promoted side hasn’t made a single signing to help its impending fight to stave off dropping back down to the Championship. Central midfielder Mohamed Diamé left to play for Newcastle. Former manager Steve Bruce walked out from the club, and less than two days from kickoff, Hull’s still looking for a permanent replacement. Thus, the unenviable job of trying to field a competitive squad with a patchwork backline when Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and the defending champions come to town falls to Mike Phelan.

That’s right. It’s that bad. According to the Guardian, Hull has a squad of 13 fit players, two of which are goalkeepers. The injury bug has decimated the defense. Keeper Allan McGregor, center halves Michael Dawson and Alex Bruce and the right back Moses Odubajo are out for an aggregate 21 months.

They pose no threat to West Bromwich Albion, let alone Manchester City.

Next: No. 18 Burnley