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

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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YORK, ENGLAND – JULY 09: George Friend of Middlesbrough runs with the ball during the pre season friendly match between York City and Middlesbrough at Bootham Crescent on July 9, 2016 in York, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /

15) Middlesbrough

Promoted from the Championship, Middlesbrough is probably slated to survive the upcoming campaign. Its recent high profile signings boost its chances. Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and United States No. 1 Brad Guzan will compete with Dimitrios Konstantopoulos as Boro’s main man between the sticks. On the offensive side, Boro also now boasts the likes of exciting Danish winger Erick Fischer and 30-year-old hitman Alvaro Negredo to pair with a stout defense that only conceded 31 goals in the Championship last year, a league best. However, marquee purchases are not always a recipe for success in the Premier League — go ask Queens Park Rangers.

Expect Boro to park the bus against Manchester City, forcing the Blues to scrape out a hard three points in matches.

Next: No. 14 West Bromwich Albion