Dominic Fifield: Leicester City

This prediction is delivered with the caveat that I was one of those sceptics who envisaged a season of toil and, ultimately, relegation for Leicester in the wake of their appointment of Claudio Ranieri, and is offered up in the hope it will not now jinx them. But their campaign can become the most remarkable ever witnessed in the revamped Premier League. Ranieri’s side have the momentum, belief and underlying quality, as demonstrated so emphatically at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday. Their confidence will propel them until they belatedly realise the trophy is tantalisingly within reach though, by then, they will hope the other contenders have been cramped by their own anxieties.

Tottenham Hotspur have been superb, but they have cup commitments, at home and abroad, which may blunt their edge. Manchester City boast the squad and the pedigree, but they already appear distracted by imminent managerial upheaval and have been hit badly by the loss of Kevin De Bruyne, their most consistent creator this season. The Champions League may draw their focus and, regardless, they are always only one pinged Sergio Agüero hamstring from fizzling out. Arsenal can pose a proper threat, particularly if they beat Leicester at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but they have most to fear: this was supposed to be their year after so many near-misses. No one thought Leicester would come anywhere close. It is good to acknowledge that, last summer, I was hopelessly wrong.

Dominic Fifield’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Andy Hunter: Tottenham Hotspur

Leicester City are the team of the season, delivered the result of the season at Manchester City and end their season with what appears on paper a less complicated run-in than their nearest rivals. But having had a sneaking suspicion for Mauricio Pochettino’s team for several months it seems remiss to change horses with Tottenham Hotspur having won six games in succession. Spurs have momentum and, like Leicester, a clearly-defined approach that most players appear to buy into. Crucially, they possess one of the most astute managers in the Premier League and his reluctance to buy for the sake of it in January – even taking into account the collapsed deal for Fulham’s Moussa Dembélé – reflected rare and welcome trust in the players at his disposal. Keeping Harry Kane fit is, of course, a prerequisite with no other proven alternatives in attack but Spurs fans have been worrying over that for an age. He is fit, he is scoring and he leads a fearless young side who must sense the opportunity.

Andy Hunter’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

David Hytner: Leicester City

I’ve been campaigning for predictions to be abolished this season, on the not unreasonable premise that the results of every weekend have routinely made mugs out of anybody who attempts them. Who could even have tipped Leicester City to stay up with any great certainty, on the eve of the season? Not me. But there has been a fair amount of arm-twisting on this exercise and so I’m going to make a grand statement that I will surely regret: Leicester are nailed on to win the title. What Claudio Ranieri’s team do is simple. They defend in numbers, usually very robustly, and they wait, before snapping with venom on the counterattack or after mistakes. Everybody knows what they will do but it matters not. Nobody can stop them, partly because they rarely adapt their own tactics and, consequently, play into Leicester’s hands and partly because Leicester’s momentum and execution is now so irresistible. Apologies in advance, Leicester fans.

David Hytner’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Jamie Jackson: Leicester City

Saturday’s 3-1 hammering of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium is confirmation that Claudio Ranieri’s team are the real deal. It proves the Foxes are growing stronger as their campaign enters its defining phase. They may yet wobble but there is too much quality in their ranks for them not to gather enough points from the last 13 games to be crowned champions of England for a first time.

And take a look at the opposition between Leicester and a thrillingly romantic triumph that is unlikely to be seen again in most people’s lifetimes. Arsenal (on Sunday), Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Sunderland, West Ham United, Swansea City, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea.

Arsène Wenger’s side apart, Leicester face no other championship contender between now and mid-May. They hold a five-point advantage and may never have another stab at claiming sporting immortality. This is Leicester’s chance and they should seize it.

Jamie Jackson’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Amy Lawrence: Leicester City

Considering Claudio Ranieri’s first ambition at the start of the season was 40 points and there are 39 still to play for, it still feels risky to stay aboard the Leicester bandwagon. So many bumps to ride in the weeks ahead. Can everyone stay fit? Will a sudden attack of the yips take hold when they least expect it? Is Robert Huth a genuine messiah? But still, leaning towards Leicester is irresistible. The nature of last weekend’s soaring win at Manchester City was very convincing. The fact very little seems to have been able to dent their collective confidence and high-energy game, and the lack of cup distractions, could work in their favour. The years of observing how fiercely cruel sport can be means there is logic in a more traditional choice. Leicester currently don’t make things seem logical, though.

Amy Lawrence’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Barney Ronay: Manchester City

Leicester have been the best team in the league, are in supreme form and provide a stirring lesson in team-building and unity of purpose. Tottenham, the only Premier League club to run a transfer profit in the last five seasons, would also be worthy (in every sense) winners. But Manchester City were my tip at the start of the season* and are still grudging favourites given the power of the squad, enduring quality of Sergio Agüero and the fact Petr Cech is the only player at any of the other three front runners to have been involved in a Premier League title run-in. Against this Manchester City have some problems: the defence, the destabilising effect of managerial change, Kevin De Bruyne’s knocked knee. Vincent Kompany’s return could be key.

*Disclaimer: I also picked Leicester to go down and Memphis Depay – yes, that Memphis Depay – as young player of the season.

Barney Ronay’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Louise Taylor: Leicester City

Why? Because they have Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. Because they are bold enough to play two up front. Because they know that accurate long balls can be devastating weapons. Because they realise that possession is not always king. Because their centre-halves excel at the defensive basics. Because snobbish and complacent rivals cannot cope with their supposedly “retro” tactics and pacy counterattacking incision. Because their unity and team spirit is something special. Because Nigel Pearson did a wonderful job last season and the fabulous Claudio Ranieri is the right manager at the right time for this team. Because Leicester are not in Europe but Tottenham, possibly their biggest rivals, remain in the Europa League. Because injury has removed Vincent Kompany from defence at Manchester City where Yaya Touré has lost focus and David Silva looks tired. Because Arsenal could win it but Arsène Wenger is a slave to philosophy who, deep down, possibly suspects it is better to travel than actually arrive.

Louise Taylor’s team from the top four. Photograph: The Guardian

Paul Wilson: Tottenham Hotspur

I don’t say that with any confidence – though I think Spurs will do well – but I have no desire to jinx Leicester at this late stage. I tipped the Foxes for relegation at the start of the season, and they seem to be coping admirably, so I neither wish to be accused of changing horses in midstream or being the bandwagon jumper that brings bad luck.

As for the team of the top four, you only have to look at the league table for the answer. As Claudio Ranieri said after the last win at Manchester City, Leicester have a true team mentality, they work as an 11 and fight for each other on the pitch. Hence the five point gap. It would be easy to decorate a fantasy line-up with a Sergio Agüero or a Mezut Özil, but that would be to miss the whole point.

Paul Wilson’s team from the top … one. Photograph: The Guardian

Ahem … how all our writers predicted the table at the start of the season

1 Chelsea

2 Manchester United

3 Arsenal

4 Manchester City

5 Liverpool

6 Tottenham Hotspur

7 Stoke City

8 Everton

9 Swansea City

10 Southampton

11 Crystal Palace

12 West Ham United

13 West Bromwich Albion

14 Newcastle United

15 Sunderland

16 Aston Villa

17 Bournemouth

18 Norwich City

19 Leicester City

20 Watford