The battle for the Premier League title is more intense than ever this year with Manchester United leading the way at Christmas and Manchester City hot on their heels.

The second half of the season promises to be an equally fascinating contest, while United are also gearing up for the knockout stages of the Champions League and City have the Europa League in their sights.

Greater Manchester football fans have never had it so good with high-flying Bolton Wanderers under Owen Coyle also enjoying a top-class season.

And Wigan Athletic face a battle of their own just to retain their Premier League status.

Here, MEN Sport’s Neil Barker, Rob Dawson and Jon Macpherson speak to 12 legends of the game who reveal their thoughts on how the rest of the season will pan out for our four top-flight clubs.

Brian Horton

City’s league position says it all, although they’ll have been disappointed to lose against Everton.

They have to finish in the top four and, with the money they’ve spent, it’s a very achievable target.

United will be there or there- abouts and Sir Alex will expect to win it from the position they’re in. They haven’t been at their best this season but top teams can win games without being on top form.

I’ve been very impressed with Bolton and Owen Coyle has got them playing some good football.

Wigan try to play as well but sometimes you need to play winning football if you’re going to stay up.

CITY: Top two would be incredible and a great chance in the Europa League

UNITED: Top but can’t see past Barcelona in the Champions League

BOLTON: Top-half finish

WIGAN: Staying up

Asa Hartford

WITH the money City have spent it’s top four or bust. It’s obviously difficult, with a lot of new players, to get the team to gel straight away but they’re still more than capable of finishing in the top four.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see United win the title because they’ve been there so many times before. Chelsea are a threat but there seems to be some problems at Stamford Bridge and United are in a great position.

I haven’t been surprised with Bolton’s success. They’re good enough to finish in the top half and that would be a very successful season for a club of Bolton’s size.

Likewise, Wigan would see finishing fourth from bottom as a success.

CITY: Top four and a good chance in the cups

UNITED: Premier League Champions

BOLTON: Top half finish

WIGAN: 17th

Andy Ritchie

IF United can keep their back five fit they’ve got a great chance of winning the title. They’re defending very well and Rio has been superb since he’s come back.

Rooney needs to start scoring but keeping the back five fit is even more important.

City will be there or there abouts but I don’t think they’re ready to break into the group of teams who will be challenging at the end of the season like Arsenal, Chelsea and United.

Johan Elmander’s form has been a great fillip for Bolton and Owen Coyle has got them playing very well.

I really, really hope Wigan can stay up because it’s great for the region to have four Premier League teams but I think they might struggle.

CITY: Qualifying for Champions League

UNITED: Champions

BOLTON: Top 10 finish would be fantastic

WIGAN: Staying up - just

Joe Corrigan

CITY’s aim this season was to get into the top four and that’s a realistic target. They’ve played very, very well away from home but have struggled a bit at home, like we saw against Everton on Monday night.

United haven’t been great this season but they’re top of the league, and that’s what it takes to win titles.

Bolton and Wigan haven’t got the same financial clout as United and City which makes the job Owen Coyle has done even more impressive.

Wigan will be down at the bottom and I hope they survive.

CITY: Top four and a good run in the Europa League

UNITED: Challenging for the title and the Champions league

BOLTON: Top-half finish

WIGAN: Staying up

Jimmy Armfield

THE battle for the title is a tale of two cities with Manchester and London toughing it out.

United and City are in direct competition with Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea. The key is trying to finish above United because they have been there and done it many times before.

I just wonder about City especially in terms of a serious and sustained challenge.

Nowadays it’s not easy for  clubs such as Bolton, Wigan and my own team Blackpool.

Owen Coyle has done very well at the Reebok and under Roberto Martinez Wigan at least try to play football, even though they are not getting the results. It’s an important second half of the season for both these clubs in contrasting ways.

CITY: Should be good enough to qualify for the Champions League and could do well in the Europa League

UNITED: Sure to be there or thereabouts in race for title and Champions League

BOLTON: Definitely capable of finishing in the top-half of the table

WIGAN: Staying up is going to be tough but experience is on their side

Colin Hendry

THERE is no stand-out top-class team in the Premier League this season. It is not a great league even though there have been some great games.

City lack a leader in my view which was in evidence during Monday’s defeat by Everton.

You can never really bet against United because of their experience and the position they are in.

The Bolton manager Owen Coyle is a top-class person and he is working wonders at the Reebok, his side has turned in some great performances and are up where they are on merit.

Wigan have been up and down and they could have it all on to stay in the Premier League this time, they need to start winning more games.

CITY: Top four but possibly a better bet for success in the Europa League

UNITED: First or second - likely champions

BOLTON: Good enough to stay in the top half

WIGAN: Could have their work cut out ot stay up

Malcolm Macdonald

I DETECT a bit of turmoil at Chelsea and United will cash in on this. The stage could be set for Wayne Rooney to come to the fore with some very important goals.

City are trying to do big things far too quickly, they need to be more patient.

Bolton have impressed me, they are very well organised and seem to have shaken off the Big Sam image with Owen Coyle doing so well.

I fear for Wigan this time, though, and if they sell Charles N’Zogbia in January that’s like throwing in the towel.

CITY: Fourth at best but possible cup contenders

UNITED: Potential champions but better teams are in the Champions League

BOLTON: Could be Europa League qualifiers

WIGAN: Bottom three

Bruce Rioch

UNITED still have so many players who epitomise the manager and every year they are the team to beat.

They know better than most what it takes to win a title and I cannot look beyond them.

City do not look as settled as their rivals but I do feel Roberto Mancini is doing a very good job.

I am pleased to see Bolton doing well. Owen Coyle has taken his playing pedigree into management – he is just so enthusiastic. They are playing with great confidence.

Wigan are struggling and it’s vital they are able to retain Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia and grind out results.

CITY: Top four and could challenge in the Europa League

UNITED: Up there in title race, Wayne Rooney’s form could have a big bearing

BOLTON: On course for top 10

WIGAN: Fourth bottom finish would be great

Mickey Thomas

CITY will buy again next month and I expect them to be up there at the end of the season. Anything other will be a massive disappointment.

United are unbeaten in the league and I think they have enough in the locker to win the title.

It will be a big ask for Wigan to stay up and they need to improve their home form.

Bolton have a great chance of finishing in the top six if they can avoid injuries.

City: Top four and Europa League winners

United: Premier League and Champions League winners

Bolton: Top 10

Wigan: Just avoid relegation

Alan Gowling

CITY have the money and the players but not a team. They are inconsistent and there are too many big egos.

United haven’t been at their sparkling best but are still up there. They always come good in the second half of the season and could be champions.

Bolton have had a good first half to the season and are a fit side. They might slip one or two places but they will still be up there.

Wigan can’t afford to lose players like N’Zogbia and need to add more quality.

CITY: Top four and possibly Europa League winners

UNITED: Champions and could win Champions League if Barcelona are knocked out by somebody else

BOLTON: Could make Europe but a top-10 finish would represent a great season

WIGAN: Just avoid relegation but depends on January transfer window

Gary Pallister

CITY have done well considering the off-field problems with Carlos Tevez and other players not being happy. They will be up there but the title will be just beyond them.

United have shown great resilience this year and that is what’s carried them. Wayne Rooney is looking sharper and Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are playing well together.

Roberto Martinez needs to get his Wigan players playing more consistently and showing more resilience if they are going to stay up.

Owen Coyle is a contender for manager of the season. Bolton are one of four or five teams who could get into Europe.

CITY: Top  four and have a deep enough squad to win the Europa Cup

UNITED: Champions and could get to  Champions League final BOLTON: Will need to keep Elmander and Cahill to challenge for Europe

WIGAN: Could be going down

Alex Stepney

City have got the players but it’s moulding them into a team. They don’t have the experience of winning the title and they can’t lose any more home games.

United have done well against the teams around them which they will need to continue.

Bolton have been absolutely brilliant and the job Owen Coyle has done is fantastic.

Wigan are struggling and they need to be more consistent and win their home games.

CITY: Could miss out on Europa Cup but top four finish.

UNITED: No reason why they can’t win the Champions League They will win the Premier League.

BOLTON: They have got the players to get into Europe

WIGAN: Just stay up