Manchester City’s reign of dominance in the Premier League is like nothing previously seen in the 136-year history of England’s top division.

The Abu Dhabi-owned club is hunting a record-extending fifth straight title under Pep Guardiola and his squad of superstars when the season starts on Friday.

The world might be about to discover if it comes with a catch.

So much is hanging over City heading into what promises to be a tumultuous year for the serial champions, whatever happens on the field.

Can City hold off Arsenal for a third season in a row — and perhaps a Liverpool team under new management, starting its post-Jurgen Klopp era?

Will this be the final year in charge for Guardiola? The generational coach’s latest contract expires at the end of the season, and he is wavering about whether to sign a new one.

Is this also the last year for Kevin De Bruyne, the playmaker who has bestridden the Premier League for nearly a decade?

Perhaps the big question, though, is: Will City be punished after being hit with 115 charges for allegedly breaking the Premier League’s financial rules in what could be one of the biggest potential scandals in English soccer?

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The hearing, long-awaited by rival teams and soccer fans alike, will reportedly take place in late autumn — nearly two years after the welter of charges landed at the door of the Etihad Stadium.

City has vehemently denied any wrongdoing over the allegations, some of which date back to 2009.

With Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester punished heavily for far fewer infractions, should the laws be applied equally and without prejudice, it could spell disaster for England’s perennial champion.

If found guilty, penalties for City could include a deduction of points or even expulsion from the Premier League.

Despite all that hanging over its head, City has just kept on winning, with its fourth successive title coming in May to surpass the three consecutive titles won by Huddersfield in the 1920s, Arsenal in the 1930s, Liverpool in the 1980s and Manchester United, twice, during Alex Ferguson’s long tenure.

How long this streak continues depends much on Guardiola, who is heading into his ninth season in charge, and said over the summer he doesn’t rule out extending his contract.

“When we arrive at the competition, my energy rises again,” he said. “I’m fully excited for this season, because I’m seeing things that I like. It’s a new challenge to break our own records, now we’ll see the depth of our own ambition.”

Guardiola’s presence will always give City the edge over its rivals, even if Arsenal looks in prime shape to end its wait for a league title, one that stretches back to 2004. The Gunners have been City’s biggest threat the past two years — the title race went to the final day last season — and should be again in Mikel Arteta’s fifth season in charge.

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“We have to continue to do all the right things that we are doing, and just make those small margins that are going to be able to win the tournaments,” Arteta said.

Then there’s Liverpool, embarking on a new era under Arne Slot, the successor to Klopp. Slot needs a fast start to ensure there is no hangover from Klopp’s departure, and resounding friendly victories over Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla were a step in the right direction.

“We both like the fans to come into the stadium and see a team that plays with a lot of energy, that plays good football,” said Slot on the similarities between his and Klopp’s style.

Slot, who arrives from Feyenoord in the Dutch league, is one of five new managerial appointments in the Premier League, along with Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton, Julen Lopetegui at West Ham and Steve Cooper at Leicester.

In a surprising show of faith, Erik ten Hag kept his position at United, a club undergoing upheaval in its leadership, and one which might need a few more years to effect the turnaround needed to make it a title challenger again. The league season opens at Old Trafford on Friday, when United hosts Fulham.

No one does upheaval quite like Chelsea, and Maresca inherits a chaotic situation with more than 50 players on the books after another free-spending window snapping up young talent from around the globe.

Chelsea’s spending of around 100 million pounds ($127 million) since the end of last season doesn’t reflect what’s typically happening elsewhere in the league, with transfer activity quieter than normal in what feels like a period of austerity, as clubs look to meet the competition’s sterner financial rules. Liverpool hasn’t made a single signing yet, Manchester City has just one in Brazil winger Savio, and the only new face at Arsenal is Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.

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That could change with three weeks left in the window. However, the majority of team sheets won’t look too different to last season, even if some of the figures in the dugout do.

Crucially, Guardiola is still there, though. And City — led by star striker Erling Haaland seeking a third straight Golden Boot award — is still the title favorite, even if there might be some dark clouds forming on the horizon.

Agencies via Xinhua