Out of curiosity, what makes you think this? One of the teams will turn out to be a disappointment, probably United but possibly Arsenal (or us). I would say there's very, very little chance that 77 points doesn't get you a CL place, much less 82.
I just think that despite how much we'd all like United to fail spectacularly like last season, unfortunately they have a better manager than last season as well as a way better, if slightly imbalanced, squad. It's not good enough across the board for a title challenge, but it IS good enough to take the race for 4th down to the last 2-3 games of the season. At which point, Arsenal choke spectacularly and lose out (hopefully).
I also don't think we'll see as many surprise results as last season, where Sunderland and Villa beat Chelsea and Cardiff beat City. I know Stoke have already beaten City this season which shits all over the point I'm trying to make, but that's normal for City. They start off poorly, but once they get into their stride they won't be losing to teams 7th and lower.
The top 4 (plus United) are too strong for the rest of the teams this time around. United especially look like they'll be trying to do what we did last season. Compensate for an average defence by going for all out attack. They won't have it easy against the top-7, but the rest should fold.
Which is why I think 5 teams will get very close to, or surpass, the 80-point mark.