Another Premier League season gets up and running on Friday evening and after a hefty spend so far this summer we are in for a very competitive campaign with a number of clubs fancying their chances of winning the title.
Manchester City beat off all competition last season to regain the title and they will look to make a successful defence, however there are a number of teams who will be looking to take the crown off them this term.
Recent Winners
2020-21 – Manchester City
2019-20 – Liverpool
2018-19 – Manchester City
2017-18 – Manchester City
2016-17 – Chelsea
2015-16 – Leicester City
2014-15 – Chelsea
2013-14 – Manchester City
2012-13 – Manchester United
2011-12 – Manchester City
The Favourites
Manchester City are the odds on favourites to keep hold of their title. They are responsible for the biggest spend of the summer at the time of asking with Jack Grealish joining for £100 million. You could probably argue that City are a striker light but that was the case last season and they won the title. I think they are the team to beat if no more transfer activity takes place but if they do get Harry Kane then it is game over for me. They are worthy odds on shots.
Chelsea are becoming more and more fancied the closer the season gets to starting. The Champions League and Super Cup winners have spent big on Romelu Lukaku and certainly don’t lack for depth in their squad so you would think they are the best placed to knock City off their perch. They are 5/1 to do that and when you consider how defensively solid they have been under Thomas Tuchel and the extra dynamic Lukaku brings to their attack they should run City very close.
Liverpool are the third favourites to regain the title they won a couple of seasons ago. They can be backed at 11/2 to win the title but you’d probably want to know what sort of form Virgil van Dijk is in after his injury before you back them. They have signed defenders so that they are stronger in depth in that department but you would still think he is the key man at the heart of the defence. The other thing they will need to overcome is Sadio Mane and Mo Salah being at the Africa Cup of Nations for a month too which is less than ideal.
The Contenders
It was Manchester United who got the big spending underway when they secured the services of Jadon Sancho for a shade over £70 million. He is an appealing signing but perhaps more importantly they added Raphael Varane to their defence and they now have a world class defensive pairing to go along with their exciting attacking core of players. You sense the title is still beyond United just because City are going again in terms of recruiting but they should be a lot closer to them in terms of points this time around.
Leicester City have flirted with the top four for the last two seasons but have faded late on in the season on both occasions. That has been down to injuries striking and biting them hard at the business end of the campaign however slowly but surely they are acquiring a good amount of depth to their squad, assuming nobody leaves before the end of the month. Europa League football probably isn’t going to help them in the long run but if the ‘main four’ are split up Leicester look the team to do it.
Arsenal have also spent big in the transfer window this summer picking up the services of Ben White from Brighton for £50m to continue their transition from a side who were constantly at the top of the table to one who wants to get back there. They have a lot of work to do though and while they are likely to improve with their youngsters having a year more experience under their belts, and no European football to hinder them, sixth would appear to be the best they can hope for.
Special Offer
OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH 888SPORT AND BET £10 TO GET £30 IN FREE BETS PLUS A £10 CASINO BONUS! PERFECT OFFER TO USE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO JOIN. USE CODE 30F. NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY. 18+ T&Cs apply (See image for significant terms). Gamble Aware.
Best of the Rest
Tottenham Hotspur have plenty to prove this season under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. That appointment doesn’t strike me as a natural fit so it will be interesting to see how they get on. If they are to do anything this season they either need to keep Harry Kane or sell him early enough to not only replace him but use the money to recruit a few other players to give depth to a squad which was devoid of it when they really needed it last season. Just like their London rivals, sixth looks to be their limit this season.
Leeds United had a brilliant first season back in the Premier League last term and with fans filling Elland Road every week they are entitled to think they can go even better this time around. They haven’t signed anyone of note but they do have Marcelo Bielsa for another season which is probably more important than anything. They could be improvers, as could Aston Villa who have recruited very strongly despite the loss of Jack Grealish. Emi Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey provide them with a lot more options in forward areas and you sense their business isn’t completed yet. They could push for Europe.
Outright Betting
I don’t see past the top two being Manchester City and Chelsea. I still think City retain the title but if they sign Harry Kane then that is it away and gone in my opinion while Chelsea look a clear second best to me. There weren’t many sides who picked up the amount of points they did in the last four months of last season and they look even stronger going into this season now that Romelu Lukaku has returned to Stamford Bridge.
We’re not exactly going to get rich on that prediction though so to bump up some seasonal interest I’ll try and pick the third and fourth in the right order too. I see that being Manchester United and Liverpool with United finishing above Liverpool based on their two marquee additions and the fact Liverpool are going to lose Sadio Mane and Mo Salah to the Africa Cup of Nations. I do expect those to be the top four so the 20/1 that the top four ends Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool in that order will do for me.
Tips
Back Top 4 exact order – Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with Boylesports
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2021
