It’s fair to say this is one of the most eagerly anticipated Premier League seasons of all time, especially as the 2021-22 campaign sees the return of the fans!
We can all look forward to full stadiums and rocking atmospheres, plus there is the added intrigue of new managers, big money signings and the Euros impact.
Hold on to your hats, as the Premier League roller coaster is about to take off for another 10 months of goals, controversy and talking points.
City Make a Statement in Title Defence
Having comfortably won the title last term, Manchester City have no intention of standings still and have paid out the biggest transfer fee in Premier League history, with the capture of Jack Grealish.
It might not end there either, with Pep Guardiola still hopeful of persuading last season’s Premier League top scorer, Harry Kane, to move to the Etihad.
But just how sharp will City be? They will have the hangover of last season’s Champions League finals defeat, whilst the majority of their squad feature at the European Championships.
HE'S HERE!
We are delighted to announce the signing of @JackGrealish on a six-year deal.
Welcome to City, Jack!
#ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/5Y3gMREmKL
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021
That might offer some early season hope to their rivals, with Chelsea and Manchester United looking best placed to take advantage of any City slip ups, but you can see why the champions are 5/8 to retain the title.
Having shored up things at the back, the only thing Thomas Tuchel ‘s squad was lacking last season was a goalscorer and they look like signing one of the best.
Romelu Lukaku is set to put pen-to-paper on a second spell with the Blues and there’s the added bonus for Chelsea that the Belgian has a point to prove on his return to the Premier League.
Fresh from fan protests over the planned European Super League, Man Utd’s owners have put their hands in their pockets to appease the supporters and brought in two European heavyweights.
After four successful years in Germany, Jadon Sancho has returned to his homeland and is ready to make an impact in the Premier League.
Raphael Varane meanwhile, could be the solution to the Reds Devils’ shaky backline and punters may be tempted by the 8/1 on offer for Utd to finish top in May.
Liverpool Most Likely to Contend
Liverpool fans will be forgiven for not feeling confident of another title challenge this term, having seen their rivals spend big in the transfer market.
The Reds have seen Georginio Wijnaldum leave the club to join PSG, while just one face has arrived at Anfield – former RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
But it’s the players returning to full fitness that will feel like new additions, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all raring to go after long-term problems,
Those returning players should make a big difference and make Jurgen Klopp’s men the most likely team to mount a challenge outside of the three mentioned above. The Merseysiders can be backed at 11/2 to win the title and 1/4 to finish in the top four.
Leicester showed in the Community Shield that they are still capable of challenging for the top four, but the pre-season injury to Wesley Fofana could be real setback to their Champions League hopes.
North London Duo Need to be Realistic
Arsenal and Tottenham have slipped off the pack in recent years and the fans are having to reassess their hopes and targets.
Spurs will start the campaign with another new manager – Nuno Espirito Santo – and with the likelihood of losing their main man. Meanwhile, Arsenal have added a much-needed centre back in Ben White, but still look a few pieces short of full squad jigsaw.
A top-six finish should be their main target for this term and anything better would be a bonus, but the fans might not see it that way! Arsenal are 11/10 and Tottenham 23/20 to finish in the top six.
Saints’ Relegation Fears Grow
Not many managers see their side lose by nine goals on two separate occasions and still keep their job, but it shows how committed Southampton are to the Ralph Hassenhuttl project.
The fans patience though could be tested this season, having seen Danny Ings move on to Aston Villa and no major new arrivals as yet, with the Saints 4/1 to be relegated.
Hassenhuttl’s men finished three places outside of the relegation zone last term and it looks like being another season of struggle ahead, as it does for another south-coast club.
Brighton, who are available at 13/2 to be relegated, are preparing for a fifth straight season in the top-flight and their Premier League status could face its severest test yet.
If Graham Potter is to continue the Seagulls success story, he will have to hope for good fortune on the injury front and the returning Tariq Lamptey could be crucial to their hopes.
Of the three teams that came up – Norwich, Watford and Brentford – the Canaries look to have the best chance of staying up, mainly due to their Premier League experience two years ago.
They may have lost Emiliano Buendia, but the loan capture of Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour looks like an inspired move and he could be the difference between staying up and going down.
*All odds correct at time of writing