After Liverpool finally broke Manchester City’s stranglehold in 2020 to capture its 19th top flight title and first for 30 years, it has been largely business as usual in the English Premier League. Manchester City finished top again last season to claim its fourth title in five years.
Although Liverpool was the main challenger to City, the destination of the crown never really seemed in doubt. Now Pep Guardiola has strengthened his squad with the signings of players such as Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips. City is a favorite with just about every online sportsbook, including BetNow. But can any other team really have any hope of finishing first?
Liverpool
After dreaming of the quadruple last season, Liverpool fans had to make do with the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, finishing runners-up in the EPL and the Champions League. The Anfield club is the side most fancied to have a chance of knocking City off of its perch – but is there any real hope of that happening?
Everyone associated with the club welcomed the re-signing of Mo Salah and James Milner, but the loss of Sadio Mane could make a lot of difference. A lot of pressure has been heaped onto the shoulders of striker Darwin Nunez, who has arrived from Benfica and will need to hit the ground running.
Tottenham Hotspur
After a shaky start to last season, Antonio Conte was brought in as head coach and won over the crowd as he turned Spurs into a legitimate challenger. Champions League soccer was booked for the coming campaign, and now the fans will be looking for further improvement.
A lot will depend on whether Harry Kane will stay after recent talk of him being tempted away. But Conte has made sure that the squad will be refreshed with the arrivals of Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, and Yves Bissouma, among others. But even with those recruits, the Spurs will do well to push for the title this season.
Chelsea
It is West London that probably has the greater chance of wrestling the Premier League trophy down to the capital. Thomas Tuchel has begun to stamp his identity on his team, and some interesting new arrivals might make all the difference this season.
Losing Antonio Rudiger was a major blow – and entirely down to the uncertainty of ownership. But that has now been cleared up, and Chelsea has done very well in tempting Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge. They could be the reason why Chelsea stays in touch with City this year.
Manchester United
Apparently, there has been a lot of interest in Manchester United in the last few weeks after a convincing pre-season friendly win over Liverpool in Thailand. That seems to be wishful thinking on the part of the Old Trafford faithful as new boss Erik ten Hag has his work cut out, turning the team into winners.
There has been very little to shout about at United in the last few years, and there has been some concern over the new arrivals as well. Ten Hag used his knowledge of Dutch soccer to bring defender Tyrell Malacia to the EPL and also trumped Brentford for the signing of Christian Eriksen. There would seem to be more to do on that front if United is to challenge.
Anyone Else?
Arsenal fans would probably say their club should be included as a challenger. But Mikel Arteta doesn’t seem to have everything quite sorted at the Emirates, so a title run might be a while off yet. The money behind Newcastle should make a difference as well – but not so much to worry about Manchester City.
It does look as though City should win yet another league championship this season. But, even with the standard of players, they have been able to bring in, it is the Champions League that the wealthy owners really want.
