Welcome back reading my ramblings on yet another EPL season that looks promising and exciting! I majorly took the summer off, enjoying the World Cup and racing, recharging batteries and getting ready for EPL. Things will be very much in the mix for many clubs in the opening weeks as many players get back in condition after the toll of a gruelling summer. This is bound to affect results in the short term. Here are some of my predictions for the coming season regarding the leading clubs.
Champions Man City will be hard to beat again. They have the best squad in the league which will be further reinforced by the arrival of star winger Mahrez. Mendy, their record-breaking defender which was mostly unavailable last year will be fit from day 1 and will certainly bolster their back four. There should be no ill-effects of the World Cup for much of the squad as most of them did not go through the latter stages. The Citizens gave a great account of their excellent disposition by comprehensively beating Chelsea in the Community Shield and should be in the Top 2 again.
The main danger for Man City will be Liverpool. It seems the Kops are getting very close to ending their championship drought and this season puts them in the best position in years to do. There is no reason to think that star striker Salah won't keep scoring week in week out. The Egyptian fits perfectly under the attacking system devised by manager Klopp and forms the best attacking trio in the league with the likes of Firmino and Sane. Add to this Sturridge who can definitely be an able substitute for scoring if he stays healthy. The Reds have also been bolstered by the arrivals of Keita and Fabinho as well as keeper Alisson who should add solidity to their defence, their main weak point in the past years. Liverpool are in for a great shout till the end and it's a toss-up between them and City for the title in my opinion.
Man Utd look in trouble at the moment. Mourinho is not happy and that does not bode well as this usually signals his departure or sacking is near. There can be no encouragement from their pre-season form and the fact that the moody manager is the one making the headlines is enough to tell you that the Red Devils won't win the title this year. Sanchez will need to hit top form from the start after a quite disappointing opening spell last year. The main question is whether he needed time or if he simply does not fit into Mourinho's defensive system. There might be tectonic changes at Old Trafford starting at the top and I think the most the Red Devils can secure is a UCL spot.
Tottenham will be the club feeling the most from the World Cup as their numerous Belgian, English and French players are still on the recovery route. I expect the opening weeks to be very hard on them and that could mean the end of their title dreams right there. It is almost certain that Harry Kane won't be banging goals from opening day. The other bad news is the lack of major signings during the summer. Spurs are bound to yet another European spot but I cannot seem them lifting the trophy in the end.
Arsenal's new manager Emery will have to adapt to the rigors of the EPL and he will be considered a success if he can land a UCL spot. The Gunners have been banging in goals in pre-season and I expect strker Aubameyang to seriously put a challenge on the most goals marker. The Gunners won't win the championship but if Emery can find his footing, the squad is talented enough to achieve consistently good results.
Chelsea will also be with a new manager after the departure of fellow Italian Conte. They have lost keeper Courtois to Real Madrid which should be a big blow at the back. I don't think they will be good enough to end in the top 4. Blues fans should not be expecting much this year.
Win Title: Man City
UCL: Liverpool, Tottenham, Man Utd
Champions Man City will be hard to beat again. They have the best squad in the league which will be further reinforced by the arrival of star winger Mahrez. Mendy, their record-breaking defender which was mostly unavailable last year will be fit from day 1 and will certainly bolster their back four. There should be no ill-effects of the World Cup for much of the squad as most of them did not go through the latter stages. The Citizens gave a great account of their excellent disposition by comprehensively beating Chelsea in the Community Shield and should be in the Top 2 again.
The main danger for Man City will be Liverpool. It seems the Kops are getting very close to ending their championship drought and this season puts them in the best position in years to do. There is no reason to think that star striker Salah won't keep scoring week in week out. The Egyptian fits perfectly under the attacking system devised by manager Klopp and forms the best attacking trio in the league with the likes of Firmino and Sane. Add to this Sturridge who can definitely be an able substitute for scoring if he stays healthy. The Reds have also been bolstered by the arrivals of Keita and Fabinho as well as keeper Alisson who should add solidity to their defence, their main weak point in the past years. Liverpool are in for a great shout till the end and it's a toss-up between them and City for the title in my opinion.
Man Utd look in trouble at the moment. Mourinho is not happy and that does not bode well as this usually signals his departure or sacking is near. There can be no encouragement from their pre-season form and the fact that the moody manager is the one making the headlines is enough to tell you that the Red Devils won't win the title this year. Sanchez will need to hit top form from the start after a quite disappointing opening spell last year. The main question is whether he needed time or if he simply does not fit into Mourinho's defensive system. There might be tectonic changes at Old Trafford starting at the top and I think the most the Red Devils can secure is a UCL spot.
Tottenham will be the club feeling the most from the World Cup as their numerous Belgian, English and French players are still on the recovery route. I expect the opening weeks to be very hard on them and that could mean the end of their title dreams right there. It is almost certain that Harry Kane won't be banging goals from opening day. The other bad news is the lack of major signings during the summer. Spurs are bound to yet another European spot but I cannot seem them lifting the trophy in the end.
Arsenal's new manager Emery will have to adapt to the rigors of the EPL and he will be considered a success if he can land a UCL spot. The Gunners have been banging in goals in pre-season and I expect strker Aubameyang to seriously put a challenge on the most goals marker. The Gunners won't win the championship but if Emery can find his footing, the squad is talented enough to achieve consistently good results.
Chelsea will also be with a new manager after the departure of fellow Italian Conte. They have lost keeper Courtois to Real Madrid which should be a big blow at the back. I don't think they will be good enough to end in the top 4. Blues fans should not be expecting much this year.
Win Title: Man City
UCL: Liverpool, Tottenham, Man Utd
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