Having won the Premier League title for the last three years, Manchester City will once again be the team to beat in England’s top flight this season. There are a handful of teams looking to wrestle the trophy from City’s tight grip this season in what is set to be another intriguing campaign in a competition that attracts interest from around the globe.
City Will Take Some Stopping
With manager Pep Guardiola guiding City to a famous treble last season, the Citizens have emerged as one of the real ‘to beat’ forces in European football. As of 21st July, City is understandably the 5/6 favourite in outright football betting markets to win the Premier League with Betway for what would be a fourth year running. A squad that claimed the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League titles last season, it will be interesting to see if City has the hunger to go again in the new campaign.
The loss of skipper İlkay Gündoğan over the summer transfer window will have come as a blow for the European champions. Seeing the German international’s contract expire at the Etihad Stadium, the City hierarchy was eager for Gündoğan to sign fresh terms. However, the 32-year-old decided to take on a new challenge at the back end of his career and will be looking to enjoy more success in his new surroundings of Barcelona.
Mateo Kovačić has big shoes to fill following his arrival from Chelsea but the Croatian international has a wealth of Premier League experience and comes into arguably the best-assembled squad in European football. City will once again lay down the gauntlet and it will be up to the rest to try and leapfrog this impressively talented squad at the Etihad.
Arsenal Eager To Learn From Last Season’s Heartbreak
At one stage eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, Arsenal might still be wondering about what might have been last season. Once again, the Gunners seem to run out of steam at the most crucial time of the year, just to see Man City sprint past them in the race for the title. It was another tough lesson for manager Mikel Arteta and his side but the North London outfit look ready to go again this season.
The Gunners made a blistering start to last season after the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League places in the previous campaign. Responding to setbacks before, Arsenal know they are capable of bouncing back again. After a busy summer in the transfer window, Arteta will be hoping he has found the missing pieces of the puzzle to finally get their hands on the Premier League title after over 20 years of waiting.
Expect Response From Blues And Reds
Chelsea and Liverpool both missed out on a top-four finish last season but expect both of these Premier League giants to come back stronger this term. West London outfit Chelsea tinkered with managers throughout the last campaign, with three coaches sitting in the dugout at different stages of the season. Now with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, the Argentine tactician has been tasked with getting the most out of a squad that has had heavy investment put into it over recent transfer windows.
Liverpool will also be looking to go again and build on what was a strong end to last season. Going undefeated in their last 11 games of the Premier League campaign, Liverpool got back to their former selves after what was a poor start to last season by the high standards they have at Anfield. The Reds certainly look capable of making a stronger start and battling for the title once again.
Not forgetting Manchester United who will also look to progress after another full pre-season with manager Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils battled for third place last term and should be in contention for the title next spring. Newcastle United shocked many by securing Champions League football for this season and it will be interesting to see if manager Eddie Howe can take the Magpies to the next level. Tottenham Hotspur will also be competing for a top-four place but perhaps a title challenge is too soon for manager Ange Postecoglou in his first season at the helm.
It looks set to be another enthralling Premier League campaign in 2023/24 as clubs across the country try to knock City off their perch at the top of the English game.