The new Premier League season is approaching fast. Although fans won't initially be allowed into stadia in the UK, we're looking forward to seeing how the new campaign begins and ultimately plays out across the next eight months…
Much like playing online casino keno, the Premier League is renowned for entertaining. It's a worldwide attraction for soccer fans, and showcases the sport's top talent. And, with clubs' recent transfer activity across the league, Premier League fans can look forward to seeing the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, William Saliba, and even perhaps Thiago Alcantara and Lionel Messi playing for Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, respectively.
The Premier League season kicks off on Saturday 12th September…
Despite the postponement of both Manchester clubs' matches on the first weekend (against Burnley and Aston Villa) due to their European tournament involvement, Premier League fans have a few big fixtures to watch out for.
Newly promoted Leeds United – who are back in the top-flight after 16 years away – travel to current champions Liverpool. They'll face a Jurgen Klopp side who enjoyed a scintillating campaign last year, with the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Virgil Van Dijk, and goalkeeper Alisson providing a stern test for the PL new boys.
Another promoted side, Fulham, take on Arsenal at Craven Cottage. The two London clubs will have very different objectives for the upcoming season, but the former will be looking to get one over on one of the capital's ‘bigger' sides. Two of last season's biggest flops face off on the first weekend, with Tottenham Hotspur welcoming Everton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The other opening Saturday fixtures include Crystal Place v Southampton, West Ham v Newcastle United, and West Brom v Leicester City. The Monday Night Football (or soccer) pits Brighton against Chelsea and Sheffield United against Wolves.
Who will be looking to finish first this season?
Despite their lack of transfer business so far, Liverpool will naturally be trying to retain their first Premier League title and make it two-in-two seasons by May next year. The potential signing of box to box midfielder Thiago Alcantara should add another dimension to an already tenacious and talented Liverpool midfield.
Frank Lampard's Chelsea will want to at least challenge for the title this year, if not outright win the league. Snatching prolific German striker Timo Werner away from Liverpool earlier this summer will likely prove to be an outstanding move in the transfer market, given Werner's 91 goals in 222 Bundesliga appearances.
Manchester City will no doubt be highly motivated to reclaim their crown as the Premier League's best side away from Liverpool. Despite critics of Pep Guardiola's side arguing that City have been somewhat ‘figured' out – especially by the Premier League big guns – the Spaniard's silky possession game will still outplay any Premier League side on their day. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Everton, and Manchester United will all be looking to push on from last season and at least cement themselves in the top six, whilst Brendan Rodger's Leicester City or Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves will undoubtedly be the ‘dark horses'.
Who could surprise us? And who will be heading back to the Championship?
The three promoted sides of Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, and Fulham will all be seeking safety by May. Going one step further and gaining mid-table security may be on their minds, but survival in the Premier League will be their primary aim.
Then you have the stagnating mid-table sides; those who have avoided the drop for a number of years now but have struggled to do anything more. This plateauing form can, and will, eventually desert certain sides (as AFC Bournemouth proved last year) and end in relegation.
Burnley, Aston Villa, and Brighton may be in for a tough 2020/21 season, and if any of the newly promoted sides hit the ground running, achieving safety may prove harder than first thought…
We'd tip Southampton or Crystal Palace to be surprise contenders in and around the top seven this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton ended the 19/20 season strongly, whilst Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace have the squad, on paper, to achieve more than they have done over the last few seasons.
