The 2019-20 Premier League campaign is nearly here, with only a few days until Liverpool kicks off against Norwich City to begin the season. With many teams coming into this year with different lineups, it will be a battle until the end to lift the Premier League trophy.
Top Four:
First: Liverpool F.C.
The reigning UEFA Champions League winners will be looking for blood this season, as the Premier League title has escaped the club’s grasp for 30 years. Under Jürgen Klopp, the side exceeded expectations last season and won their first Champions League trophy in over a decade. With the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker, Liverpool has plenty of star power to lean on this season. The key to the Reds bringing home the title is consistency, as reigning champions Manchester City have the talent to repeat.
Second: Manchester City F.C.
Pep Guardiola cannot stop winning trophies, winning the past two Premier League campaigns in a row, as well as the past two Community Shield’s. With the side constantly dominating the English league each year, there is no doubt challenging for the title will be in the Manchester club’s horizon. The addition of 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez will add to the world-class midfield Guardiola bolsters. The Citizens will go for their third consecutive title this season, but will finish just short behind the Merseyside club.
Third: Arsenal F.C.
45 million to spend was certainly an understatement, as the London based side have splashed the cash this summer on record signing Nicolas Pepe, defender William Saliba, young forward Gabriel Martinelli, and midfielder Dani Ceballos. Unai Emery has a lot to work with in the front line, with lethal scoring threats in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as an assist machine in Mesut Özil. The Gunners will look to climb out of the Europa League this season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three seasons.
Fourth: Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham were 90 minutes away from ending a lengthy trophy draught last season, before falling to Liverpool 2-0. The Spurs finished fourth last season, and with a single addition in Tanguay Ndombele, don’t look like they will improve. The London side still lacks pace going forward, which will cause issues in breaking down teams that park the bus against them. The club will still enjoy a strong campaign this season, but will continue to grasp at any substantial.
Bottom Three:
Burnley:
Inconsistency will see the Clarets fall this season. Under Sean Dyche the club finished 15th last season, only six points above the drop. Facing Arsenal and Liverpool in the first four games of the season will not help with morale, as well as consecutive matches between Manchester City and Tottenham later in season. Dyche will have a handful this season looking to keep his club in the Premier League next year.
Norwich City:
Championship quality does not translate well to the hard fought year in the Premier League. The newly-promoted side takes on Liverpool in their first match of the season, which will not be the welcome party they were hoping for. The champions of the Championship scored in loads last year, but a Premier League defense is much more challenging to break down and find the back of the net. The back line is this sides weakness, and it will show this year.
Sheffield United:
Having not played in the Premier League since 2006, Sheffield will have a one year vacation before returning to the Championship. United have splashed the cash a little, bringing in Lys Mousset and Oliver McBurnie, but they lack in Premier League quality and depth in their side. The Blades will have to put on a spectacle each night to stay afloat in the top tier English league.
Players to Watch:
Nicolas Pepe – Arsenal
Arsenal’s record signing will hopefully help turn the tides for the North London club. Bagging 22 goals and 11 assists for French side Lille last season, he’ll certainly bring quality to a strong forward line. The Ivorian winger is known for his pace, and ability to beat a defender with the dribble. His ability to hold up the ball for an over/underlap was key for his side last season, and will work wonders with the likes of Lacazette, Aubameyang, Özil, Hector Bellerin, and more in the Arsenal side.
Christian Pulisic – Chelsea
The transfer banned Chelsea will not be seeing any new faces for quite some time, but with Pulisic joining the side after his sign-and-loan back to Dortmund last season, the young American winger will bring life to the Chelsea side. His ability to score has already been shown in preseason, grabbing two over Red Bull Salzburg in Chelsea’s 5-3 win. Pulisic will look to have a breakout year in England.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City
Seventeen goals and 10 assists in 34 appearances last year was a great season for the English winger, who scored City’s lone goal against Liverpool in the Community Shield. Sterlings pace and quality in the final third will be on full display this year, with rumors of Leroy Sane departing there will be more focus on the 24-year-old down the flanks. Sterling has the potential to be one of the Premier League’s top talents, and it will be in his hands to place a name for himself there this season.
