New managers, record breaking signings and high street shops. The Premier League is back! This season promises to be the best yet, so let’s take a look at how the teams are shaping up.
Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Key Player: Mesut Ozil
Last season’s finish: Runners Up
Prediction: 5th
Arsenal finished as runners up last season, but they’ll be disappointed with their poor run of form after being top of the table at Christmas. The Premier League is getting stronger with other teams strengthening significantly and Arsenal fans might worry that they’ll get left behind. A lack of a top striker is still an issue and without a goalscorer, you can’t see them finishing in the top 4 this season.
Odds: 11/2
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… House of Fraser – Lots of expensive items and nice French stuff, but not as nice as that fancy shop on the Kings Road. Can leave you feeling disappointed.
Bournemouth
Manager: Eddie Howe
Key Player: Jordon Ibe
Last season’s finish: 16th
Prediction: 16th
Most thought that Bournemouth might struggle in the Premier League with their open style of play, but victories over both Chelsea and Manchester United last season proved differently. Jordon Ibe looks to be a good signing and Callum Wilson will want to prove that he’s a Premier League striker after missing much of last season through injury. It’ll be difficult for them and they need more signings, but they should avoid relegation.
Odds: 100/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Uniqlo – Fun to go to and you’ll probably leave with more than you came with.
Burnley
Manager: Sean Dyche
Key Player: Andre Gray
Last season’s finish: Promoted as Championship winners
Prediction: 18th
Sean Dyche will set Burnley up with a hard, grizzled edge, but the Premier League needs more than that. Andre Gray was impressive in the Championship and he’ll be relied upon to score goals for the Clarets. If he gets firing however, he could be a target for the bigger teams in January. The same can be said for Dyche. One of the best English managers around, and he might start looking elsewhere if the club don’t match his ambitions. A tough season likely to end in relegation awaits.
Odds: 100/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Local Nightclub – Lots going on and some colourful shirts, but could be gone by next May.
Chelsea
Manager: Antonio Conte
Key Player: Eden Hazard
Last season’s finish: 10th
Prediction: 4th
This will be a fascinating season for the team from West London. They were so disappointing last year, but Antonio Conte has been appointed and will look to set his own mark on the team. There’s no European football, but this could prove to be a bonus for Conte, as he’ll have more time to spend on the training ground. Eden Hazard will have a lot to prove after his disappointing season last year. Winning the Premier League will be the target and they’re an outside bet, but Champions League qualification will be the minimum and they’re more than capable of finishing in the top 4.
Odds: 5/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Apple – Weren’t massive in the 1990s, but now a huge player due to a terrifying man in charge. The products look good, but often go wrong after a few years.
Crystal Palace
Manager: Alan Pardew
Key Player: Yannick Bolasie
Last season’s finish: 15th
Prediction: 12th
Crystal Palace were a mixed bag last year. They started off so well and found themselves in the European places by Christmas, but Yannick Bolasie’s injury coincided with a dismal run of form. They did reach the FA Cup final however, and arguably should have won it. They displayed relegation form last season, but if they sign a striker, they shouldn’t be in a relegation battle this time around.
Odds: 125/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Hollister – Loud when you walk in and some stylish stuff on offer.
Everton
Manager: Ronald Koeman
Key Player: Ross Barkley
Last season’s finish: 11th
Prediction: 7th
There was a sombre atmosphere around Goodison Park last season after a disappointing season, but changes have been made over the summer. Farhad Moshiri has promised to invest in the side, whilst Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh have been appointed as the new manager and director of football respectively. Much will depend on whether they’re able to keep John Stones and Romelu Lukaku, but Koeman knows how to structure a defence and they should be competing again for the European places.
Odds: 39/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Waterstones – Feel old and traditional, but manage to adapt to modern times.
Hull City
Manager: N/A
Key Player: Abel Hernandez
Last season’s finish: Promoted as playoff winners
Prediction: 20th
Hull are in trouble. As of the time of writing, they have no manager and they’ve signed no players. The owner is seriously ill and is looking to sell and it all looks very bleak of the Tigers. They were promoted via the playoffs, which is also problematic as they’ve had less time to prepare. The team is injury ridden and it’s hard to see them finishing anywhere apart from bottom of the table.
Odds: 1000/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Wetherspoons – Lots of bright shirts and music, but struggles from day to day.
Leicester City
Manager; Claudio Ranieri
Key Player: Riyad Mahrez
Last season’s finish: Winners
Prediction: 11th
Last season’s fairy tale team will be burdened with the pressure of the title of defending champions and Champions League football this time around. However, Claudio Ranieri is a manager who understands the level of expectation and his first objective again will be to avoid relegation. One of their key players, N’Golo Kante has departed, but Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez remain after turning down offers from elsewhere. It’s unfathomable that they’ll retain their title, but they won’t be abysmal. A top 8 finish would be a good effort, but there are lots of good teams this season.
Odds: 30/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Poundland – Remarkably successful, despite not much money going in.
Liverpool
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
Key Player: Phillippe Coutinho
Last season’s finish: 8th
Prediction: 6th
Liverpool fans have a lot to be excited about now that Jurgen Klopp has had a full pre-season with his team. He worked with what he had last season, but he’s now bought in some of his own players which will only benefit the team. Daniel Sturridge has had a full pre-season and his goals will be crucial to any success. No one will want to visit Anfield this season, whilst they should fare better against the top teams in the league. They should be aiming for the Champions League places, but they might just miss out.
Odds: 9/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Abercrombie and Fitch – Has a core following, but pays over the odds when there’s cheaper elsewhere.
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Key Player: Kevin de Bruyne
Last season’s finish: 4th
Prediction: Winners
Pep Guardiola’s arrival ensures that Manchester City head into the new season as favourites. Kevin de Bruyne’s injury enforced absence last season was a devastating blow to the team, as was the injury to captain and talisman Vincent Kompany. They look a different team with the defender playing and Guardiola will look for alternative options if he doesn’t recover. Sergio Aguero is a prolific goalscorer and just like last season, they have the best squad in the league. It’ll be bold to bet against them, but last season showed that anything can happen.
Odds: 5/2
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Marks & Spencer – Average for decades, but now quite upmarket.
Manchester United
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Key Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Last season’s finish: 5th
Prediction: Runners up
Manchester United fans should be very excited for the upcoming season. Jose Mourinho has come in as manager and conducted his transfer business early in the summer. The players that he’s bought in are all upgrades on what was there before, whilst the impending arrival of Paul Pogba for a world record fee will plug the hole in midfield. Mourinho and Ibrahimovic will deflect attention away from Wayne Rooney. They are definitely on the up, but might just miss out on the top spot.
Odds: 3/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Harrods – Lots of high-quality products on offer, but much of it is overpriced. Used to be a lot better than they are now.
Middlesbrough
Manager: Aitor Karanka
Key Player: Alvaro Negredo
Last season’s finish: Promoted as Championship runners-up
Prediction: 17th
Middlesbrough look the most likely of the three promoted sides to survive this season. Aitor Karanka has used his Spanish connections to sign well, as seen by the arrivals of Victor Valdes and Negredo. The latter is a proven goal scorer which is vital in the battle for relegation, whilst Valdes is a safe and reliable pair of hands in goal. They could be in a relegation battle but if Negredo fires, then expect them to be higher up the table.
Odds: 100/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… IKEA – Looks ok from the outside, but has the potential to fall apart at any moment.
Southampton
Manager: Claude Puel
Key Player: Dusan Tadic
Last season’s finish: 6th
Prediction: 9th
This will be a make or break season for the Saints. New manager Claude Puel is relatively unknown, but he failed to win Ligue 1 with Lyon (before the PSG revolution). It could also be a season where time catches up with Southampton. No team can withstand losing their best players each season and both Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle have left for pastures new this summer. Dusan Tadic remains though, Nathan Redmond has arrived and the defence is still intact, so all hope is not lost. They’re a top half team if Puel can get the best out of them.
Odds: 110/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Jack Wills – Fashionable with young people and sell things at high prices that leave their new owners feeling slightly silly.
Stoke City
Manager: Mark Hughes
Key Player: Jack Butland
Last season’s finish: 9th
Prediction: 10th
Stoke will continue on their transformation from hardened outfit to good football team this season. Marko Arnautovic has signed a new deal over the summer, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri will hope to have a better second season in the Premier League. Jack Butland was in excellent form last year, before injury curtailed his season and he has the opportunity to stake a claim for the England starting spot. They haven’t done enough in the transfer window to challenge for the European places, but they will trouble those above them.
Odds: 200/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Boots – Don’t really want to go there and often leave feeling embarrassed.
Sunderland
Manager: David Moyes
Key Player: Jermain Defoe
Last season’s finish: 17th
Prediction: 15th
Sam Allardyce has departed, but more importantly for Sunderland is the arrival of David Moyes as his replacement. He’s desperately looking to rebuild his reputation and he doesn’t look like the man that seemed under pressure at Old Trafford. Moyes sets his teams up to not lose and that’s what’s key to survival in the Premier League. Jermain Defoe highlighted the importance of a goalscorer in a relegation battle last season, but it could be a worry if he doesn’t find the back of the net. They should have enough to survive however.
Odds: 165/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… The Kebab House – Produce rubbish and everyone knows it, but people still return every Saturday night.
Swansea City
Manager: Francesco Guidolin
Key Player: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Last season’s finish: 12th
Prediction: 13th
They finished 12th last season, but the final position papered over some cracks. There’s been a change of ownership over the summer and Fernando Llorente has arrived, but they’re lacking in depth and need to sign another striker. Gylfi Sigurdsson is vital to their fortunes this season. They should have enough to finish above the relegation places, but not enough to be competing for the European places.
Odds: 130/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Topman – Popular with hipsters and occasionally come up with things that no sane person should ever try.
Tottenham Hotspur
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Key Player: Harry Kane
Last season’s finish: 3rd
Prediction: 3rd
Spurs fans will be hoping to build on a successful season that ultimately ended in disappointing fashion. Harry Kane and Dele Alli’s performances will be key to any success and they’ll be hoping to regain their form after a disastrous Euro 2016. They’ve finally made the Promised Land that is the Champions League and Vincent Janssen looks to be a good signing. They’ve got a good squad and they look set to mount another title and top 4 challenge.
Odds: 9/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… H. Samuel – Start with good intentions and a promise of happiness, but you feel slightly ripped off by the end and leave in tears.
Watford
Manager: Walter Mazzarri
Key Player: Odion Ighalo
Last season’s finish: 13th
Prediction: 19th
It’s been another summer of wholesale changes at Watford, but this could be the one where it catches up with them. Quique Sanchez Flores did a superb job in keeping them up last season, but he’s now gone and been replaced with Walter Mazzarri. They’ve kept Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, although they look short in creativity. If the wheels come off at the beginning of the season, it could be irreparable damage to the Hornets’ chances of survival.
Odds: 100/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Pizza Express – Italian origins, but when trouble starts, you can’t find the manager.
West Bromwich Albion
Manager: Tony Pulis
Key Player: Saido Berahino
Last season’s finish: 14th
Prediction: 14th
WBA will be closer to the bottom of the table than the top, but will never be in danger of a relegation battle. Why? Because Tony Pulis is a master of steering his sides to comfortable finishes. One issue for the manager though is Saido Berahino. Interest in him has dropped and he’s more than capable of scoring goals to keep them up, but his mind-set is likely to be called into question again. Their defensive organisation will ensure their survival and there are worse teams in the league than WBA.
Odds: 100/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… Argos – Not particularly glamourous, but find a way of surviving whilst others in their area disappear.
West Ham United
Manager: Slaven Bilic
Key Player: Dimitri Payet
Last season’s finish: 7th
Prediction: 8th
West Ham are a coming force in the English game. The new stadium will enhance their appeal and Slaven Bilic is a good manager. They will look to capitalise on their 7th place finish last year, whilst any success will hinge on Dimitri Payet. Bilic has done well so far in the transfer window, but he’s still looking for that top class striker that the owners have much coveted. They’ll finish in the top half again and the top teams won’t enjoy playing them.
Odds: 80/1
If they were a high street shop, they’d be… New Look – Lots of potential for sexiness, but depends on the weather.