Will City and Liverpool fight it out again? Or will another club–say Hotspur or ManU–give it a go? Let’s do a rundown of what’s in store.
After a wild summer of transfer rumors surrounding the English ‘giants,’ the 2019-20 Premier League season is finally underway! Widely regarded as one of the most competitive and entertaining football leagues on the planet, the Premier League will again warm hearts all over the world … and it will do it for the next 11 months!
VAR is in play! (photo, Metro)
For the first time in history–and after much fanfare and discussion–referees in England will rely on Video Assistant Referees. The hope is that VAR will enable a fairer style of football.
Last year, football lovers enjoyed one of the tensest title races in recent history. Manchester City beat Liverpool to secure the ultimate prize and in a photo-finish style. This season is expected to offer more excitement–with passion and uncertainty, too.
Will anyone hijack Manchester City’s bid for their fourth consecutive Premier League title? That’s the million-dollar question. Pep Guardiola’s crew has been terrorizing the English top tier for the past three years–establishing dominance that hasn’t been seen in Europe’s top-five leagues since Guardiola’s Barcelona side.
Manchester City
Placed as top favorites to claim their fourth successive league title, Manchester City began defense of their Premier League crown with a stunning 5-0 away win over West Ham United. But Guardiola saw his side denied victory by Tottenham Hotspur in the second matchday after Gabriel Jesus’ 92nd-minute goal was disallowed by VAR.
Although they currently trail the league toppers (Liverpool) by two points, Bet365 rank City as 1/2 (1.5) favorites to defend the title.
Liverpool
Even though Jurgen Klopp refused to make a single major acquisition this summer, Liverpool have started the new season off on the right foot. The Reds have secured back-to-back victories at the beginning of the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, scoring five goals while conceding two in the process.
Fresh off a Champions League title, can Klopp overtake City in Premier League play? (photo, BBC)
After missing out on the Premier League title last season–despite achieving a club-record 97 league points–the Merseyside giants are now 5/2 (3.5) candidates to win their first league title since the 1989-1990 campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur
Strengthened by the arrivals of Ryan Sessegnon, Giovani Lo Celso, and Tanguy Ndombele, Tottenham Hotspur may have their say this term in the English top tier. The Champions League runners-up last season have been a regular in the Premier League top four for four years running.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are now given 20/1 (21.00) to make a big step forward and put an end to Manchester City’s dominance in England.
Manchester United
While Bet365 consider United a huge underdogs in the title run-in (21/8 – 29), ManU will stake their claims for the ultimate award. Fresh from a commanding 4-0 home triumph over Chelsea in the opening matchday, the Red Devils are looking to interfere in the title race.
The signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire will surely affect the landscape of United’s game.
They are expected to give stability and energy to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fragile backline, which allowed 54 league goals last season–the worst record in club history.
Will Chelsea Be in the Hunt?
Although it’s hard to expect a more dramatic title race than the one Manchester City and Liverpool arranged last season, there’s no doubt that whoever wins won’t be known until May. That will make for a most exciting campaign!
And for those thinking that one of these sides is a gamble worth taking, sports betting offers help maximize your profit. While Manchester City remain in the driver’s seat, Liverpool’s determination to wrap up the first Premier League title in the 21st century could prove decisive this time.
The title run-in will probably come down to the Citizens and the Reds at the very end unless the other contenders manage to keep up the devastating pace.
Frank Lampard brings tenacity to Chelsea (photo, Beyond the Posts)
Meanwhile, severely weakened by Eden Hazard’s departure for Real Madrid, Chelsea will face a daunting prospect of securing a top-four finish under new boss Frank Lampard.
The Blues are given 5/2 (3.50) to achieve one of four Champions League slots as Lampard chases his first triumph as Chelsea’s manager. The Pensioners have started the new season with a whimper, not a bang, having suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Then came a 1-1 draw by Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
What’s It All Mean?
There’s nothing in the world like the game of football, and there’s nothing in the game of football like the Premier League. Settle in, my friends, and enjoy the action!
