The Premier League has returned for yet another season. However, this time it is even more intriguing. Top class players have joined the league, more talented and experienced managers have taken the helms of affairs and more amendments have been made to ensure the success of the 2017/2018 season. The big question remains: who will win the Premier League title?
First off, which sides are likely to be saying goodbye to the Premiership and getting relegated? Newcastle United are yet to get the players they want. Rafa Benitez is frustrated with the lack of funds to get his summer targets and with two losses; there is only so much the former Liverpool man can take. Brighton & Hove Albion would be targeting surviving the top flight even if its 17th position. However, it seems Huddersfield have set their sights higher.
The three new boys remain the likely sides to return to the Championship come May 2018. Swansea lost their best man Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton recently so they are another potential side for relegation considering that they had to fight hard to retain their top flight status last season. Crystal Palace are another strong challenger for these spots.
The rest of the teams that could comprise the lower rung of the ladder vary from AFC Bournemouth to Burnley, Southampton, and Watford. You can get some fantastic odds at www.online-betting.org if you can correctly pick the 3 who will go down.
The top seven sides seem obvious from the beginning: Chelsea, the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Everton, in no particular order. The uncertainty around transfers (until the window closes at the end of August) makes it difficult to predict, and the top six have very close probabilities of winning the title eventually.
With the Philippe Coutinho situation unresolved and with injuries so unpredictable, Liverpool’s fate come May 2018 is not clear. The defensive liabilities are still clear for all to see. While the attack compares with that of competitors, The Reds would be lucky to make the top four at the end of the season.
Arsenal’s early exit in the Europa League would give them a better standing to challenge for the title but they would likely win more cups at best. Arsene Wenger is the most experienced in the league yet the Frenchman is likely to see his league drought continue. They might retain Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain yet struggle to get that edge that makes champions. A top four finish is not assured.
Tottenham Hotspur almost went all the way last season before messing it up at the very end, one way or another. This season while the club claims their stadium plans are not hindering them in any way, it seems it actually is. Only one player has joined so far but the perception about them is not as strong. The home advantage they enjoyed last season would be a different result when they play from the historically bad Wembley Stadium this term. A top four finish is in order.
The defending champions Chelsea are not oozing as much confidence but they remain strong contenders. Exiting the Champions League at the Round of 16 – Antonio Conte doesn’t particularly have stellar record at the competition – would be more motivation for the title. A top four finish is expected.
This leaves the Manchester clubs as the favourites for the title. With the way Jose Mourinho has started and being the only one, aside Conte, to have defeated Pep Guardiola to a league title, The Red Devils stand the best chance of clinching the title.
