The Premier League kicks off again this weekend as 20 clubs vie to be crowned champions, chase those coveted European spots, and battle it out to stave off relegation - but how is each tema shaping up?
Arsenal are hopeful of finally toppling their rivals after missing out by two points last season, while Liverpool and Chelsea are under new management, and Erik ten Hag is under a new regime at Manchester United. Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle will also be in the mix, while Ipswich Town could be the surprise package on their return to the top flight after 22 years away.
They will also need Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in top goalscoring form to ease the burden on Bukayo Saka while Gabriel Martinelli also requires a big campaign after a nine-goal drop-off last season following his 15-goal haul in 2022-23. With the addition of long-term injury victims Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia and Boubacar Kamara to return, Emery’s options are bolstered still further. It could be difficult this season to re-produce what want on last term - and any injury to Ollie Watkins will leave a big void - but there’s a long-overdue buzz back about Villa Park.One to watch: Fabio Carvalho
Fabian Hurzeler attracted admirers at St Pauli, but the inexperienced coach, 31, will soon sink or swim in his opening fixtures. The Seagulls have been shrewd in the market, but the loss of another key player in Pascal Gross is a tough pill to swallow.Biggest departure: Dominic SolankeOne of last season’s surprise packages, Andoni Iraola managed to turn a difficult start around to get the Cherries playing some standout football and comfortably ward off a relegation battle.
Since then, a huge chunk of Palace's starting XI have been linked with moves away - including Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Eberechi Eze and Sam Johnstone. It's not often Palace have so many big clubs wanting their players, but Oliver Glasner will be hoping to avoid a mass exodus so he can kick on from last season.
Yet, you get the feeling that Dyche brought stability to the team last season when it could all easily have fallen apart and they’ve made some good signings in this window so far. Jake O’Brien from Lyon is a very good centre-back and Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli is a clever winger. It’s a big step up though, and it doesn’t get much tougher than their opening game against Liverpool. Time will tell whether they face a battle against the drop or if they can upset the odds.Biggest departure: Enzo Maresca/Kiernan Dewsbury-HallThe Foxes are odds-on to make an immediate return to the Championship - and there’s good reason for that. Manager Enzo Maresca quit to take over at Chelsea taking the Foxes' most influential player - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - with him.
Liverpool have a new manager and there’s been a lot of change but there’s still confidence they’ll be up at the top end of the table and challenging for Champions League places at the very least. There’s some concern among the fanbase about the lack of signings while their rivals have been busy in the market but Slot and the club don’t seem panicked as he still gets to know the squad he has available to him and still time to bring in new arrivals.
Defence will be key to ten Hag’s approach because United will continue to have less possession and will be under pressure. Ten Hag must show he can shore up their sieve-like backline and the additions of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will be central to these hopes.
Alexander Isak is the key man and needs another 25 goal season and Bruno Guimaraes had to stay fit and creative. The defence has to be tightened up with Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento the new full backs with Kieran Tripper’s future in doubt. With Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White looking sharp in pre-season, there’s every reason to think the club might escape a relegation battle this season.Biggest departure: Che AdamsSouthampton arrive back in the Premier League in much better shape than two years ago, when they ended up going through three managers in a disastrous campaign which saw them finish bottom.
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