With the 2018/19 Premier League campaign just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about who is best equipped to challenge for the title.
Manchester City are the obvious favourites after their record-breaking 2017/18 campaign, but which of their top six rivals are the most likely to put up a serious fight?
Read on for our Premier League title predictions and odds.
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Arsenal
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
20/1 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Huddersfield A (W), Leicester A (L), Burnley H (W), Atletico Madrid A (L), Man Utd A (L)
Biggest signing this summer?
Lucas Torreira
Arsenal have been crying out for a combative central midfield for years, and they may have finally found the ideal man in Torreira. The 22-year-old, who impressed for Uruguay at the World Cup, joins the Gunners for just £26.5m, a relatively low fee in today’s market for a player who could turn out to be the linchpin of Unai Emery’s fresh Arsenal side.
Squawka rating:
5/10
Under new management for the first time since 1996, it’s safe to say Arsenal are an unknown quantity this season. Emery’s pressing style could provide the Gunners with what they missed in the latter years of Wenger’s reign. But regardless of how Arsenal’s approach changes, 2018/19 is likely to be a transitional season.
Emery never finished in the La Liga top four as Sevilla boss, leading the club to two fifth-place finishes and seventh spot during his three seasons in charge (his three Europa League wins rendered those league positions insignificant). A top-four push will be expected at the Emirates, but a title challenge should prove a step too far.
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Chelsea
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
12/1 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Man Utd, FA Cup (W), Newcastle A (L), Huddersfield H (D), Liverpool H (W), Swansea A (W)
Biggest signing this summer?
Jorginho
The faith Chelsea have in their new manager, Maurizio Sarri, is illustrated by the club’s £57m signing of Italian midfielder Jorginho, one of the standout performers in Sarri’s Napoli side last season. Jorginho opted for Chelsea over Manchester City, emphasising the bond he has with Sarri. Guardiola’s interest suggests the 26-year-old is good enough to play for the best side the country – Chelsea may have a gem here.
Squawka rating:
7/10
Chelsea’s pattern of league positions over the last four seasons makes for bizarre reading: 1st, 10th, 1st, 5th. If that pattern continues, the Londoners are set to be crowned champions for the third time in five years. But we all know things aren’t that simple.
Much like Arsenal, Chelsea are difficult to read going to into the new campaign. The futures of many of their stars – including Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Willian – are in doubt. That said, Sarri is likely to restore the current squad’s confidence and add more signings before the window closes, as is the want of any new Chelsea manager. A genuine title challenge seems unlikely for now, but you can never write the Blues off.
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Liverpool
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
4/1 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Real Madrid, UCL (L), Brighton H (W), Chelsea A (L), Roma A (L), Stoke H (D)
Biggest signing this summer?
Naby Keita
Liverpool agreed to sign Naby Keita from RB Leipzig for £48m last summer, so there has been plenty of anticipation between then and now. The Guinean has been excellent in the Bundesliga and is expected to add balance and tenacity to Liverpool’s central midfield, an area of the pitch Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to settle on after a couple of seasons’ of experimentation. Keita managed 60+ take-ons and tackles last season in the Bundesliga. Only one midfielder did the same in the Premier League; that man is Kevin De Bruyne.
Squawka rating:
8/10
The Merseysiders have done well to solve their problem positions early in the transfer market, with Alisson coming in between the sticks, Keita and Fabinho shoring up the midfield and Xherdan Shaqiri providing some much-needed cover for front three. As a result, Liverpool – who finished fourth last term – are arguably the biggest threat to favourites Manchester City.
Of course, it’s worth noting Liverpool haven’t won the league since 1989/90 and have so far failed to break into the top three under Klopp. But the German is now one or two players away from the squad he’s always wanted at his disposal. What’s more, in Mohamed Salah the Reds possess a world-class goalscorer who will be looking to find the net 30+ times again.
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Manchester City
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
4/6 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Southampton A (W), Brighton H (W), Huddersfield H (D), West Ham A (W), Swansea H (W)
Biggest signing this summer?
Riyad Mahrez
After almost joining City in January, Mahrez has now finally made his £60m switch to the Etihad. In the Algerian, City have acquired yet more match-winning quality; another player who can both comply to Guardiola’s system and produce moments of individual magic. The champions now have an absurd level of depth in the forward positions.
Squawka rating:
9/10
City will find it extremely difficult to match their record-breaking 100 points of last season, but such a tally has seen them labelled favourites to win the Premier League again in 2018/19. The title hasn’t been retained since Manchester United won three successive Premier League trophies between 2007 and 2009 – Guardiola’s men are the most capable side of matching that kind of success since.
If the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Leroy Sane can replicate their form of last term, there is no reason City can’t retain the crown. Include the addition of Mahrez, plus more inevitable signings, and you have your most likely champions.
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Manchester United
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
7/1 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Chelsea FAC (L), Watford H (W), West Ham A (D), Brighton A (L), Arsenal H (W)
Biggest signing this summer?
Fred
To aid their quest of winning a first Premier League title since 2013, United have signed a bonafide winner in £47m Brazilian midfielder Fred. The 25-year-old won three league titles and three Ukrainian Cups in five years with Shakhtar Donetsk. Jose Mourinho will be hoping Fred can adapt to the Premier League quickly and form a formidable partnership with Paul Pogba.
Squawka rating:
7/10
In the early stages of last season, United looked as if they were capable of mounting a genuine title challenge. They quickly fell away, however, allowing their noisy neighbours to break all sorts of records. But Mourinho’s men stayed in second place, and a surprise comeback victory at City late in the season proved they have a mental edge on many of their big-six rivals.
Still, United’s squad remains inferior to City’s, and reinforcements are still needed before the transfer window closes if the 20-time champions are to become contenders. Mourinho remains a divisive figure among the Old Trafford faithful, and that lack of togetherness could see United fall short once again.
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Tottenham
Odds to win the Premier League title:
Odds correct at time of writing (27/07/18, 12pm)
16/1 – Bet Here
End of season form 17/18:
Leicester H (W), Newcastle H (W), West Brom A (L), Watford H (W), Man Utd FAC (L)
Biggest signing this summer?
n/a
Tottenham are yet to make a signing this summer, which is as surprising as it isn’t. The Londoners often leave things late but they were expected to change their approach this summer in order to become more competitive. That obviously hasn’t happened, and time is running out for Spurs to improve their squad enough to mount any sort of title challenge.
Squawka rating:
6/10
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have essentially been the Premier League’s most consistent team over the last three seasons, securing three successive to-three finishes. That’s a sign of the quality they already possess. However, a lack of investment this summer, so far, and the improvements Liverpool have made to their squad have, if anything, decreased Tottenham’s chances of building on third place.
Despite being fifth-favourites for the title, it wouldn’t surprise many to see Spurs finish in the top four again. But with another transitional year on the cards as the club moves into its new White Hart Lane-based stadium, winning the title will be a tall order.
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
The post Premier League title predictions and odds: who are the 18/19 favourites after the transfer window so far? appeared first on Squawka News.
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