After two months without domestic soccer, Liverpool plays host to Norwich City on Friday to kick off the 2019-20 Premier League season.
Norwich City, Sheffield United and Aston Villa were promoted from the Championship. Norwich City and Aston Villa return to the top flight after a three-year absence, while Sheffield United returns after a 12-year hiatus. They replace Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield Town, which were relegated last season. Cardiff City and Fulham were sent down to the second tier after just one season back in the Premier League, while Huddersfield spent two seasons in the top flight before the boot. With Cardiff’s relegation, this will be the first season since 2010-11 without a side from Wales.
Manchester City has won the league the last two years, and is the favorite again this season. Liverpool once again should make a strong challenge, and Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United could throw their names in the mix after strong summers.
Tone at the top
You would need to be bold to wager against Manchester City, which has won the league in back-to-back season and has claimed the last four domestic trophies across competitions. Man City returns nearly the entire squad from a squad that amassed 98 points, the second most ever in Premier League history, behind only its own 100-point haul a year prior.
Liverpool’s 97 points last season were the most ever for a team that did not win the league, and it likely has itself to blame for not lifting the trophy. Liverpool did not make any notable signings, instead opting to run it back with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dijk and company — the same group that won the Champions League. Liverpool likely will go neck-and-neck with City again, hoping to get over the hump and win the league for the first time since 1989-90.
Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United round out last year’s top six, and all figure to finish there again this season. With its new signings and in the second year under manager Unai Emery, Arsenal’s main objective will be to finish in the top four and secure a spot in the Champions League, a competition it has watched on television the past two years.
Tottenham has come close to the league title under Mauricio Pochettino and recently was Champions League runner-up, but the team has yet to lift a major trophy under his stewardship. Tottenham, Arsenal, United and Chelsea, which is entering this season under new manager (and former club legend) Frank Lampard, will be vying for the top four, and any of the four could challenge Liverpool or City at the top of the table.
Middle of the pack
Wolverhampton, Everton and West Ham finished seventh, eighth and 10th last season, respectively, but all likely believe they have a legitimate shot at the top six after their fruitful summers. Securing European soccer would be a huge success for all three.
Leicester City and Crystal Palace are perhaps trending downwards, both losing their star defenders to United. Those teams, along with Watford, Southampton, Burnley, Bournemouth and Newcastle United, figure to round out the middle of the table.
Fighting for survival
Staying in the Premier League is always the existential threat for newly promoted teams and clubs at the bottom. That likely will be the reality for Norwich City, Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Brighton. If those clubs can avoid relegation, this season will be a success.
Notable newcomers by club
Manchester United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Daniel James
United gave new life to its defense, making Maguire the most expensive defender in the world. He and Wan-Bissaka should start immediately.
Arsenal: Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, David Luiz, Gabriel Martinelli
Despite a reported 45 million pound budget, Arsenal made a big splash in the transfer market, most notably bringing in winger Pepe. It also added much-needed reinforcements in defense and midfield. Ceballos is on loan from Real Madrid, while Saliba was loaned back to Saint Etienne for this season.
Manchester City: Rodri
Chelsea: Mateo Kovacic (spent last season with Chelsea on loan)
Both sides stayed relatively quiet, but secure important players in the middle of the field. Although he is not a new signing, Chelsea also welcomes American Christian Pulisic, whom it bought from German side Borussia Dortmund in January.
Tottenham: Tanguy Ndombele, Giovanni Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon
After not making a signing in two years, Tottenham had perhaps its biggest-ever transfer window. Ndombele and Lo Celso should immediately create a new-look midfield.
Everton: Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph
West Ham: Sebastien Haller, Pablo Fornals
Wolverhampton: Raul Jimenez, Patrick Cutrone, Leander Dendoncker
These midtable clubs showed a change of attitude this summer, and should be able to make a legitimate challenge at the top six with these new signings.
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