Pep, Jose and Zlatan arriving at Manchester
It has been a summer of change in Manchester, with both clubs bringing in new managers after disappointing campaigns in 2015/16. Manchester City, currently the bookie’s favourites to lift the premiership trophy, priced at 3.25 (9/4), have brought in Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich. From the German league he brought with him Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund, who was unlucky to miss out on Euro 2016 due to a injury late in the season. On the other side of the town, Manchester United, priced at 4,50 (7/2) to clinch the title have brought in former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager José Mourinho along with Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic, who will turn 35 this autumn, are without doubt the biggest transfer deal so far this summer. Expect a lot of emotion when the two local rivals go head-to-head in the season’s first Manchester derby on September 10th.
Chelsea – can the blues bounce back?
Even if Eden Hazard showed some signs of promise during the Euros, Belgium were knocked out by Wales in the quarterfinals. Having signed Hazard’s compatriot Michy Batshuayi, new coach Antonio Conte hopes that the 24-year-old former Marseille striker will boost the Chelsea attack that struggled during most parts of last season. Chelsea are priced at 7.50 (13/2) to win their fifth league title since the turn of the century.
North London challengers – Tottenham and Arsenal
In north London, the bitter rivals Arsenal and Tottenham who finished second and third respectively last season have both made additions to their squads to go all the way this year. Arsenal, who are priced at 7.00 (6/1) have brought in Swiss international Granit Xhaka from the German league to add power to their midfield, while Tottenham have bought Kenyan powerhouse Victor Wanyama from Premier League rivals Southampton. Spurs are priced at 8.00 (7/1) to win the title, despite not winning it for 55 years.
Leicester, Liverpool and other outsiders
It seems a bit strange to suggest that the defending champions will struggle to challenge for a top spot when they have managed to hold on to some of their key players (Vardy, Mahrez and Schmeichel) from last year’s campaign. The bookies offer 29 times your stake (28/1) if you fancy Leicester to win their second league title in a row.
In Liverpool, the Jurgen Klopp revolution continues with the additions of new goalkeeper Loris Karius from Mainz, Cameroonian centre back Joel Matip from Schalke and 30 million-pound-signing Sadio Mané from Southampton. The Merseyside reds are right now priced at 9.00 (8/1) to win their 19th league title.
Next in line after the seven main contenders are West Ham United who are moving into the London Olympic Stadium this season. With players such as Euro 2016 sensation Dmitri Payet and Andy Carroll in the squad the Hammers could be an outsider to count on this season. Being priced at 81.00 (80/1) they could be a pick for the brave.
All prices are taken from Bet365
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