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The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every walk of life and football is no different. In the ‘new normal’ players do not get the chance to recuperate. They have to get going to earn their worth. The previous statement might be a stretch but it is true. After all, Premier League will return to action in 49 days since the end of the 2019/20 season.
Online bookmakers are spoilt for options as the new season approaches. Clubs have been busy so far in the transfer window.
Just what can punters expect to happen as the new season gets underway in a couple of days.
How Clubs Have Fared in the Transfer Window So Far
A lot has happened since then. Arsenal won the FA Cup by defeating Chelsea and also laid claim to the Community Shield at Liverpool’s expense. To the Gunners’ credit, they defeated a full-strength Liverpool team with youth team and out of favor prospects.
While Arsenal have impressed in cup competitions, they have been poor in the league. Their defensive issues caught up with them while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led from the front. They have added to their ranks, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are their future at the back.
While Willian will add much-needed experience in attack. The Brazilian joined on a free transfer from Chelsea and proved last season he can still mix it up with the best. His addition will complement club captain Aubameyang’s performances. The Gabon international has managed 22 goals in his last two seasons and would be gunning to take home the Premier League Golden Boot this campaign.
Liverpool stuttered in cup competitions during the 2019/20 season, focusing on ending their 30-year Premier League drought. The Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup were sacrificed in their pursuit. Jurgen Klopp has a far tougher task in retaining their title. Winning the Premier League is one thing, maintaining their heroics is a far different animal.
The Reds will hope that Mo Salah and Sadio Mane continue their goalscoring feud. The African duo managed 19 and 18 goals respectively last campaign, down from their tally of 22 the year before. Moreover, the Reds will hope Roberto Firmino rekindles his goal scoring form. The Brazil international scored his only a lone goal at Anfield in their Premier League-winning campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have strengthened their ranks. They have added six players to their first team, spending €223.2 million to get their priority targets. The transfer window still has a month to run and they are closing in on more additions. Frank Lampard’s men finished in top-four, equal on points with Manchester United but with a far poor defense.
They have added to their attack with exceptional pieces of business, while Ben Chilwell reinforced their troublesome left-back berth. Thiago Silva’s free transfer adds much-needed experience in the heart of the defense. Lampard continued the Blues impressive top-four run. While Chelsea have not impressed in the Champions League, they have participated four times in the last five years.
Manchester United have strengthened their top-four chances with the purchase of Donny van de Beek’s contract. The Dutchman is their first signing of the season, but will not be their last. A central defender is on their priority list. While Jadon Sancho remains an aspirational purchase that they should get their hands on. United have only finished in top-four twice in the last five years, but are tipped to keep their place in the coming season.
Title Race and Top Four
However, it is Manchester City who are tipped to regain the Premier League title. Most betting sites in Nigeria have confidence in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Klopp and his men are following the Light Blues, and, according to Wazobet, are valued at 3.10 to retain their title.
In the past five seasons, Chelsea have only finished in the top four three times but with their magnanimous transfer spend, they are expected to finish in third place according to the bookmakers.
Their odds of winning the Premier League are 11.00, while the Red Devils are valued at 15.00 to win the title. The Gunners should finish in top-six and they are priced at 34.00 to claim their thirteenth English top-flight title.
Golden Boot
After missing out on the Golden Boot to Jamie Vardy, Mo Salah is backed by the bookies to claim his third award. His odds of claiming this personal feat stand at 6.20.
The bookmakers back Harry Kane to fight it out with the Egyptian King. The England captain has almost the same odds of finishing as top scorer in the Premier League. Like Salah, he too has two Golden Boots to his name.
Jamie Vardy is a longshot at 15.70 odds but all of it will depend on how good a season Leicester City have. More importantly, does Brendan Rodgers continue at the King Power Stadium?
There is also confidence in Aubameyang to continue his goalscoring exploits at the Emirates. The Gabon international will be in the running for the award barring injury concerns. He is priced at odds of 6.65, after finishing a goal behind Vardy last season, and joint top the year before.
New Chelsea front man, Timo Werner, will be in the whereabouts of the Golden Boot. He finished the 2019/20 season with 28 Bundesliga goals and is tipped to continue that form under Lampard. He will have competition from Manchester City duo, Sergio Aguero and his partner in crime, Raheem Sterling. Aguero was marred by injuries this season but is a good pick to score goals in the effortless City team. Sterling continues to improve on his game, improving on his goal-scoring exploits in successive seasons.
Werner’s chances, according to Betway, are valued at 10.60. Below him stands Raheem Sterling at 12.30.
Relegation battle
The relegation battle will be interesting as well. Bookmakers have tipped Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Fulham, and West Brom to battle it out for survival. After going gung ho in the transfer market last season, Villa have reigned in their spending. The purses have shrunk in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and their best bet is to keep hold of Jack Grealish.
Newcastle United are in a similar conundrum. Steve Bruce gave a good account of himself last season but the Magpies needs a prolific forward. Joelinton has failed to live up to the mark as Jonjo Shelvy finished as top scorer with six goals.
However, it is Fulham and West Brom who are tipped to return to the Championship at the first time of asking. According to NetBet, The Cottagers are priced at 2.00 to drop, while the Baggies are in the vicinity at 2.05. Meanwhile Aston Villa and Newcastle have odds of 2.70 and 3.20 to be relegated.
Valuable tips
Based on analytical data over recent times, we can expect some trends to keep their usual trend of happening in the coming season.
Liverpool are a colossus at Anfield and we expect that trend to follow suit.
Manchester City are goal specialists and 29 of their 38 games saw O2.5 goals last season. The Citizens remain a formidable goal shout and that statistic is more than likely to remain the same again this season.
Arsenal continue to struggle away from home and saw just about the poorest away from sides in the top half last term (only 4 wins in 2019/20 season). The away struggles for the Gunners date back to the latter days of Wenger. Mikel Arteta has improved the team since his arrival but we expect it’ll take a while before the Gunners overcome their away fright.
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