In contrast to the earlier three seasons when it was Manchester Metropolis all the way in which this 12 months’s Premier League is shaping as much as be a extra hotly contested affair.
Whereas we gained’t see the drama of the 2015-2016 season which actually turned the on their head with the workforce as soon as at 5000-1 carrying off the title, possibly we must be getting ready ourselves for a shock or two all the identical.
Already groups who, again in August of final 12 months, had been being touted as high 4 possibles are nicely out of the working – step ahead Spurs and, to a far lesser extent, Manchester United.
However we may be moderately assured that any of the eight groups right here have an opportunity of top-four glory with the sunlit uplands of Champions League soccer to stay up for in 2025-26.
Liverpool
It’s not fairly true to say that right here’s a workforce that may’t put a foot flawed. Plymouth Argyle demonstrated that in model of their shock FA Cup victory. However in his first season making an attempt to fill the large footwear of Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot is making a fairly good fist of it. In early February the workforce discovered themselves firmly established on the high of the desk six factors away from Arsenal with a recreation in hand. If Mo Salah goes on being Mo Salah and the remainder of the workforce continues to excel there can be just one champion.
Arsenal
Because the Gunners sit on the heels of Liverpool there’s little question that Mikel Arteta’s facet have all of it to play for. The arrival of Declan Rice has actually re-energised the facet. Ricardo Calafiori has additionally shored up the defence. The workforce made a significant assertion with their 5-1 demolition of Manchester Metropolis, candy revenge for the victory seized from their grasp by John Stones’s last-minute equaliser earlier within the season. They went into February unbeaten in 14 video games. If they’ll preserve this up then it might simply be doable for them to clinch the highest spot.
Nottingham Forest
Who would have anticipated the renaissance of Nottingham Forest, least of all of the unlucky pub supervisor Beccy Webster who made to her prospects earlier than the workforce’s 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion on February 1st? Whereas it appears unlikely that January and February arrivals Tyler Bindon and Wayne Hennessey will play a significant position it’s good that they’ve strengthened the squad. However, as a workforce that was hovering above the relegation zone final season, this has to go down as a outstanding restoration.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresco definitely appears to have breathed new life into Stamford Bridge and launched and thrilling, free-flowing model of play. Cole Palmer has additionally risen to satisfy the chance by turning into the workforce’s main playmaker. In addition to doing nicely domestically, workforce morale has additionally been boosted by a powerful exhibiting in Europe with an unbeaten six-game run within the league stage of the UEFA Convention League. Very quiet within the January switch window with simply Mathis Amougou in from Saint Étienne and Cesare Casadei off to Torino, right here’s hoping the prevailing squad stays injury-free. As a result of whereas the championship does appear out of attain, the Blues are certainly eagerly eyeing up their prospects for Champions League soccer subsequent season.
Manchester Metropolis
There have so many phrases been written already this season about Metropolis’s catastrophic implosion that we hardly want so as to add to them right here. Seldom has a supervisor skilled the autumn in fortunes that Pep Guardiola has this season. By early February the gulf between Metropolis and leaders Liverpool was 15 factors with the latter having a recreation in hand. Nonetheless, with simply two factors between Metropolis and Chelsea a top-four end is unquestionably simply in attain. Foden and Haaland can be key within the run-in, as will the quite a few signings made in January, together with . So if issues may be solved by throwing cash at them, it ought to all be OK ultimately.
Newcastle, Bournemouth and Aston Villa
Let’s additionally spare a point out for these outsiders who nonetheless have an opportunity to shock us this season.
Regardless of the upheavals at St James Park, they’ve seen some superb performances which see them neck and neck with Metropolis within the race for a top-four end.
Bournemouth has additionally proven that they’re able to massive wins towards rivals with their 5-0 demolition of Forest and a equally dominant show with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle.
Lastly, Unai Emery can be hoping that this may very well be an excellent season for Villa, however they’ll have their work reduce out to rise to the problem.
As to who will end the place, we’ll simply have to attend and see. However, no matter occurs, it guarantees to be probably the most hotly contested run-ins for years.
