The Premier League kicks off for its latest installment this Friday, as newcomers Brentford host Arsenal. Many new faces will be on display as the Premier League rolls into its 30th season since its inauguration in 1992.
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All 20 teams head into the new season with dreams and ambitions of their own. While the usual suspects – Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea- will again go all guns blazing to secure the title. The newly-promoted clubs – Norwich City, Brentford, and Watford will be content if they can extend their stay in England’s top division. However, any team can beat others on the day, which makes the EPL unpredictable. It also makes it more lucrative to bet on the Premier League, given the uncertainty surrounding almost every match. The bookies have revealed the odds of winning the Premier League 2021/22, so let’s check our expert opinion on what the final league table might look like.
The bookies consider Manchester City the odds-on favourite to win the Premier League again this season. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are the next favourites to lift the title, while Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal stand an outside chance. Here are our top 5 picks to win the EPL in 2021/22.
The bookies’ odds-on favourites to win the title, Manchester City, are truly a class apart from the rest of the competition. For a brief period last season, it appeared as if Pep Guardiola’s rampant winning machine had run out of gas, and City found themselves reeling in the bottom half of the table. However, Guardiola and co. turned things around quickly, going on a record-breaking winning streak to win the Premier League title comfortably. Even without a proper striker, City was efficient in attack and, thanks to a much-revitalised defence, secure at the back. With the League’s MVP Kevin De Bruyne leading from the front, a supporting pack of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus, and now new signing Jack Grealish is enough to make any opposition sweat.
Rumour has it that Manchester City isn’t done at the transfer market just yet, with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane a primary target. Although it is expected that Portuguese maestro Bernardo Silva might be on his way out of the club, they would be virtually unbeatable if City can manage to bag Harry Kane. Their supremely talented squad and vastly experienced coaching staff are arguably the best in the country. Although it is rare to see the bookies have an odds-on champion before the season’s start, Manchester City deserves that tag.
The winners of the UEFA Champions League last season, Chelsea knew that despite their success against Manchester City last season, they would need something more to sustain a title charge over 9 months. Manchester City still has the better team on paper, and while Chelsea can certainly outdo them on their day, winning a league title is about consistency throughout the year. Fully aware of the same, Chelsea has decided to splash big on Inter Milan striker and Serie A champion Romelu Lukaku. While the deal hasn’t been made official yet, it is widely believed that it is a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
Lukaku played an instrumental role in carrying Inter Milan to the Scudetto last season, a former Chelsea player and truly established himself among the very best in world football. His arrival makes Chelsea’s offence much more potent than it was with Timo Werner operating centrally. Kai Havertz’s rise in recent months was also great news for Chelsea, as was Jorginho’s brilliant Euro campaign. Chelsea will be in a perfect position to fight for the EPL trophy if they can keep Thiago Silva fit or find another quality defender before the transfer window slams shut.
After a far-from-the-ideal campaign, last season, Liverpool was expected to strengthen in the summer to try and reclaim their lost crown. After signing talented defender Ibrahima Konate early in the off-season, Liverpool has failed to live up to the expectations and hasn’t made any significant moves whatsoever. The loss of Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield is also significant. While youngster Harvey Elliott’s pre-season exploits excite the Liverpool faithful, they know that the club hasn’t shown enough ambition in the transfer market. It would be a bold prediction to back Liverpool to win the title, but one must consider a few things.
Firstly, they have one of the best managers in the world, Jurgen Klopp, who would be highly motivated to lift his club back amongst the title challengers. Moreover, the return of Virgil van Dijk from injury is a monumental boost for the reds, which struggled to contain their opponents last season. Also, Thiago Alcantara’s promising finish to last season means he almost has a ‘new signing’ aura around him still. Combined with all that, if Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah can wreak havoc down the wings, as usual, Liverpool can aim for the EPL summit realistically.
The bookmakers say Manchester United appears undervalued and underestimated, although they are only the fourth-strongest contender for the 2021/22 EPL crown. After all, the Red Devils finished second behind champions Manchester City last season, boasting the second-best scoring record in the division. They had some problems that needed to be addressed, and the club has done a good job in the transfer window.
The arrival of Raphael Varane improved United’s defence significantly. Most importantly, his experience and habit of winning trophies is a culture the club wishes he would teach his teammates. The signing of exciting winger Jadon Sancho is a real statement of purpose. If the former Borussia Dortmund man can live up to his price tag, an attack involving Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and himself will be among the most feared in the EPL. There is much uncertainty regarding star midfielder Paul Pogba’s willingness to continue with the club. If that matter can be resolved, there is no reason why Man United cannot realistically pip their cross-city rivals to the title.
The Foxes shocked the world in 2016 when they won the Premier League title against all odds and proved their success was not a fluke. Although they haven’t quite hit the heights of their EPL victory, an FA Cup success against Chelsea last season and another big win against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield is testimony that Leicester City is here to stay. They quietly had a pretty solid transfer window, picking up Boubakary Soumare from French champions Lille and the rapid Patson Daka from RB Salzburg. They also welcomed veteran English full-back Ryan Bertrand from Southampton.
Under Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City has become a force to reckon with and especially difficult to beat at their home. The 2 strikers upfront, Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho, combined to form a very potent partnership. They were also able to retain the services of Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, and if they can manage to keep hold of the creative James Maddison, they will have a seriously good squad at their disposal. A title push would still be an ambition too far-fetched, but they’ve pulled off greater stunts before! If you have free bets waiting to be used, consider taking a flyer on the foxes.
The top 4 finish is always one of the most interesting races to watch out for towards the business end of the season. Last season, Leicester City looked set to book a Champions League berth for themselves but was dramatically beaten by Liverpool and Chelsea. Here’s our prediction regarding the top 4 finish:
Unsurprisingly, the consensus is that Manchester City should once again pick up back-to-back EPL titles. Their strength in every department on and off the football pitch is almost frightening, and any team would have to punch well above their weight to even challenge them deep into the season. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool should complete the rest of the top 4, as there remains a gulf in class between them and their regular competitors Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leicester City. Especially if Tottenham loses Harry Kane and Arsenal fail to sign James Maddison, they will find it difficult to secure a top 4 finish.
Another exciting season of Premier League football awaits! Place your bets today.
