The world’s most-watched soccer league returns on August 14th, as the Premier League makes its long-awaited return. It promises to be yet another unforgettable season of action in England, as some of the world’s biggest clubs compete for the most prestigious domestic title. But, which soccer predictions should gamblers make for the 2021-22 season?
Race For The Title
Like every season in the Premier League, the prize that all the big clubs will be aiming for is the league title. This season looks to be a wide-open race, with four sides likely to be involved in the race for the title.
Manchester City
The reigning champions will be back once again, as they look to win back-to-back titles. City won the title in 2020-21, which was their third championship in four seasons. However, it has been a summer of change at the Etihad, as legendary striker Sergio Aguero has departed the club. Pep Guardiola will be keen to add another number nine to his squad, as Gabriel Jesus is the only current striker in the squad. Harry Kane is one striker that they have been linked with throughout the summer, but that saga could drag on until the final day of the transfer window.
Phil Foden’s progression continued last season, as the Englishman won the PFA Young Player of the Year. He will once again be integral to their attacking play. Defensively, City look to have found a central defender to fill the void of Vincent Kompany in Ruben Dias, and his fitness could be key to their chances.
Liverpool
The Premier League champions from the 2019-20 season endured a difficult campaign last season. Jurgen Klopp’s season with the Reds was blighted with injury setbacks, most notably in his backline. Virgil van Dijk was undoubtedly the biggest miss for them throughout the season, but the Dutchman should be fit enough to start on the opening weekend of the season.
Ibrahima Konate has been brought in from RB Leipzig, and could be an inspired partner for van Dijk. Liverpool also had problems in the final third last season, as Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane’s goals dried up. Klopp will be hoping that they can rediscover their form to combine again with Mohamed Salah to produce one of the most devastating forward lines in the European game.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel’s first half-season in charge at Stamford Bridge couldn’t have gone much better, as the German led the Blues to a fourth-place finish. Chelsea also ended the season by being crowned champions of Europe after beating Manchester City in the Champions League final. There is every expectancy that the Blues will kick on once again this season.
Chelsea has been difficult to beat since Tuchel’s arrival, as they lost just three league games in the second half of the season. The only concern from a Chelsea perspective will be in the forward line. Jorginho was the club’s top scorer last season with seven league goals. However, Timo Werner remains a vital part of the club’s future plans, and the German looks like a decent bet to score more than the six that he managed last season.
Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led his United team to a second-place finish in 2020-21. There has been certain progression at Old Trafford under the Norwegian, but there is a growing feeling that a piece of silverware is needed this season to vindicate the confidence that the club has placed in him.
Scoring goals won’t be an issue for the Red Devils, as Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford all scored more than 15 goals last season. The addition of Jadon Sancho adds further attacking quality, while the potential signing of Raphael Varane could produce a potential title-winning partnership with Harry Maguire in the backline.
Who Will Win The League?
This could be one of the tightest title races in many seasons, with all four sides having strong claims. The city will be the favourites to win the title after winning with ease last season. However, Chelsea could be the club that goes under the radar, as they look to have the tools necessary to build on their Champions League success.
Battle For European Spots
The battle for the Champions League spots in the Premier League is always fascinating. Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United will lead that race, while Leicester City will be hoping that it will be third time lucky.
Nuno Espirito Santo begins his first season at Tottenham Hotspur with the club targeting at least a Europa League finish, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal must improve on their finish from last season. Unlikely contenders for European places could come in the form of Leeds United and Everton, who both look to have the deep squads necessary to mount a challenge.
Relegation Battle
Tensions may be high at the top of the league table, but there are also high stakes at the bottom of the Premier League. Brentford will enter their first season in England’s top-flight as favourites for the drop, while fellow promoted sides Norwich City and Watford could face an uphill struggle. Existing Premier League sides that could be set for a battle at the bottom include Crystal Palace and Southampton.
Palace parted company with Roy Hodgson, and there will be immediate pressure on Patrick Vieira to play a possession-based style. Southampton ended the previous campaign in terrible form, but in Danny Ings, they have a striker that knows where the back of the net is. We believe that the three teams that will finish the season in the bottom three are Norwich, Watford, and Crystal Palace in 2021-22.
