All around Europe, domestic football leagues have returned, and the new seasons are already underway. While there are big competitions right across the continent, the focus for many fans is on the Premier League in England.
The biggest stars are attracted to this division which is widely considered to be the most competitive in the world. Following the very early exchanges, how have the teams fared?
The Club to Beat
Manchester City won their third Premier League title in succession when they lifted the trophy at the end of last season. Pep Guardiola’s side are the dominant team in the division, and they are clear favorites for another successful defense.
Sportsbooks were highly speculative ahead of last year’s last-minute victory by Manchester City. It really is all to play for and Premier League odds are changing week by week as the teams settle in for the season.
Manchester City have started the campaign well, enough but Tottenham and Arsenal are positioned in the top two positions at the time this article was written. One of the biggest challenges of the season arrived at the Etihad in week two as a strong Newcastle United team faced off against Pep’s men. City came through with a narrow 1-0 scoreline, but the game proved that they are the team to beat once again. However, their two recent losses to Arsenal and Wolves have seen the team giving up prime position in the league.
The Chasing Pack
Arsenal led the Premier League for much of last season, before being overtaken by Manchester City in the final weeks.
Arsenal’s main concern in the opening weeks has been an injury to their main striker Gabriel Jesus. A lack of goals in the early matches could have derailed their title challenge before it even starts, but they soon made up for it with a close victory over Manchester City.
Premier League markets also suggest that Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United could mount a title challenge.
Chelsea then followed up that respectable draw with a worrying 1-3 defeat at West Ham United. It’s early days for new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino, but results will have to improve.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will also be under pressure to deliver in 2022/23. Following significant investment in the squad from the club’s new owners, this is the season where their backing has to bear fruit.
An improvement in results is also required from Manchester United and their manager Erik ten Hag. After a lackluster, 1-0 win over Wolves on the opening day, the Red Devils were equally subdued as they went down 0-2 at Spurs in week two. A 2-2 draw with West Ham currently has them placed at 8th position, however it really still is early doors.
United fans will be expecting a genuine title challenge this season, and the team has to quickly recover.
The Surprise Package?
Brighton and Hove Albion have impressed since they returned to England’s topflight. The most remarkable thing about the Seagulls is their ability to compete, even when they have lost their best players to bigger clubs.
Brighton faced a similar problem at the beginning of this season, with Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo having departed. However, a string of 3 wins out of their most recent 4 games has inspired hope again. Could this be the year that Brighton threatens the Champions League places?
Tottenham Hotspur have also started positively, despite losing their all-time record goal scorer Harry Kane. A 2-0 win over Manchester United in week two suggests this campaign may not be as bad as fans had feared.
Struggling to Survive
Another fascinating element to Premier League football is the battle to avoid relegation. This is another market that the sportsbooks get behind, and there will be options in place right across the season.
The newly promoted teams are always likely to be in danger, so the focus this year is on Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town. All three of those teams lost their opening games of the new season and are likely to be in danger of the drop this time around.
The Best in the World
Right across the English Premier League, there are some important targets to be decided. Behind the title contenders, teams will be aiming to finish in the top seven, which will guarantee a place in European football next term.
The relegation battle will be equally compelling as the weeks go on, and there will be other teams sucked into the scrap, along with those newly promoted sides.
The Premier League is widely regarded to be the best in the world and, whatever happens, we’re in for some thrilling action between now and the end of the season.
