Find out who our writers are backing to succeed in the 2018/19 English Premier League.
Premier League champions and Community Shield winners, Manchester City, will attempt to do what no team has managed since 2009 and record back-to-back title triumphs. The last side to win the Community Shield and then go on to clinch the Premier League title were Manchester United in 2010-11.
Despite what recent history suggests, Pep Guardiola’s side are firm favourites to retain their title at 13/20, with Liverpool next on the betting at 4/1. Last season’s runners-up Manchester United are 7/1 to go one better this season, while Chelsea, who have won the Premier League twice in the last four seasons, are 12/1. Tottenham are priced up at 16/1 and Arsenal 20/1.
This is who our writers predicted to win the league:
Benedict Ngwenya says Manchester City – (13/20)
Pep Guardiola is not showing any signs of slowing down. He’s done some good business in the transfer market, roping in former PFA Footballer of the Year, Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian is joining a side that won the league by a whopping 100 points and their coach is already on his third season with the Citizens, while Chelsea and Arsenal have new coaches who still need to settle in.
As far as other rivals are concerned, Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho has already started complaining about a disastrous pre-season potentially affecting the upcoming campaign in a negative way. Liverpool have a great side but they’re light for cover with inexperienced backup players, especially from the defensive point of view. Tottenham Hotspur haven’t really made any decent signings to bolster a side that will play UEFA Champions League season as well. Back City to defend a Premier League title for the first time ever!
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
Jesse Nagel says Manchester City – (13/20)
Boring, I know, but I simply can’t see any other team winning the title. They’ve kept all of their key players, stuck with their manager, and the mere fact that some of their players are still adjusting to the Premier League makes them even more frightening. Kevin De Bruyne is Ballon d’Or worthy at the moment and I’m expecting another stellar campaign for the Belgian playmaker. They’re also more complete now and will welcome back Benjamin Mendy, who was the only player that they really missed last season. Pep Guardiola has made this far from an open league anymore and the bookmakers have got their price spot on at 13/20.
As far as the top four is concerned, Liverpool have made all the right buys to cement a UEFA Champions League spot. Despite not doing the transfer business Jose Mourinho had hoped for, Manchester United have kept the same players who finished second last time out – so they should be there again as well. Arsenal have addressed some of their weak areas from previous campaigns, making five new defensive-minded signings so they should round up the top four, for me.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
Aaron Crowie says Arsenal – (20/1)
Arsenal are valued at a tempting 20/1 to win the league and I might be a Gooner myself but this is the first time I have ever tipped them to do so. As an Arsenal supporter it was sad to see Arsene Wenger go but Unai Emery looks to have fit the club like a glove.
The Gunners have bolstered their squad with five new and exciting recruits – all defensive minded – in an attempt to at least reclaim top four, including Bernd Leno, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. The new boss in the hot seat promises counter-pressing football and a team that will challenge for top honours. Pre-season has seen Arsenal show off their capability and as the season progresses, I can only see the Gunners going from strength-to-strength.
Top Four
1. Arsenal
2. Manchester City
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham
Jason Dewey says Manchester City – (13/20)
Manchester City will surely make it back to back titles in the 2018/19 season, although they’ll be run a lot closer than they were last time out. Liverpool appear to be the best equipped to deliver the sort of challenge the Citizens lacked last year, but I do feel Jurgen Klopp’s men will fall just short. Arsenal have strengthened in key areas and could find themselves back in the mix. Meanwhile, Spurs have yet to make any additions to their squad, at the time of writing.
Everyone knows that you need to spend in order to stand still in this league. They’re only three injuries away from a potential crisis at the moment. That leaves Manchester United and Chelsea to miss out. I just don’t think United will challenge this season with Jose Mourinho at the helm. He’s a festering boil on the face of one of Europe’s proudest clubs and his endless unhappiness with his squad appears to be having an effect on his players. Chelsea are in a rebuilding phase at the minute and aren’t really expected to challenge.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
Wayde Dorkin says Manchester City – (13/20)
In my view Manchester City are by far the best Premier League team. They have a complete squad with the right balance and ample quality. However, with the label of “champions” Pep Guardiola will have his hands full week in and week out trying to defend a Premier League title. As a Liverpool fan myself, I am tired of hearing that “this is the year”.
However, I feel like this could well be the year. Jurgen Klopp is a great manager that has some valuable EPL experience now. He has strengthened his squad, bringing in a quality goalkeeper in Alisson, and two highly-rated midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho as well as added attacking depth with the acquisition of Xherdan Shaqiri. If you look at their competition only Manchester City look true title contenders. Arsenal could surprise after finally letting go of Arsene Wenger, Manchester United look in for a topsy-turvy season with Moanrinho and Chelsea and Tottenham will need their stars to really shine to stand a decent shot at the title. I predict a close title race between Manchester City and Liverpool but I just can’t see Liverpool lifting a Premier League title, that’s probably because I’ve never seen it.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Chelsea
Banele Pikwa says Manchester City – (13/20)
To be honest, there haven’t been any big star signings in the Premier League so far, those Ronaldo and Neymar type of signings that automatically put the team in a different position. With that said, I’m expecting Manchester City to continue where they left off last season.
Liverpool will provide the greatest threat to City ‘s bid to retain their Premier League crown after signing top-class shot-stopper Alisson, a position that needed strengthening and keeping all their players from last season. Tottenham have made some questionable decisions which might cost them a top four spot and playing their first four games away might even be more difficult.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
Chad Nagel says Manchester City – (13/20)
Let me start by saying I correctly picked the last two Premier League title winners (Chelsea and Manchester City) and I feel even more confident now than I did before. For the first time this decade, the reigning Premier League champions could retain their crown. Pep Guardiola has held on to all of his key players and added Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City to an already stacked offensive squad.
City should go into the new season where they left off with the belief that they are capable of beating anyone in the Premier League home or away. There’s a feeling that only one team can stop them: Liverpool. The Reds have strengthened their squad and should make a push for the title, but Guardiola’s side should pip them to top spot. I’ll back Manchester United to finish third and Chelsea to creep into fourth spot, but it will be very close.
Top Four
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Chelsea
